Jo The Man The Music – “To Be Sexy”
Photo by Friedrich Peters
Austria-based Jo The Man The Music returns to the blog with “To Be Sexy,” a song that explores insecurity wrapped in self-awareness and the pressure to present yourself as desirable.
“To Be Sexy” wastes no time getting underway, opening with a bouncy rhythm section that should instantly get your feet tapping. Jo The Man The Music comes in with a vocal performance straight out of the gate, delivering a first verse that longs for simplicity and an escape from social anxiety, which, for us, lands very close to home.
Warbling layers of rich, synthy textures fall into place as the song progresses, adding a strong sense of atmosphere to the arrangement. The refrain shifts just enough to become infectious, circling the hook, “Don’t know who I am / Don’t know who I should be,” a sentiment that should resonate with many listeners, especially in an era where everyone seems weirdly convinced they’re the only one still figuring it out.
All of this is neatly packaged in a sublime vocal production, layered with dreamy harmonies that feel wonderfully akin to artists such as Philine Sonny and Katie Gregson-MacLeod. Subtle lines from a lead guitar bookmark the ends of each lyrical passage, and an acoustically driven break offers an additional level of submersion. With ebb and flow galore, “To Be Sexy” is a relatable, danceable, and introspective morsel of sound that we highly recommend consuming ASAP.