Pete Josef – Looking Up

Pete Josef Returns with Uplifting New Single, “Looking Up”

Pete Josef’s latest single, Looking Up, is a radiant blend of joy, connection, and musical exploration. Echoing the emotional essence of his debut solo album Colour, this track arrives just in time for the album’s decennial celebration, marking a decade of collaboration between Josef and Sonar Kollektiv.

Following the socially conscious Defence EP of 2024, Josef now turns his focus to themes of human connection and the pursuit of hope with his forthcoming Lifeline EP. Infused with afro grooves, highlife guitars, and Eastern jazz elements, Looking Up balances rhythmic intricacy with uplifting melodies, offering a vibrant and deeply personal listening experience.

A particularly touching moment in the song comes when Josef’s six-year-old son, Art, joins him on the refrain:

“There’s a rhythm to life’s music, you just gotta choose it.

Yeah, there’s a rhythm to life’s music, no matter where the rhythm goes, it flows, it always comes back home.”

Alongside guest vocalist Anna Ryan, Art’s presence enriches the track’s message of generational wisdom and community. The lyrics encourage listeners to seek out meaningful relationships and find belonging in open, welcoming spaces:

“There’s community, people; there’s a scene with ready open arms for you, where things are looking up.”

Instrumentally, Looking Up is driven by the distinctive double bass of longtime collaborator Jihad Darwish (Sting, Van Morrison, Moses Boyd) and the dynamic drumming of Miguel Andrews. Josef, known for his multi-instrumental talents, performs all other elements, including the song’s mesmerizing tuned percussion.

Inspired by a close friend’s journey in finding love and companionship later in life, Looking Up also carries an introspective layer—a self-directed reminder for Josef to embrace change and optimism. The track and the Lifeline EP are further influenced by Japanese art and Shintoism, philosophies that resonate with Josef for their core values of purity, harmony, and collective well-being.

Both Looking Up and the Lifeline EP will be released as part of his new album, alongside the Defence EP, solidifying Pete Josef’s place as one of Sonar Kollektiv’s most dynamic and visionary artists.