Chelle turns heartbreak into a victory lap with “HAVE TO DO,” a noirish dark-pop anthem that sounds like it belongs somewhere between a neon-lit nightclub and the closing scene of an 80s thriller. Recorded at Bluebird Studios with producer Declan Lonergan, the track marks an ambitious step forward for the artist, following a run of attention from BBC Introducing, Irish radio and publications including Hot Press and EARMILK.
Right from the opening, “HAVE TO DO” comes charging in on strong melodic production and hard-hitting beats. Pulsating bass gives the track its muscular backbone while retro-styled synth textures add a glossy, cinematic sheen. There is plenty of movement here, and it keeps the tension simmering underneath the polished electronic surface.
And then there is Chelle herself. She sings with a deliciously smug confidence, delivering every line as though she already knows she has won the argument. Her performance is sensational without becoming overly theatrical, carrying the swagger of someone who has finally realized that losing the wrong person can actually be a blessing in disguise.
Lyrically, the song flips the usual breakup narrative on its head. Rather than dwelling on rejection, Chelle positions herself as completely irreplaceable, imagining the ex discovering that his next relationship simply cannot measure up. The emotional satisfaction comes from that eventual realization: he made the mistake, and now he has to live with it.
The combination of driving 80s-inspired synth-pop, dark electronic textures and club-ready rhythm gives “HAVE TO DO” plenty of immediate appeal, while its cinematic atmosphere keeps it from feeling like just another breakup banger. Chelle is clearly having fun inhabiting the role of the woman who knows exactly what she brought to the table, and knows her ex will eventually miss it.
Sometimes, revenge is best served with a killer bassline.
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Review by: Naomi Joan