You Know What I Need

"You Know What I Need" is a song by Australian electronic trio Pnau and Australian singer Troye Sivan, released through Etcetc on 2 December 2022.

In a statement, PNAU's Nick Littlemore said "Working with Troye again has been amazing. When we wrote this song, we had no idea that we will get so lucky to have Troye Sivan singing and bringing his unbridled creativity to the world of PNAU." Sivan said "I'm so happy this song is coming out just before the Australian summer, it sounds like a beach festival to me, and I am stoked to have it out."

The song comes paired with an immersive video from Polish collective Melt, that transforms a cell phone-recorded video of Sivan into an outer space. The trippy psychedelic visual are, according to video producer Kuba Matka, inspired by the stargate sequence from 2001: A Space Odyssey.

At the AIR Awards of 2023, the song was nominated for Best Independent Dance, Electronica or Club Single.

At the 2023 ARIA Music Awards, the song was nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Release.

At the APRA Music Awards of 2024, the song was nominated for Most Performed Dance/Electronic Work.

Critical reception

Tyler Jenke from Music Feeds called the song a "summery pop anthem" that "places Pnau[']s eclectic electronic instrumentation alongside Sivan's soaring vocals."

Greta Brereton from NME called it "a fitting blend of Sivan's easygoing pop and the energetic dance music Pnau are known for, with smatterings of upbeat synth, catchy production and soaring vocals".

Politica Mente Corretto felt that "Troye's enveloping falsetto ties into the immediacy and elegance of Pnau's sound, making 'You Know What I Need' a perfect combination of radio pop and modern disco groove."

Joost Landzaat from Nieuweplaat wrote, "The track is reminiscent of the music Years & Years and is about not being able to live without someone, but also not being able to be with them."

Charts

References