Jarvis Cocker Gives a Shout Out To Famed House Legend Frankie Knuckles On New Track “Must I Evolve?”

Must you evolve? Yes, you really must; according to Jarvis Cocker’s new single for the JARV IS.. Experience, anyway. The new single, “Must I Evolve?” features a name drop of notorious house music icon Frankie Knuckles, who sadly passed in 2014, as reported by mxdwn, by means of the line “Dragging my knuckles/listening to Frankie Knuckles,” as reported by Pitchfork.

“Must I Evolve” is a near seven-minute tale that weaves a story of existentialism that anyone can relate to. The almost psychedelic beat provided by heavy drums would not be out of place at the original Woodstock, and Cocker’s vocals recall that of the punk bands of the 1970s, specifically The Who and Pink Floyd. It is the perfect blend of vintage and modern and because of that, has an appeal that can absolutely range from the Baby Boomers to Gen Z. With it’s emphasis on storytelling, thinly veiled anti-society messages, and droning, almost spoken-word, vocals, “Must I Evolve?” would not feel out of place as a track on The Wall.

The chorus discusses how society molds us into what we are supposed to be with a call and response “Must I Evolve?/ Yes, yes, yes yes./Must I change?/Must I develop?/Can I stay the same?/No, no, no, no/” and. “Must I Grow up?/Yes, yes, yes, yes/Must I grow old?/Must I join in?/And do as I’m told?” The rest of the song discusses evolutionary themes such the theory of how humanity evolved from two single cells. The track is a delight and is not available to be bought as it is primarily meant to be experienced live at the JARV IS… Experience, however, you can actually listen to on YouTube.

The JARV IS… Experience is a live show featuring the talents of Cocker, who has only just started to release music again in the past few years after a hiatus that started in 2009 and ended in 2016, as reported by mxdwn. The JARV IS… Experience also features the talents of Serafina Steer, Emma Smith, Andrew McKinney, Jason Buckle & Adam Betts. They want their music to be a live experience because “life is a live experience,” as explained in a press release sent to mxdwn.