MUSIC FOR YOUR EARS Discover the REVIEW of Are We Gonna By Anirban Jee

With Are We Gonna, Anirban Jee delivers a mesmerising slice of modern pop-R&B that
brims with rhythmic flair, emotion, and sophisticated musicality. At once evocative and
immediate, the track positions Jee as not just a formidable songwriter, but a sonic
architect — one capable of blending danceable rhythms with heartfelt introspection, all
within the confines of a tightly produced single that demands both movement and
reflection.
From the moment the track opens, it radiates polish. Producer Tony Cvetkovski
constructs a silky, contemporary backdrop that pulses with low-end warmth and
shimmering detail. It’s a sonic landscape that’s meticulously built — groovy yet lush,
accessible yet multi-dimensional. The instrumental is grounded in pop-dance sensibility,
but with flourishes of classic R&B: smooth synth pads, funky guitar riffs, and just
enough brass accents to hint at vintage soul influences. Yet, the track never slips into
imitation. It feels vibrant, of-the-moment, and distinctly Anirban.
Vocally, Jee shines. His performance is fluid and expressive, matching technical control
with emotional authenticity. There’s a confidence in his phrasing, a quiet charisma that
invites the listener into the track’s narrative with ease. His voice glides over the
production, especially during the chorus, where melodic hooks are delivered with clarity
and allure. The lyrical refrain — ‘Are we gonna take this chance tonight?’ — echoes in
the ear, not just catchy but meaningful, reflecting the romantic urgency the song so
beautifully conveys.
Lyrically, Are We Gonna explores the electric uncertainty of a new connection — those
first moments of eye contact, the unspoken tension, the emotional gamble of turning
attraction into something more. Jee handles this theme with both intimacy and
sophistication. His words are conversational yet poetic, drawing listeners into a story
they recognise from their own lives. The verses unfold like real-time reflections, while
the bridge acts as a subtle emotional detour, revealing a deeper longing beneath the
flirtation.
What elevates the song beyond standard pop fare is its structure. Jee and Cvetkovski
don’t just build verse-chorus cycles — they craft an arc. The bridge, in particular, stands
out. Arriving unexpectedly, it shifts the harmonic palette and introduces a dynamic twist
that deepens the narrative and musical resonance. It’s a reminder that Jee isn’t simply
writing to formula — he’s building journeys. These small structural choices — the
elegant lifts, the perfectly timed breaks, the breath before the final chorus — make all
the difference.
The track’s tempo invites movement, but its true power lies in its emotional precision.
There’s an inherent cinematic quality to the way the instrumentation builds and recedes,
how the saxophone glides in like a whisper, how the rhythm section locks into a groove
without overpowering the vocal. It’s smouldering, yes — but never showy. Every
element exists in service of the song’s emotional arc.
In the context of Jee’s broader work, Are We Gonna feels like a landmark release. It
shows his strengths — melodic ingenuity, lyrical finesse, stylistic versatility — and
refines them into something deeply listenable and universally affecting. His
background, shaped by collaborations with industry stalwarts and a track record of radio
and chart success, is evident in the song’s confident execution. Yet, what’s most
striking is the authenticity. There’s no pretence here — just a genuine desire to express
something real and musically compelling.
There’s also a timelessness to this track. While grounded in modern production, it hints
at the sensuality of ‘90s R&B, the melodic richness of early 2000s pop, and even the
emotional honesty of singer-songwriters like Maxwell or Seal. Yet, Jee’s sound remains
uniquely his own. He doesn’t borrow; he reinterprets. He weaves influence into
originality.
Are We Gonna is more than a dance track. It’s a sonic narrative about the thrill of
emotional possibility. It’s about the moment before a first kiss, the pause before a
decision, the heartbeat that quickens not just with desire, but with hope. In less capable
hands, such themes risk cliché — but Jee elevates them, embedding nuance and depth
into a genre that often settles for surface.
This is music made with intention. It’s catchy but layered, smooth yet impactful.
Whether played in a club, on a late-night drive, or through headphones in solitude, Are
We Gonna adapts to its environment — shapeshifting between moods while maintaining
its emotional core.
In a music world saturated with instant gratification and forgettable hooks, Anirban Jee
offers something richer: a song that sticks with you, one that grows more rewarding
with each listen. Are We Gonna is a magnetic fusion of art and accessibility, a confident
declaration of an artist operating at the height of his songwriting powers — not just a
strong single, but a statement.
Review made by Lucy Cicioni