Hira strikes out on his own with the lovelorn “Just When I”

Listen to the U.K. artist’s take on the classic new jack swing sound.

October 23, 2020

Last time we heard from Hira was this summer as part of Summer 2020, a six-song EP released by Jai Paul and A. K. Paul’s Paul Institute. Hira has come up through that label, making Control-era Janet Jackson pop through a future-facing lens. Today he drops new song "Just When I," further committing to providing a soundtrack to the cyberpunk rom-com that lives in all of our minds.

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"Just When I" ( produced by Hira alongside Mahir Mistry) mixes kinetic textures and chrome-plated synths with the kind of slick melodies and clean hooks that carried new jack swing artists like Teddy Riley, Bell Biv DeVoe and Keith Sweat to stardom in the late '80s.

Speaking to The FADER about "Just When I," Hira said: "I wrote this song over lockdown when I realised I didn’t really know someone as well as I thought. It happens a lot so I thought I better make a tune about it. It was fun to put that feeling over these grooves and sounds that reminded me of house parties growing up, where you could hear big harmonies and riffs over some mad beats. Hoping to bring some of that fun and light into a dark year."

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Hira's "Just When I" is streaming now alongside fellow new song "Don't Question It!"

Hira strikes out on his own with the lovelorn “Just When I”