Singer-songwriter and indie pop artist BJSR (Benjamin Rivet) has breathed new life into his 2019 ballad, I Need You, delivering a remix that amplifies both its sonic depth and emotional weight. With production by PINEL, this version transforms the song’s introspective tone into a euphoric, high-energy experience that captivates listeners from the first note.
At its core, I Need You explores the universal truth that human connection is essential. BJSR reflects, “Reliance or dependency on someone else is often seen as a bad or negative thing, but this song is an internal and interpersonal acknowledgment that needing the love and support of others is not only ok but wonderful.”
The remix enhances this sentiment with immersive percussion, modern synth textures, and layered vocal harmonies that build toward an exhilarating climax. The track’s progression—from uncertainty to affirmation—feels like an emotional catharsis, perfectly complemented by the soaring hook, “I know I need you.”
BJSR’s signature intricate guitar work and looped beatboxing remain, but the addition of Dave Zup’s dynamic vocal bridge injects a new level of energy and contrast into the track. His performance adds a layer of hip-hop-infused romanticism, seamlessly intertwining with BJSR’s heartfelt delivery.
By fusing elements of indie folk, pop, and electronica, BJSR and PINEL craft a genre-bending remix that feels both refreshing and emotionally resonant. The contrast between organic instrumentation and electronic flourishes creates a sonic landscape that is as unpredictable as it is satisfying.
BJSR’s artistic vision extends beyond music, and the accompanying music video for “I Need You” is a testament to his innovation. Filmed and produced entirely by BJSR in a single take, the video uses WiFi HDMI transmitters, RGB LED panels, and a TV screen background to create an “infinity loop” effect—achieved in-camera without post-production trickery. The result is a hypnotic, surreal visual that perfectly mirrors the remix’s layered, immersive soundscape.
The I Need You remix is now available on all streaming platforms, and the mesmerizing visual companion is live on YouTube. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering BJSR for the first time, this remix promises an unforgettable listening experience.
The remix of "I Need You" brings a whole new energy to the original track. What inspired you to revisit this song, and how did the collaboration with PINEL and Dave Zup shape the final version?
This remix actually came about a little differently than most I think. Ronnie (PINEL) was one of the producers of the original recordings back in 2019. And some of the instrument recordings actually go back to around 2012, so he is very familiar with the stem files and the song. Unlike a lot of remixes that are commissioned or done by unfamiliar artists and then presented to the label for distribution, Ronnie surprised me recently with an almost finished version of the song that he had been working on without my knowledge. I was blown away by the arrangement and how his unique production style took the song to a different place sonically. The addition of the bridge from my buddy and longtime collaborator Dave Zup was just icing on the cake and added a level of emotion and climax to the songwriting that I feel gives it even more complexity and heart. I loved the mix so much that I decided to put it out and create a unique video for the song.
Your music often blends intricate guitar work, looped beatboxing, and layered vocals. How did you develop this signature sound, and how has it evolved over the years?
I got my start as an acoustic guitar around the campfire singer-songwriter and spent most of high school and college playing solo or in bands, just beating the crap out of4 chords on my guitar and singing as loudly as I could over top of that.
When I got a looping station right out of college, it opened up a new world of arranging, writing, performing, and production that I feel infiltrates all of my songs and recordings these days. The act of using a looping station and beatboxing has always been more for live performances and the traditional, polished multi-take, multi-track style of studio recordings. But as I've grown older, I've blended the two together.
The "infinity loop" effect in your music video is visually stunning. Can you walk us through the creative and technical process of filming it in a single take without post-production editing?
That effect was actually a pretty happy accident… I was setting up my camera and the RGB light for a different style shot that I wanted to get a screen test of to share with some of my producers. I was looking for a Wi-Fi transmitter/receiver unit and forgot that it was plugged into the TV that I was using as a black backdrop.
When the receiver kicked the TV on automatically, I realized that the infinity loop effect was happening between my camera and the TV. I decided to roll with it and did a full take of the song and just let the lights and video effects go wild. The result is what you see in the music video, and I love it so much. I was alone in my studio, pouring my heart out into the performance, and the auto-focus was going wild, trying to keep up with me.
I think the combination of analog real-time effects mixed with hyper-fast resolution and auto-focus creates a trippy visual and pulls the viewer into the song even more.
You mentioned that the song is an acknowledgment of the importance of needing others. How has this theme of connection and dependency resonated with your audience, and what personal experiences influenced the song’s message?
I played this song hundreds of times for various shows and events in my career. It's one of my oldest songs and has grown with me as I've learned more and more about myself and my relationship with others in the world around me.
Showing vulnerability and admitting to needing help is something I must've realized at an early age when writing the song, but I have continued to realize how important it is in my life. I've heard from a lot of my fans that the theme and sentiment behind this song is something that brought him a lot of peace and strength. I hope that the remix of this song and the accompanying music video highlight the power that a revelation like that can have on the way that you look at the world and the people around you.
With JRNYMN Productions, you've built a career that merges music, visual art, and digital storytelling. How do you balance these creative mediums, and what drives your desire to push artistic and technological boundaries?
Being a “creative” in this era of content overload is a little daunting. With all of the technology and instruments and cameras and recording equipment, it can be difficult to decide where and what to put my focus on.
I've tried to lean into all of these amazing tools as a way to continue to hone my craft as an artist, songwriter, and producer and not get too bogged down in the insane capability we all have of creating more and more content every day. Learning how to differentiate between what I think is good and what I think is worthy of sharing is the challenge of any artist in history.
Fortunately, the world of social media and technology has created a huge amount of influence on my artistic and creative brain. Now, it is just a matter of discerning how to dial up or down the flood of information and inspiration and get to work.