Collaborations releases “You Gotta Know”

Led by Ed Daniels of Stratford in Connecticut, Collaborations is a musical project that offers something truly human, presenting a heartfelt homage to an era when songs were built on storytelling, soul and musicianship flair. Drawing inspiration from the golden age of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, Collaborations breathes new life into retro-styled songwriting while delivering a sound for a modern audience.

Managed and produced by Vic Steffens, the accomplished figure behind Horizon Studios, Collaborations is a melting pot of indie talent brought together under the orchestration of Matt Oestreicher. It’s a revolving door of voices and players, but what remains consistent is the timeless quality of their musical output. It’s a tribute to songwriting as an art form; warm, meaningful and lovingly arranged with live instrumentation.

After introducing themselves with the debut single “Let the Love In” last year, the project stepped up in 2025 with the release of their full-length debut, Songs From The Heart Vol. 1. Now, they’re back with a new single titled “You Gotta Know,” a song that distills the essence of Collaborations into a tight, compelling listen of soulful pop-focused music.

With clear nods to the likes of The Association, Carole King and Carly Simon, the track treads familiar ground wrapped in a nostalgic glow filtered through a contemporary lens. Written by Ed Daniels and featured vocalist Anais Preller, the song encourages listeners to question the status quo and step into awareness. Recorded at Horizon Music Group in West Haven, the track channels old-school charm through a present-day aesthetic, resulting in a dazzling listening experience from start to finish.

Anchored by Preller’s expressive vocal performance, the song features Grammy winner Scott Spray on bass while Tim Dehuff’s lead guitar adds a crisp, melodic edge throughout. Tom Naggy provides the rhythmic backbone on drums and Kevin Monroe along with Devotion’s Simone Brown round out the track with stunning backing vocals. Jumping into a breezy groove of tapped percussion, intricate guitar flickers, playful piano notes and elegant vocalisations, Anais’ alluring voice takes the lead as the slick arrangement floats around her graceful voice.

Spinning catchy melodic leads carrying heartfelt lyricism, the track glides with a mellow rhythmic energy, warm string textures flutter and superb lead guitar flourishes, crafting an absorbing sound that’s truly impossible not to love. It’s a superb showcase of the project’s enduring sound as Collaborations continues to go from strength to strength as a worthwhile creative endeavour offering magical musical moments.

Listen to You Gotta Know below

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