Lifeline by Pete Josef
Pete Josef returns with Lifeline, a bold and exuberant pop track that puts melody and message front and centre. Built around in-the-room spontaneity and creative freedom, Lifeline takes a different turn from 2025’s introspective Looking Up, offering a raw, direct anthem of solidarity and hope. It stands uniquely within the upcoming Lifeline EP as a call to action and an ode to unity.
At its heart, Lifeline reflects Josef’s ongoing commitment to community and social consciousness. This time, he turns his attention to the younger generation of activists—those confronting the urgent issues of our time. Drawing from personal relationships with young changemakers, Josef writes from the voice of an older, seemingly “wiser” character—one who ironically urges the youth to play it safe and conform:
“You got ideas above your station, boy get off of your horse,
We all get carried away sometimes, oh I know we all get lost in the wild
But the world is so easy if you’d just do your job and stay the wrong side of history.”
The chorus breaks free of that restraint, bursting into a euphoric rooftop chant:
“Call me, call me, call me any name in this world
We are every colour and every…
Face up to the music, don’t be so illusive
It’s cool to be kind, won’t you throw me a lifeline.”
It’s a message of unity and empowerment, encouraging everyone—including Josef himself—to show courage, speak out, and join the fight for a better future.
Musically, Lifeline is anchored by Josef’s soulful electric guitar—his 1965 Harmony Bobcat run through a Fender Princeton amp, creating a warm, chorus-rich sound with subtle grit. The folky, driving blues feel is complemented by hooky guitar ornaments and uplifting post-chorus riffs. Layered vocal harmonies in the chorus recall the soaring spirit of ’70s and ’80s vocal greats like The Doobie Brothers and Chicago.
Both Lifeline and the full Lifeline EP will appear on Josef’s forthcoming album, alongside the Defence EP—further cementing his reputation as one of Sonar Kollektiv’s most visionary and socially engaged artists.
Pete Josef has always been a soul boy at heart, but his Multi-instrumental skill's have led him into some interesting situations. He has for years been recording and playing live with with Roni Size and Reprazent, and fronts and co-produces the lo-fi house duo White Lamp with Darren Emerson (underworld). As album two is already bubbling in his mind, his focus now will be his new live trio.