Photo by: Jon A Hererra
With ‘Someone’s Got To’, London-based singer-songwriter CATLEA delivers their most vulnerable and affecting work to date. Serving as the first glimpse of the forthcoming EP Aftermath, the single strips away any remaining barriers between artist and audience, transforming deeply personal experiences of addiction, recovery and self-worth into a quietly powerful anthem of resilience.
While CATLEA’s catalogue has comfortably navigated alternative rock, indie-pop, Americana and electronic collaborations, ‘Someone’s Got To’ finds them embracing a more intimate musical landscape. Built around warm acoustic guitar, understated live drums and spacious production, the arrangement gives every lyric room to breathe. Rather than relying on grand gestures, the song’s strength lies in its emotional restraint, allowing its message to resonate with remarkable clarity.
The track’s emotional centre is encapsulated in one simple yet devastating line: “If you won’t love me, then I will.” Initially delivered like a fragile plea, it gradually transforms into a statement of self-belief, mirroring the difficult but rewarding process of recovery itself. It’s a lyrical shift that feels earned rather than manufactured, making the song’s emotional payoff all the more satisfying.
CATLEA approaches the subject of sobriety with refreshing honesty. Instead of framing recovery as a singular breakthrough or tidy resolution, ‘Someone’s Got To’ acknowledges the uncomfortable reality of change: confronting unhealthy habits, questioning long-held patterns, and learning to choose yourself every single day. That willingness to sit with uncertainty gives the song an authenticity that many recovery narratives often overlook.
Vocally, CATLEA delivers one of their strongest performances to date. There is an intimacy to their delivery that draws listeners into every line, balancing vulnerability with quiet determination. As the arrangement slowly builds, so too does the emotional conviction behind the performance, culminating in a finale that feels less like catharsis and more like hard-won acceptance.
Knowing the story behind the song only deepens its impact. Left unfinished after an emotional breakdown during a recording session, ‘Someone’s Got To’ could only be completed once CATLEA had genuinely embraced sobriety. That journey is woven into every note, giving the single a rare sense of lived experience rather than retrospective reflection. The result is music that doesn’t simply tell a story of healing, but actively embodies it.
Musically, the production remains beautifully understated throughout. Gentle acoustic textures, subtle percussion and tasteful instrumentation never overshadow the songwriting, instead creating an atmosphere that feels warm, intimate and quietly hopeful. It’s a reminder that powerful songs don’t require excess; sometimes honesty alone is enough.
Following an impressive run of sold-out headline shows, extensive UK touring and millions of streams worldwide, CATLEA continues to evolve with each release. Yet ‘Someone’s Got To’ feels like a defining artistic moment, one where technical ability and emotional truth align perfectly.
As the opening chapter of Aftermath, the single sets an incredibly high bar. Honest without becoming heavy-handed, uplifting without resorting to cliché, and deeply personal while remaining universally relatable, ‘Someone’s Got To’ stands as CATLEA’s most compelling work yet. It is ultimately a song about choosing yourself when nobody else can, and in doing so, offers comfort to anyone learning that healing often begins with the quiet decision to stay.
