The Beatportal Residency: Need For Mirrors

His third studio album, “Joey Tuna”, and first for Souped Up, dives into a surreal concept that blends art, sound, and character. Need For Mirrors explains:
"It started as a nickname and a sketch of a character, but the more I leaned into it, the more it made sense as a world of its own. I was fascinated by Katsuo Ningen, this surreal Japanese tuna mascot — it’s creepy and endearing at the same time, which felt like the perfect metaphor for my sound. Once I realised the music could live underwater, it became a full concept. Joey Tuna became a way to explore that duality."

The project balances playful visuals with introspective music:
"Yeah, absolutely. I’ve always been drawn to contrasts — Joey Tuna swims right in that space. The playfulness is the mask; underneath it is something much deeper. The sound is layered. It’s like a rave in slow motion underwater — everything’s glowing, distorted, and slightly surreal."

Moses’ UK roots remain central to the sound:
"The UK sound is in my DNA. It’s not something I try to chase — it just comes out that way. The sense of space, tension, and rhythm that runs through UK club music — jungle, grime, garage, dubstep, techno — it all feeds into what I do. Joey Tuna is a mix of all those currents."

Collaborations, like Serum on “Tekkers,” came naturally:
"With Serum, it’s easy. We share similar instincts and an understanding of space in a tune — knowing when to go minimal, when to let the bass breathe. When the label head is also on the track, there’s trust there; he knows what fits the project. Tekkers just landed naturally — a proper Souped Up moment within the Joey Tuna world."

The album flows over 60 minutes, curated for movement and atmosphere:
"The album has a flow and a pace — it’s a journey over 60 minutes. The sampler is like a surface ripple, and the album is the deep dive. The order was all about movement — from heavy pressure to moments of lightness and back again."

Physical formats also play a role:
"Definitely. There’s a tactile nostalgia about tapes, vinyl, merch — things you can hold onto. In a digital world, physical formats are like anchors. They give the music weight and permanence."

And now that it’s complete:
"Finishing Joey Tuna felt like surfacing for air. It’s a complete world, so I’m proud of that. But yeah, my brain doesn’t really stop — there’s always something new forming under the surface. Maybe Joey’s next swim will take him somewhere stranger."

“Joey Tuna” combines playful concept, cinematic production, and deep drum and bass, making it a standout release on Souped Up. Listen on Beatportal, SoundCloud, and Mixcloud, and follow Need For Mirrors’ journey as he continues to push the genre forward.