Isabella Chiarini: "Gotta Be" (Stripped Version)
Isabella Chiarini’s new single “Gotta Be” (Stripped Version), arriving February 25th, 2026, is a masterclass in restraint and emotional clarity. In an era where overproduction often masks vulnerability, Chiarini does the opposite—she leans into stillness.
The track immediately calls to mind Peter Gabriel’s haunting interpretation of The Book of Love—not in imitation, but in spirit. There’s the same reverent pacing, the same patient unfolding of melody, and that sacred-feeling space between notes where emotion quietly swells.
The stripped arrangement is the song’s greatest strength. A warm grand piano anchors the production, its tone intimate and unhurried. Each chord feels intentional, allowing Isabella’s vocal to sit front and center. Her delivery is unguarded yet controlled—never pushing, never oversinging. Instead, she trusts the lyric.
The orchestral string arrangement elevates the track from simple ballad to cinematic confession. The strings don’t overwhelm; they breathe. They rise subtly beneath the chorus, creating a sense of emotional lift that feels earned rather than manufactured. It’s heartfelt without tipping into sentimentality.
What makes “Gotta Be” compelling is its emotional honesty. The stripped format reveals the architecture of the songwriting—the melody is strong, the phrasing deliberate, and the message universal. There’s a quiet maturity here, suggesting an artist who understands that power doesn’t always come from volume—it comes from truth.
