‘‘I Want You I Warn You” by Janita: Review
Photo Credit: Taylor Ballantyne
Janita’s latest release, “I Want You I Warn You,” is poised to make waves as the second single from her highly anticipated tenth studio album, Mad Equation, set to drop in May. Following the record-breaking success of her single “Real Deal,” which amassed nearly 250,000 streams across platforms and secured spots on editorial playlists like Spotify’s New Music Friday and Apple Music’s New In Alternative, Janita’s momentum is undeniable. With glowing praise from critics on four continents, the stage is set for “I Want You I Warn You” to continue her ascent as a fearless and boundary-pushing artist.
The single isn’t just a love song—it’s a bold statement of intent. “This is a song of a woman telling someone, ‘I want you, watch out,’” Janita explains. “The song isn’t a threat—in fact, it’s a love song—but it seems now that women simply saying what they want and how they want it is threatening to some. To many, actually.” In an industry historically dominated by men, Janita’s unapologetic artistry and self-possession reflect a larger conversation about women asserting their voices in all spaces. “This is me as a woman, taking charge and owning my place in this world. And that act—right now—is not just personal. It’s political.”
Photo Credit: Taylor Ballantyne
Co-produced, recorded, and mixed by Blake Morgan (Lenny Kravitz, Lesley Gore), the track captures Janita’s unique ability to intertwine raw vulnerability with unshakable power. The guitars, arrangement, and production mirror the song’s message, creating a visceral and commanding experience. “I Want You I Warn You” embodies Janita’s evolution as an artist who defies conventions and genre boundaries, much like her contemporaries PJ Harvey and St. Vincent.
Janita’s journey to this moment is as compelling as her music. Born in Finland, she began her musical path early, learning to sing before she could talk and composing her first songs by the age of four. By her teenage years, she was a bona fide star in her home country, with The Daily Telegraph declaring her “Finland’s biggest pop star.” However, her ambitions extended beyond the constraints of the mainstream music industry. After relocating to New York at seventeen and landing an American record deal with Sony, she quickly realized the limitations of major-label expectations. Janita laughs when recounting how she was assigned a “trainer” to teach her to walk and sit “like a lady.” She recalls, “I was like, look, I already know how to walk, man. I’m good.”
Photo Credit: Taylor Ballantyne
That rebellious streak led her to chart her own path, releasing a series of independent records that earned her a devoted global following. With Mad Equation, Janita fully embraces her multifaceted identity. “The title Mad Equation is about trying to do the math to figure someone out,” she explains. “I think it’s fair to say that over the course of my career, people have been trying to figure me out too. Am I the long-haired blonde soul singer? Am I the Finnish teenage star? Am I the American alternative rock ’n’ roller? Gosh, I’m just such a problem. So, maybe I’m a mad equation for some. Well, with this new record, problem solved.” Critics and fans have been quick to recognize Janita’s dynamic talent and unwavering independence.
As “I Want You I Warn You” debuts, it solidifies Janita’s place as an artist who challenges expectations, creating music that’s as empowering as it is deeply personal. With her fearless creativity and refusal to conform, Janita continues to inspire audiences worldwide, proving she’s just getting started.
“I Want You I Warn You” is out now on all major streaming platforms
