Sunjay is an award-winning artist whose music draws on Americana, old-school rock ’n’ roll, country, blues, and roots, blending timeless songs with a fresh, contemporary energy. Sunjay releases a vibrant new take on the classic love song ahead of the release of his new studio album, “Split The Sheets” which will be released September 18th, 2026.
It Must Be Love is written by Robert Lee McDill and famously recorded by Don Williams. The track arrives ahead of Sunjay’s forthcoming tenth studio album, a record that explores the many shades of love, heartbreak, and human connection. The new single captures love in its simplest and most joyful form. Warm, playful, and driven by a lively groove, Sunjay’s version retains the timeless directness of McDill’s songwriting while giving it a fresh, energetic band arrangement.
The release follows Sunjay’s recent appearance on BBC Radio 2’s “ The Blues Show” with Cerys Matthews, as well as a live interview with David Freeman on Jazz FM , further demonstrating the breadth of his appeal across blues, roots, country, and rock.
Blending old-school rock ’n’ roll, blues, roots and country influences with effortless authenticity, Sunjay has developed a sound that is unmistakably his own. Split The Sheets represents a new high point in his recording career, combining beautifully produced songs with outstanding musicianship and arrangements full of character.
Sunjay first encountered ‘It Must Be Love’ through Don Williams’ recording and was immediately drawn to its simplicity. “I first heard ‘It Must Be Love’ by Don Williams and loved the fact that it says everything it needs to say in a simple, uncomplicated way. The symptoms are fairly conclusive: you can’t sleep, you can’t think straight and you’ve developed a strange desire to sing about it. It must be love.” says Sunjay.
For his own interpretation, Sunjay wanted to preserve the warmth and ease that attracted him to the song while bringing it into the musical world of “Split The Sheets”.
“I wanted to keep that ease and warmth while giving it a brighter, more energetic band arrangement” Says Sunjay “It moves quickly, has a proper groove, and doesn’t hang around making its point for six minutes. After some of the more complicated relationships explored elsewhere on Split The Sheets, this is love at its most uncomplicated: slightly bewildered, thoroughly enjoyable, and already well beyond the point of resistance.”
The arrangement combines a brisk rhythm, tightly arranged guitars and a lively band performance, giving the recording plenty of movement while allowing McDill’s deceptively simple lyric to remain at its heart.
Sunjay adds, “Split The Sheets looks at love from just about every possible angle. Some songs arrive carrying flowers, others appear with a solicitor. ‘It Must Be Love’ sits firmly at the happier end of the record, uncomplicated, good-humoured, and enjoying itself. Sonically, it also shows what we wanted the album to be, proper songs, real musicians and arrangements with enough character to stand on their own.”
Sunjay’s musical journey began early. He won a music scholarship at school before being nominated for the **BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award in 2012**, aged just 17. Since then, he has shared stages with acclaimed acts including Steeleye Span, Curved Air, Fairport Convention and Mud Morganfield.
His talent has earned praise from some of the country’s leading broadcasters with Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2 describing Sunjay as “One of the best young pickers and singers around.” and Iain Anderson, BBC Radio Scotland saying, “One of the UK’s finest young Blues stars.” Blues Matters Magazine describes the album Split The Sheets as, “A powerful, modern, and very vibrant piece of work, an album that positively fizzes with life, groove and emotional honesty.”
Sunjay will celebrate the release of Split The Sheets with an album launch party at St George’s Hall, Bewdley, on 18 September, performing with the Mighty Tight Band.
Live Dates
18 September – St George’s Hall, Bewdley – Album Launch Party with the Mighty Tight Band
2 October – Trottiscliffe Village Hall, West Malling
14 November – Foyer Folk at Number 8, Pershore
With It Must Be Love, Sunjay offers a warm, upbeat introduction to an album that promises to explore the full emotional spectrum of relationships, from the uncomplicated joy of falling in love to the more complicated realities that come afterwards.
It Must Be Love s OUT NOW on all digital platforms:
https://ditto.fm/it-must-be-love-radio-edit
Split The Sheets will be released September 18th, 2026
Pre-orders now open via https://www.sunjay.tv/