by Chris Hatch

Lancaster native, now Sheffield based Mr Ben & The Bens’ second single for Bella Union is a lazy, hazy, horn-drenched ballad that sees the Secret Meeting favourites continue their move away from all-out-poppiness, and head even more towards more thoughtful, considered territory after last year’s narrative exploration – Who Knows Jenny Jones?.

The Bens spread out a pillowy, languid, 3/4 time signature sway for Mr Ben to delicately dot his not-quite-falsetto vocals over, in the kind of warmly comforting musical hug that feels like it’s much needed right now. With lyrics that hint at a sense or self-doubt, and tiptoe along with a flicker of trepidation – ‘what if we made it, and then totally faded?’ – it’s clear that Mr Ben & The Bens’ perennially sunny skies aren’t immune from the odd passing of clouds on the closing track from upcoming record, Life Drawing.

As woodwind, brass, and twilight-hued acoustic guitars shuffle along, its apparent that Mr Ben & The Bens have a knack for making anything and everything sound delightful… even wistful swathes of melancholy.

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