Benny Sings - Music Review
The sophisticated hip-hop funk-pop gems across Music are straight from the uplands, a feat of positivity and celebration at a time when it is desperately needed.
Remarkably, Dutch pop producer Tim van Berkestijn, better known as Benny Sings, is on his eighth solo album in Music, his second record on Stones Throw, featuring names as notable as Tom Misch and Mac DeMarco. His prominence in the UK and USA really came about in the late 2010s, especially after collaboration with Rex Orange County on ‘Loving is Easy’. For those unfamiliar with Benny’s music, it’s the exact not-so-underground jazzy hip-pop you’d expect from a friend of Misch, Rex and DeMarco, Music is a slick, colourful pocket of sunshine that plays out over ten tracks. Despite its ease and comfort, there’s a sophistication to the melodies and songwriting that have earned Benny a well-earned cult following, that may be ready perhaps, to share him with a new bunch of fans.
Music is undeniably upbeat and comforting. There’s warmth throughout, a gentle smile and a sway induced in every track. Latest single ‘Here It Comes’ is a headphone-wearing urban evening stroll accompanied by flickering keystrokes and tapping basslines. ‘Sunny Afternoon’ takes the urban stroll and puts a spring in its step and becomes a meander around the city park on a golden, cloudless day. The positivity and celebration are infectious, and it feels as though the song could soothe rain clouds from its opening brushes. The infectious celebration is even more prominent though in the title track ‘Music’, celebrating the magic of its subject and its ability to transcend and uplift despite everything. Benny asks “music, help me through this,” and it uses smooth brass and sparkling keys to energise against the overstimulation and epidemics of our world.
The DeMarco-featuring ‘Rolled Up’ is as close to the opposite of upbeat we can find on Music; Mac’s deadpan vocal ices reflective piano strokes and ponderous funk-bass in a track about feeling blue without particular reason. The section of “La”s towards the song’s close is reminiscent of dragging yourself out of the blue and into the golden feeling, even if the blue of ‘Rolled Up’ isn’t particularly deep to begin with. The track gives way to ‘Lost Again’ which jumps and skips on another bright day, Benny singing that he “can be your sunshine even in the dark”. It’s worth noting Benny’s vocals at this stage, he seems most comfortable at the higher end of his range, and almost creature-esque in its countertenor level croons, perhaps clearest in the semi-orchestral ‘Break Away’.
The album’s opener ‘Nobody’s Fault’ includes the most earworm-like piano lines and a standout vocal performance and sticky chorus. It also includes a Tom Misch special guitar solo. Sings shows his excellent ability to collaborate and write with other artists, particularly in the second half of the album. The clearest hip-hop infusion here is ‘Kids’ which features L.A. rapper and singer KYLE, perfectly complimenting Benny’s vocals and drum samples. Benny and Cautious Clay fall into perfect place on the chilled ‘Run Right Back’ and the gospel-influenced ‘Miracles’ features guest vocal from Emily King to rapturous, shimmering joy.
The sophisticated hip-hop funk-pop gems across Music are straight from the uplands, a feat of positivity and celebration at a time when it is desperately needed. Benny Sings’ eighth record may not push boundaries but it is succinctly confident and effective at what it does. Guest appearances from Cautious Clay, Mac DeMarco and KYLE perfectly complement Benny’s own songwriting and joyful instrumentation. Music has such a charm; it shows us that Benny Sings is more than deserving of a place away from the cult following and beside his friends Rex, Mac and Tom.