Artist: Steve Benjamins
EP: Sightlines
Insightfully realizing, and maturely embracing, that life regularly and organically changes with every connection you form is a gripping and entrancing journey that people often take as their relationships guide their views and emotions. That instinctive and natural reflection and understanding on how life’s most important external forces, most notably intimate bonds, is entrancingly chronicled in ‘Sightlines,’ the relatable and entrancing third EP from singer-songwriter, Steve Benjamins. The Toronto-based musician captivatingly chronicles the importance of accepting when to embrace change, as well as the need to be grounded when connections evolve, in his latest downtempo-indie pop album.
The EP entrancingly begins with its fascinating title track, as Benjamins draws listeners in with his subtle and minimal electric guitar playing, which features his signature downtempo beat. As the acclaimed musician begins singing the emotionally-driven vocals on ‘Sightlines,’ which was rightfully released this past spring as the EP’s second single, he entrallingly notes how he’s breaking into unknown territory in his relationship. As he notes that the person he cares about emotionally crashes into his life, he determinedly states that he’s not going to turn her away. Also supported by soothing synths and strings, he powerfully states that he wants to start over with her, as they have a calming effect on each other. Benjamins’ endearing lyrics make the title track one of the best entries on the entrancing EP.
‘Sightlines’ then grippingly moves into the other most noteworthy and captivating entry on the EP, ‘We Used to Live,’ which serves as the album’s first single. While the song takes a totally different vocal and instrumental approach to the musician’s powerful sound, it’s still one of the most fascinating approaches Benjamins takes in showcasing how people need to embraces the natural changes in life. The up-beat pop song, which features equally compelling vocals and guitars and drums, entrancingly encourages people to enjoy each night and the developments that are sure to come from each experience they have. The catchy dance track is a thrilling, feel good anthem that has the potential to serve as a soundtrack to not only people’s lives, but also in empowering and fun scenes in films and on television series.
The up-beat pop song then intriguingly leads into the soothing instrumentally-led track, ‘Devotion.’ The song alluring relies on Benjamins’ expert piano skills, and only features soft, indistinct vocal humming. The harmonies on the midtempo track reflects on embracing the calming nature of life, and are absorbingly perfect to serve as the background music for people who want to contemplate the next stages in their lives through medication.
Benjamins skillfully maintains the serene harmonies with soothing piano, guitar and string instrumentals in ‘Sightlines’ next entry, ‘Steamrooler.’ The musician also reminiscently channels James Blunt’s heartfelt and emotional lyrics and vocals as he accepts how the evolution of changes in the world around him can intimately change his life. As he reflects on how these developments influence his choices and feelings, the singer also relatably questions if it’s worth continuing his life on the path he has currently chosen.
The musician then creatively delves back into the electronic beat and high tempo instrumentals, most notably the percussion, that makes ‘We Used to Live’ so alluring with the EP’s next song, ‘Exploding Boy.’ Benjamins powerfully encourages his listeners to take action to regain control of their lives. The singer notes how as he tries to better himself and his life, his restlessness leaves him. He grippingly realizes that he needs to assess his decisions and actions so that he’ll no longer burn himself out, which gives him the mental freedom to truly enjoy life again.
As he reflects on his life’s current path and the best way he can improve himself mentally, the indie pop singer ends ‘Sightlines’ with the emotionally reflective entry, ‘Later On.’ While the song only runs for just under a minute and a half, it enthralling relies on the strings and piano to emphasize that Benjamins is truly ready to embrace the changes in his life. He captivatingly reveals that he’s looking forward to what’s coming next, and won’t let anything hold him back.
The Toronto-based indie pop singer-songwriter, who is intriguingly influenced by such musicians as Bon Iver and Patrick Watson, entrallingly chronicles the importance of accepting when to acknowledge change, as well as the need to be grounded when connections evolve, in his latest downtempo EP, ‘Sightlines.’ From the powerful title track, which instantly draws listeners into Benjamins’ desire to embrace the emotional changes in his life, to the upbeat ‘We Used to Live,’ which energetically encourages people to enjoy where life takes them, the musician’s third EP is grippingly relatable and insightful. The album compellingly shows that when people embrace the fact that their lives regularly and organically change with every situation they encounter, they’ll continuously maturely develop their ever-evolving sense of humanity.
For more information on Benjamins, visit his official website and Facebook page. Listen to ‘We Used to Live’ below.
Written by: Karen Benardello