BENEE ON HER NEW EP ‘LYCHEE’
(Photo Credit: Lula Cucchiara)Global superstar BENEE broke through in 2020 with ‘Supalonely’, her irresistible, four billion streaming alt-pop banger that practically defined the pandemic experience. At the end of 2020, the 22 year old released her debut album ‘Hey u x’ with guests ranging from icons Grimes and Lily Allen to Gus Dapperton and Muroki (another incredible Kiwi that BENEE has since signed to her own label Olive). This was listed as one of Billboard’s ‘25 Best Pop Albums of 2020’!
She even performed ‘Supalonely’ - live from New Zealand - on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Ellen, and Late Night with Seth Meyers and recorded a heartfelt live version of album opener ‘Happen To Me’ for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Now BENEE returns with her highly anticipated third EP ‘LYCHEE’, and prepares for her world tour starting this month!
(Artwork for ‘LYCHEE’ EP)And WOW, we are in love with this EP! Working alongside Grammy Award-winning producer Greg Kurstin (‘Hello’ - Adele, ‘Chandelier’ - Sia, ‘Stronger’ - Kelly Clarkson .. to name a few!) as well as other super-producers Kenny Beats (Ed Sheeran, Vince Staples, Denzel Curry) and Rostam (Vampire Weekend, Clairo, Haim) in LA, she also reunited with her regular collaborator Josh Fountain back in New Zealand.
“Being locked down in New Zealand felt like things were going to be like this forever and like I was wasting time. I was afraid that I’d run out of ideas or I would find it difficult to get through this writing trip. However going into rooms with new production collaborators like Greg Kurstin and Rostam, and reconnecting with Kenny, was really liberating and actually let the energy I had been lacking back into my songs.
There is something crazy about landing in LA from New Zealand and throwing yourself into songwriting. The exact same thing happened for me two years ago when I arrived in LA and wrote ‘Supalonely’ on the first day. I love that this EP has the emotional breadth to channel much of the anxiety that I was feeling at home in songs like ‘Doesn’t Matter’ and ‘Hurt You Gus’ but then also switching to the new energy I found when writing ‘Beach Boy’ as well as ‘Never Ending’ which is my current favourite!”
‘Beach Boy’ kicks off the start of the EP, with sweetly toned vocals and dreamy guitars evoking sixties beach movies, sun kissed summer days, and perfect beach dates.
“‘Beach Boy’ is pure fantasy, set in LA. It’s about being happy alone, but still wanting some love; wanting the thrill without the pain. It was the first time I’d worked with Greg Kurstin, and it was so sick ... we got on super well, and I love this track ... I think it is perfect for cruising down the freeway with the top down :)”
As for the rest of the EP, BENEE proves she’s truly evolved and curated her own addictive & eclectic sound, supported by her mesmeric vocals, euphoric melodies and unparalleled production. ‘Soft Side’ brings influences from soft hyperpop & house, with glittery vocoder to top it off. The stunning track ‘Hurt You, Gus’ follows, showcasing BENEE’s ethereal voice - think the perfect song for a mid-movie montage when the heartbroken main character can’t stop thinking about the person they’re in love with.
‘Never Ending’ starts with hints of distorted electric guitar and soothing hooks, like modern take on Radiohead, with a powerful, rock-filled break to finish. Yup it’s a goodie. ‘Marry Myself’ is next, a light drum & bass infused track with the lyrics ‘give the ring to somebody else, I wanna marry myself’. If we were you, we would want to marry ourselves too BENEE. ❤️
Then it moves onto ‘Doesn’t Matter’ where BENEE opens up about mental health.
“This year has been very difficult for me and many other people, and I’ve had times that I’ve really felt my lowest. I wrote ‘Doesn’t Matter’ during one of these periods when I felt truly overwhelmed, anxious, and stuck.
I was diagnosed with OCD, which actually helped me understand myself better. This song ponders on what it would be like to feel truly carefree and how much easier life would be. Sometimes, it’s hard for people who don’t suffer from anxiety or depression to really understand what it’s like for us. People telling you not to worry or saying ‘it doesn’t matter’ don’t understand that it’s not that simple. Having had help to learn how to deal with my own anxiety and depression, I want others to know that there is a way through.”
Darker, more commanding tones emerge in ‘Make You Sick’, making you feel like you’re falling into a trippy electronic wonderland of breathtakingly bizzare and extraordinary soundscapes. ‘I’m a bad bitch’ is the main hook which starts and ends the song and we are TOTALLY here for it.
Now onto our quick-fire questions with this queen!
(Photo Credit: Ophelia Jones)CONGRATS ON YOUR NEW EP 'LYCHEE'! YOU MUST BE SO EXCITED TO RELEASE THIS INTO THE WORLD! WHAT WERE YOUR MAIN INSPIRATIONS BEHIND THE SONGS OF 'LYCHEE'?
BENEE: Everything that's been going on in my life over the past year!
WHAT WERE YOUR HIGHLIGHTS WORKING ON THE EP?
BENEE: Going to LA, finishing it off and working with some new people was really refreshing.
AND YOU'RE GOING ON A WORLD TOUR WHICH IS SO INSANE! WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOST ON TOUR?
BENEE: Just travelling again and being in completely new environments will be inspiring!
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE NZ ARTISTS RIGHT NOW AND ARE THERE ANY SONGS IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU ESPECIALLY LOVE?
BENEE: There's a guy called Beach Boy who has a song called ‘Splashin’ which I really love. As for fellow artists; There's A Tuesday and Muroki who I've been working with at Olive Records, and Heavy Chest.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT NEW ZEALAND?
BENEE: I love how clean and green it feels.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST LESSONS YOU’VE LEARNT AS AN ARTIST, AND WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER ARTISTS OUT THERE?
BENEE: I've learnt how important it is to stick to your gut instinct and to learn to say NO.
LASTLY, WE END ALL OUR INTERVIEWS WITH THIS QUESTION - IF YOU COULD SAY ONE THING TO EVERY PERSON IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
BENEE: Hang in there and be kind …
Thanks so much BENEE! Make sure to keep up with her on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Spotify and Apple Music.
