Ben Kelly – Senses (2023)
Inspired by the likes of Frank Ocean, Daniel Caesar, Michael Jackson and Marvin Gaye, singer-songwriter Ben Kelly’s sound lies somewhere between RnB, soul and pop. This is my introduction to Kelly, but the US-based musician has been featured in publications to critical acclaim. With coverage from Hip Hop Paranoia, Find No Enemy, Punk Head, Sinusoidal Music and Rising Artists Blog, this natural talent is described as soulful, sultry, vibrant and hypnotising.
Taken from his four-track EP of the same name, ‘Senses’ is a mishmash of electropop trapped in a soulful RnB sonic package. While Kelly tends to retain a heartfelt underlying pop-ness to his songs, ‘Senses’ has a more ethereal vibe than previous material. It is this movement from hip-hop-induced pop to commercial electropop and contemporary neo-soul that showcases Kelly’s diversity and innovation as an artist.
As I mentioned, ‘Senses’ has an ethereal vibe taken to the next level with Kelly’s tender vocals. Swimming in a surreal sonic whirlpool, we are transported from the melodic haziness to a tranquil intimacy – all in a charmingly mellifluous way. Recorded in Washington, DC and Fairfield, CT, Kelly describes the self-produced single as “a relaxed and chill soul cut with a mix of guitar, bass, synth and drum traps” – all played by himself. Interestingly enough, while ‘Senses’ can intoxicate listeners with its “relaxed chill”, there is a more intricate theme within the single.
Just as with Michael Jackson and Frank Ocean, a significant topic looms atop the melodic tune. Ben Kelly explains that ‘Senses’ is “about being in a rocky relationship but realising how important the other person is to you and recommitting to it”; a relatable message if ever there was one. Intimate and personal, Kelly connects with listeners in an elegant, sophisticated way.
For more from Ben Kelly, check out his Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
