Canadian indie folk artist Hughes (Yellowknife’s Benji Straker) releases “Despite The Distance (Album Version)” a song that evokes such emotional vulnerability and sonic warmth that it will change how you feel at any given time. This version has been reframed for Hughes’ forthcoming debut full-length album, and this version, while short, feels more nuanced and deeper than the original 2024 single.
Born of the breathtaking solitude that the North offers, “Despite The Distance” is a gentle meditation on fatherhood, time, and memory. Straker’s lyrics are heartfelt and contemplative and provide a deeply abiding view into the mind of a parent experiencing the transient nature of childhood. His voice has enough weight to bear the meaning of the words, while still showing tenderness, and with the support of soft acoustic textures, atmospheric additions, and beautifully haunting slide guitar that evokes the sense of calm that accompanies frozen lakes and a Northern night.
What makes this track special is its authenticity. Straker doesn't just sing about love and longing, he makes you feel it. The ambient folk aesthetic, which incorporates contemporary folk and a storytelling style, is personal and public, private and broad.
"Despite the Distance" is a standout feature of the forthcoming album, but also an important addition to Canada's indie folk genre. Hughes is a growing voice in the indie scene, quiet but impactful, introspective but expressive.
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