Artistically, Ben Sefton makes music that could easily be classified as both old and new at the same time; “Humans,” his album in which he is the primary songwriter, singer, and producer, is one of such pieces. This collection of 8 songs is an exploratory journey into embracing one’s weaknesses and having faith in life, even though in today's world, it is often the case that the bonds we have with others are brief. The new record by Sefton is not only a demonstration of his dexterity and pop charm, but more importantly, it is a reacquaintance with the artist as a witty and emotionally intelligent narrator who possesses a melodic gift rarely seen or heard.
After graduating from Selkirk College's Contemporary Music & Technology Program in 2015, Sefton decided to fully dedicate himself to improving his musicality and writing lyrics. He penned more than a hundred songs and then only released this last piece of work. “Humans” is an album where we can hear the harmonic sophistication of The Beach Boys, the introspective lyricism of Frank Ocean, and the narrative precision of Andy Shauf, alongside the voice of the artist, the poetic, ironic, and heartfelt Ben Sefton.
First of all, it is worth mentioning that the album of alt-pop anthems "Humans" with sweeping evocative themes and richly layered harmonies produced with the unyielding confidence and boldness of a first-rate alt-pop release was most probably the primary factor that led to a wide critical reception of the title and only single "Human" in 2020. It is a beautiful description of the human experience: the contradictions, the desires, and the ability of humans to love, as well as to be confused. It was a piece of work that critics loved to compare to “an alt-rock anthem for a modern-day Queen fan” and it is not difficult to understand the reasons behind such a statement. The theatrical bravado, with which the charm of the Freddie Mercury kind is embodied, yet incorporating strong elements of current indie-pop, is precisely what makes the song grand in its chord progressions and confident in its charm.
Sound-wise, Sefton continually pushes the boundaries of what listeners might typically expect from him, with his daring little experiments, ranging from lightness to darkness and back. Tracks are not hesitant to switch from the rich and grandiose to the bare and intimate, so that the emotional expanse of this artist, who knowingly flirts with both extremes, becomes obvious. This is a songwriter whose verbal cunning is unparalleled, especially when he concerns himself with the ordinary things that happen to people, transforming mundane life into charming pop poetry that captures the fleeting moments of love and quiet self-doubts.
The key factor that enables “Humans” to speak to people on an emotional level is, without a doubt, its genuineness. Sefton is very straightforward with his feelings; he doesn't use allegories as a means of disguise. His writing style is remarkably akin to that of an inquisitive person who is always seeking answers to the mysteries of nature and our existence within it, embracing imperfection, desire, and an endless fascination at the same time.
“Humans” is more than just an album; it is a tangible demonstration of the evolution in Ben Sefton’s artistic journey from being a pupil to becoming a master, from a visionary to the storyteller of the human condition. His record is one of the very few that today have the potential to be trendsetters as well as classics in the indie-pop sphere, and that is why Ben Sefton, with this, his debut album, is unquestionably one of the brightest lights shining from Canada in the field of modern indie-pop.
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