Home For Now is the title of Australian Benji Lewis‘s new E.P., which was released yesterday. After the releases of Drift and For You, earlier this year, Benji Lewis now released the 7 track record that are more than a mere extension, they are a representation of the person he is.
[su_quote cite=”Benji Lewis”]The title of the EP came from talking over the changes I was going through; packing my life up and moving from place to place with my friend Mirella. She has always helped and guided me through the years. We talked about moving around a lot and to look at it in a way that no matter where I am, I look at the place I was staying at as home. So wherever I was and continue to move, I would and still do say to myself, “I am home for now, this is home for now” as a way of grounding myself for however long I am in that place.[/su_quote]
The Intro defines the flow of the E.P. and specially the following two songs. Calm, very subtlety electronic and most of all, very tasteful. It transmits a peaceful feeling in the midst of some confusion – which impersonates perfectly the theme of this record.
Drift follows immediately, causing a small drop that if you don’t pay close attention, you may think you’re still listening to the track above. This is just pure genius production. This song has a HONNE feel to it. The cool electronic pop, the contained yet bursting vocals.
[su_quote cite=”Benji Lewis”]For me, a lot of my happiness is in the sun, being around good people, and being by the water. All of that slipped into the lyrics as well. I hope it brings some of that peace and happiness to those who hear it.[/su_quote]
For You comes next and this is other single that had been previously released. It’s interesting to pick immediately up a Cinematic Orchestra vibe, but even more so when it dissipates into a Benji Lewis unique sound. All the samples layer beautifully together, and once again, his vocals take centre stage. Apparently, the inspiration for this track came from a love he found in the city of Los Angeles.
[su_quote cite=”Benji Lewis”]What came through in this song and the lyrics are all the feelings and thoughts I have about the situation; all that comes with wanting to be with someone who is somewhere else – in my case, another country. But it’s a song about how intense and right a love and feelings like this can be, knowing that long distance can be hard but that you can’t pretend it’s not there.[/su_quote]
The Interlude comes and goes effortlessly. It has a more pronounced electronic vibe, as it progresses from the final seconds of For You “oh ah oh” to the first rushed beats of Not Alone.
This is where Home For Now takes an interesting turn. It is all new ground. Not Alone is a new track that the world hadn’t listened to until yesterday. This is yet another soothing electro tune that comforts even the most disturbed souls. “You’re not alone now, I promise you’ll be fine“.
To Stay is second to last track. It starts with the most beautiful deep piano and stripped, honest vocals. This may be the most “clean” track in the sense it uses little to none extra production. I love you, I miss you, I love you ends the track and we are left with a bittersweet feeling that is only aggravated by the next track.
Leading the E.P. is closing track In Time. This track brings back again the electronic back- and foreground. And it takes our heart away.
[su_quote cite=”Benji Lewis”]When I fall for someone, I fall hard. I want all or nothing, but if it doesn’t work out, I know I’ll be okay. I’ll be more than fine with my choices and decisions to go all in and give it a go because for me, it’s part of living. I’d rather whatever comes with that than having the ‘what ifs’ in life. In my experience, it’s not too often you come across people you feel this way about in the modern world, and when we do I feel like you can’t let it pass you by. It could be something really special, no matter how long it lasts or what happens in the end.[/su_quote]
To be in a situation where everyday you find yourself in a new place and learning to call it home? That must be tough. And the thought that Benji thought of these singles as he was going through those experiences, it just makes the whole record something so personal and so comforting. These are the words he needed to hear, so he sung to himself. And now he is singing them to us. Home For Now is nothing short to brilliant.
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