Marking a distinct shift from his third and most recent album, ‘Bunny’, ‘Benjamin’ sees Healey step away from the soul-filled falsettos and layered vocals that were heavily featured across much of the former record. Instead, the new single peels back the layers of Healey’s voice, creating a raw, rustic quality for listeners. Accompanying his voice are warm acoustic guitars and light piano, creating an indie-rock sound fit for any quiet countryside setting. The track feels both familiar and refreshing, showcasing Healey’s voice and songwriting in a simplistic way.
Alongside the new single comes another music video shot by AJ Stark. The visuals for ‘Benjamin’ continue the aesthetics in Healey and Stark’s previous collaborations for the videos ‘S’all Good’ and ‘Ditch’. It includes pastoral landscapes, rural settings, and rustic vehicles. The visuals also include a few farm-animal co-stars thrown into the mix, complementing the earthy, stripped-back vibe of the song.
The single arrives at a busy time for Willie J Healey. He is supporting the band Palace on the November leg of their USA and Canada tour. The opportunity will hopefully introduce new listeners to Healey’s music just in time for the March release of his album ‘Lucky’.
Following the release of ‘Lucky’, Healey will headline his own UK tour beginning in April. General tickets are on sale starting on the 30th of October.
Sam Russo
Image: ‘Benjamin’ Official Single Cover