New Zealand pop sensation BENEE has just announced the release of an EP entitled ‘LYCHEE’ due out through Republic Records on 4 March 2022. It follows the announcement of her first world tour since the pandemic struck, with forty shows scheduled in the northern hemisphere (Europe and the UK in April-May and North America in June) well as new and rescheduled shows on her New Zealand tour in February-March, followed by her return to Australia – for the first time in over two years.
The LYCHEE EP features tracks penned with Greg Kurstin, Kenny Beats, and Rostam in LA. Back in New Zealand, she finished up three tracks with her regular collaborator Josh Fountain.
A brilliant filigree of light is added to this announcement by the release of the pop fizzing new single ‘Beach Boy’. BENEE’s voice is, as ever, velvet soft and the instrumentation a hazy fugue of dream pop: bubbling and languorous music redolent of sun-soaked lazy and bucolic afternoons. BENEE’s vocals and style recall Lily Allen with a touch of humour and melancholy creating something bittersweet and soft.
BENEE says of the track:
‘Beach Boy’ is pure fantasy, set in LA. It’s about being happy alone, but still wanting some love; wanting the thrill without the pain. It was the first time I’d worked with Greg Kurstin, and it was so sick…we got on super well, and I love this track…I think it is perfect for cruising down the freeway with the top down 🙂
One thing is certain: it is a much needed ray of sunshine:
‘Beach Boy’ can be streamed/downloaded here and ‘LYCHEE’ can be pre-saved here.
BENEE is touring Australia very soon – details below – and then is off to Europe and North America – full details and tickets available here.
Feature Photograph: Adam Bryce
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