Forthcoming on the notorious RAM Records is something a little different, but by no means any less impressive. The debut LP from 19 year old Bensley gets its release on 27th April and you can hear what I believe is a monumental album from recent signing to the RAM moniker.
(Ed. Every once in a while when reviewing full albums, you come across one that just enthrals you. I’ve listened to this at least six or seven times over the last two days, and I still struggle to verbalise what it is that it does to my emotions.)
What an enigma this guy is. After being plucked from the talent pool that is Andy C’s demo inbox, this guy has turned out to be one hell of a gamble. Who can brag that it took their first and only track to get signed?
‘Wildfire’ seems to take musical influence from a beefed-up Camo & Krooked, which by all accounts is no mean feat while ‘To The Moon’ humbly boasts an ethereal quality which takes you on a mental journey through Enya-like chord progressions and NASA audio samples.
Title track ‘Next Generation’ merges a string and piano combination which melts your heart and not your face. I think off the back of this track, Bensley needs to incorporate this fantastic atmospheric track with a killer music video. It’s begging for it. You can just see it now, slow motion shots, a child tugging at the heartstrings, one of those Chase & Status-like storylines.
What has become apparent is that the ‘Next Generation LP’ is a concerted effort from RAM to broaden their skillset. Utilising a breadth of talents, this 19 year old Canadian is adding a worthy notch on the RAM bedpost.
These aren’t all “dance-floor killers”, they aren’t Dimension-esque slewdem beats. They are a different kind of forward-thinking drum & bass. Expect hooks that will stick in your head for a week, big beats and big emotions to boot. What becomes apparent throughout the album is that these tracks haven’t been botched together and called an album; they all come from a similar mental state. This allows the flow to continue throughout, and seamlessly (maybe this is why it’s been so difficult for me to distinguish from the individual tracks).
‘Fandango’ was premiered by the recently departed Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe and received widespread praise, from fellow DJ Mistajam to wider radio support from the likes of KissFM and XFM. You can view it below.
If you missed the exclusive 24 hour streaming of the album, then your only option is to buy this fantastic collection of sounds, which will have you gazing out of the window truly wondering “what is life?”
Pre-order the LP from iTunes here
Download the LP from the RAM Records Shop here
Follow Bensley online here
Follow RAM Records online here