After the creative brilliance of their single Leaky Ship, the appeal of a longer project from singer-songwriter duo BenBen and Lily Desmond was unquestionable. The six-track EP White Elephant begins with the above indie hit, but proceeds to evolve through a colourful web of versatility.
Burn the Rhythm is instantly more familiar and hopeful sounding in its rising falsetto vocals and the pop-rock warmth of the arrangement. The music is nostalgic, guitars and vocal pairing taking us back a couple of decades for that organic embrace, but woven in among this is another lyrical venture that intrigues and fascinates – a quality that resounds throughout the White Elephant EP.
Silver Thoughts is musically enthralling, bass notes and lighter fingerstyle setting an intimate folk mood, as another wonderful melodic and lyrical fusion slowly takes hold. We’re in a kind of Simon and Garfunkel territory just slightly, but it’s the sound and style of White Elephant – eclectic and ever-changing, suddenly injecting a heavier rock realm; as per the artistic requirements of the story. Then there’s the complete 180 that is the switch into the unexpected tone and intentions of Tuba Joe.
Leaky Ship was indeed a rightful indicator of the artistic weight and purpose of BenBen and Lily’s collaboration. The music of this EP has so much to offer in terms of its musicality and conceptual consideration. Absolutely worth delving into a few times over this summer. One of the most creatively interesting projects to emerge in recent months.
