Alec Benjamin, Narrated for You | Album Review 💿

Rising Arizona pop singer/songwriter Alec Benjamin showcases immense potential on his debut mixtape, ‘Narrated for You.’ 

Up-and-coming Arizona singer/songwriter Alec Benjamin has a beautiful voice (prepare to read about his vocal chords a lot). While Benjamin is firmly in his twenties, there’s a boyishness and angelic innocence about his instrument that’s absolutely charming. Amazingly, he was dropped from a major label (Columbia) in 2016… Hearing him sing, you ask yourself, how? Back on the ‘up and up,’ Benjamin releases his first mixtape, Narrated for You.  There are plenty of things to love about this tape.

yo 2 years ago I got dropped from Columbia Records and was singing in parking lots outside of concerts

this year im opening up some shows for @Camila_Cabello

i know i have a long way to go but that’s pretty cool

thx for supporting me thru the ups and downs

— alecbenjamin (@AlecBenjamin) July 28, 2018

“If We Have Each Other”

✓ “If We Have Each Other” is mid-tempo, and lightly, but sufficiently produced (rhythmic guitar, drums, keyboards).  Besides the voice and the backdrop, it is the poetic lyrics that shine. Benjamin’s storytelling is on-point over the course of three verses; his thoughtful lyrics give the feels. On the first verse, he tells the story of a pregnant 19-year old, down on her luck. “She was waiting on the day she hoped her baby would arrive / She’d never be alone.” On the second verse, the characters are a 90-year old couple, who reminisce on their relationship in the past and cherish being together.  He saves the best verse for last, following the bridge, speaking personally about his family.  He sings:

“I’m 23, and my folks are getting old
I know they don’t have forever and I’m scared to be alone
So I’m thankful for my sister, even though sometimes we fight
When high school wasn’t easy, she’s the reason I survived…”

My God, how lovable is Alec Benjamin? Following each verse, he blesses the listener with a stunning chorus.

✓ “Water Fountain” continues the strong start of Narrated for You.  Once again, Benjamin’s beautiful marked youthful pipes really pop out here, perfectly suited for the melody.  Furthermore, his sensitive, thoughtful, ‘boy next door’ personality amplifies this gorgeous, narrative record. The singer/songwriter vibe continues on the rhythmic guitar-accompanied “Annabelle’s Homework.” Initially, it seems as if the record is going to be a bit predictable musically, but the addition of a groove and some light, tasteful electronic cues keeps things interesting. Benjamin returns to high school days, doing a girl’s homework he likes in order to potentially date her.  It doesn’t work out, of course, and ultimately, he ends up with his heart broken.

“Let Me Down Slowly”

✓ “Let Me Down Slowly” is a solid, well-rounded pop record.  It’s well-produced without being incredibly ornate. Alec Benjamin delivers a strong vocal performance, without the need for flashiness or gospel histrionics.  As aforementioned, he has a beautiful voice with a stellar, youthful tone.  He expressively delivers the lyrics, bringing emotions and the song itself ‘on home’ on the chorus.

Simply put, his little heart can’t take any sudden or extra pain.

“Could you find a way to let me down slowly?
A little sympathy, I hope you can show me
If you wanna go then I’ll be so lonely
If you’re leaving baby let me down slowly.”

The hits keep on rolling with “Swim,” where Alec Benjamin is willing to “Swim until you love me.” The record encompasses loneliness following a now defunct relationship.  Benjamin still longs for his ex, even though she seems to have clearly moved on. “‘She said, ‘Son, you gotta tell me why you’re black and blue / I said, I didn’t want trouble, I’m the boy in the bubble / But then came trouble.” Alec Benjamin ‘gets real’ on ✓ “Boy in the Bubble,” arguably the crowning achievement of Narrated for You.  The song seems to be open to interpretation to an extent, as Benjamin encompasses bullying, fighting, and adversity at home. Regardless what his official intent is, the resulting record is absolutely incredible.

“Steve”

He follows up with another strong song, “Steve,” which finds him transforming the Biblical story of Adam and Eve to include a third individual, Steve.  No, it likely won’t win him that much favor with Biblical scholars, but it’s an intriguing perspective to say the least.  Essentially, Alec uses the character to divert Adam and away from greed:

“He said, ‘Adam, don’t be fooled by the snake
Don’t risk it all for a taste
Oh, what a waste
To have everything and give it away.”

“Gotta Be a Reason” is a natural follow-up to Steve.  It’s not a spiritual song, but Alec Benjamin takes the time to reflect on life and purpose – “There’s gotta be a reason that I’m here on Earth.” As for “Outrunning Karma,” the lyrics are incredibly poetic and at times, open to multiple interpretations.  Benjamin makes it clear, that ‘you can run, but you can’t hide.’ In this case, “From the church steeple, down to Satan / Karma, there’s really no escape until he dies.”

“If I Killed Someone for You”

On “If I Killed Someone for You,” Alec ponders if he went to an extreme – killing someone – would it make the girl that he likes reciprocate the love.  At the surface level, it comes off a bit outlandish, but on the bridge, Benjamin reveals the person being killed is himself – “You have to understand that the one I killed is me / Changing what I was for what you wanted me to be.”

“I tried to help but he said he was just too far from saving.”  What makes ✓ “Death of a Hero” magnificent is the fact that Benjamin is incredibly authentic, expressing his disappointment with a role model.  We assume our role models to be saintly.  Then, what do they do? Disappoint us, forcing us to regroup and rethink everything.  Here, Benjamin’s “Superman” exhibits his unflattering side, and the image of his hero is forever tarnished.

✓ Also Check Out: Death of a Hero – Alec Benjamin (Musicto – Music to Atone To

“This is where I broke my wrist, where I thought I could fly / Thinking I was Superman, so you know you can’t cry.” Throughout the course of his single “1994”, Benjamin reflects upon his childhood.  Naturally, 1994 is the year that Benjamin was born, confirmed by the brief chorus.  In addition to the aforementioned excerpt from the first verse, Benjamin references Campbell’s soup, MTV, and Cholla Street, his residence as a kid.  On the second verse, he offers a similar script, including Santa Claus, Batman, as well as heavier memories such as September 11, 2001.  Ultimately, it’s a strong way to conclude Narrated by You.

Final Thoughts

Once again, it’s pretty hard to believe that Alec Benjamin was dropped by a major label – someone dropped the ball.  Narrated for You is chocked-full of potential.  The material fits the artist’s distinct voice, and there are really no misses on this project. Perhaps there could be more variation to makes things even fresher but ultimately, that’s a nitpick. All in all, Narrated for You is quite strong.

✓ Gems: “If We Have Each Other,” “Water Fountain,” “Let Me Down Slowly,” “Boy in the Bubble” & “Death of a Hero”

Alec Benjamin » Narrated for You » Alec Benjamin » Release: 11.16.18

Photo Credit: Alec Benjamin