Broken Stars is the latest EP from Jake Benjamin. With Broken Stars, he has created a set of five songs that move effortlessly from one to the next. Benjamin very intentionally has taken us on a journey through not only his mind but the mind of Vincent Van Gogh. The project “…was inspired by reading the Letters of Vincent van Gogh, a collection of correspondences from Van Gogh to his brother, Theo.”
The first single off the EP is “Hemingway” and it sets the table for all that follows. Benjamin has utilized jazz influences in each song, some more heavily than others – “Hemingway” is one of those. It also has some lyrics that really spoke to me: “You should enjoy, what you don’t understand/I have lost all sense of control/I am on the surface of a life I’ve never known.”
My personal favorite of the five songs is “Heartfelt”. Musically, there are nods to Steely Dan in the arrangements – lush and full of horns. Jake Benjamin’s voice is a perfect accompaniment to his music.
Broken Stars is part of a larger project that is in the pipeline – an LP of the same name. After the release of this EP, we are very excited to see what will be on the LP of Broken Stars. Benjamin expands:
This EP is a small serving of what the LP version of Broken Stars will be in March 2022. These songs were definitely the earlier writings on the record, they were the gateway into me finding the overall theme of mentality and space. They venture through different atmospheres of mind, artists, and cities. I really consider this collection to be a step further out of my comfort zone lyrically and harmonically.
The recording process of creating these tracks was probably the most ambiguous one I could ever have imagined. I recruited many musicians of many different instruments to play; I got to work with a string quartet, a horn trio, and include artists who brought beauty to these songs. Some of the arranging developed at the studio before Pascal would hit record while other arrangements I had fleshed weeks before the sessions took place. The pandemic really made this into a collecting pieces of the tracks over the course of a year.
Are you looking for new music that isn’t all about relationships or heartbreak? Look no further with VALLEY, who tend to make music about positive life developments and working through mental health issues. Their latest single, “nevermind”, focuses on perfectionism and how it can turn into negativity or depression. The band released the lyrics to the track prior to the release, teasing eager fans. But, the wait is over and it definitely was worth it. Like many of their songs, it is upbeat and catchy while dealing with these important topics. Their sound is refreshing and fun but almost gives off a nostalgic vibe.
An echoed introduction catches your attention immediately with singer Rob Laska’s light vocals. It is easy to get lost in the beat of the song, but when you catch yourself thinking about the lyrics you can relate to their message of the pressures we face daily. The hook, “I want something that I’ll ne-ver find / but I just keep on saying ne-ver mind,” definitely will be stuck in your head all day or you’ll find yourself singing it in the shower. It’s a song you can picture hearing when you turn on the radio in the car and immediately turning the volume up. With millions of streams and continuing to put out honest songs, VALLEY is destined for a huge breakthrough.
Youthful, lusting yet tempered: The newest single and music video from CGI pop-creation (yes, you read that correctly) Miquela, titled “Automatic,” presents a snapshot of a pastel-colored party dream following in the steps of current pop standards like Dua Lipa, Bea Miller, and Hayley Kiyoko.
While “Automatic” is technically a love song, it carries a slow-burning, toned-down, dancing-but-sad feel, apt for bedroom listening and anthem-belting alike. Dynamically, this track remains steady, but it’s not worse for wear: “Automatic” glides through several choruses before tuning out into distorted vocals preceding the finish. Amidst a final chorus, a satisfying affirmation declares: “It’s automatic, I give all of my love to you.”
“Automatic” is a satiating pop sing-along about devotion to a romantic interest, and the video only supplements the mood. Glitter, a shimmering pinata, and strobing holographic lights populate the changing scenes as twenty-somethings in candy-colored ensembles laugh, dance, and play spin-the-bottle in various Easter egg-hued rooms. The video doesn’t ask for much from viewers, and it works – the simplicity of revelry is just enough to distract from the somewhat unsettling depiction of Miquela.
In the video for “Automatic”, there are several scenes where Miquela’s too-matte skin and too-smooth movements incur a twinge of the uncanny valley. Her rollicking peers nod their heads, organic hair bouncing and crow’s-eyes narrowing, only furthering the contrast between themselves and Miquela. The few times that the CGI does look realistic happens during slow-motion frames, or when her back is turned from the camera.
Like many celebrities, Miquela is highly active on her social media, models for high-end fashion brands, and even endorses products online. But on April 19, 2018, after several issues with her Instagram account being hacked, Miquela came forward to the world and announced the truth of her identity: “I’m not a human being.”
What is Miquela, then? After two years in the public eye, she finally revealed the truth about her identity. Miquela is a CGI personality created by a California startup called Brud. As could be expected, many of Miquela’s fans were confused, and she quickly grew a large base of critics and “haters”.
The introduction of such a controversial figure raises some important questions about transparency concerning image, and the ability of the public to discern reality from creation. As you listen to Miquela’s newest track “Automatic,” or previous singles “Money” and “Wasted”, ask yourself: When it comes to constructed realities, especially concerning the creation of people, how far is too far?
