As a music fanatic, I love to support and work with artists who defy the norms, aren't confined to genre limitations, and show vulnerability in each word they write. That is exactly what Filipino-American artist Benzer does. In the 22-year-old's latest EP, DEUCE, he delivers a personal collection of memories that are recreated through a variety of sounds such as acoustic guitar, contemporary R&B, a West Coast G-funk vibe, psychedelic jazz, and more.
Born and raised in Rowland Heights, CA, Benzer’s passion for music dates back to Sunday mornings as a child listening to classic Filipino artists with his parents. He realized the power music holds to express emotion which led him to learn piano, drums, and guitar while singing in his local choirs. He cites his inspiration comes from music pioneers such as Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson, as well as contemporary artists such as Anderson. Paak, Devin Morrison and Frank Ocean.
DEUCE touches on relatable topics of heartbreak, love, gratitude and fun weekends with friends. The EP is comprised of seven songs which features his latest single and one of my personal favorites, "On Read." This track is based on the agony of being left "on read" through text and the ambiguity of what that could mean. Unfortunately, I think this is a situation many of us can relate to when it comes to the complications of social media and relationships. Although Benzer's experience of being left "on read" may not have been a pleasant one, I am glad we got this song (it has been on repeat and feels like I was the one left "on read"). Benzer showcases his raw emotions with soft vocals, synthesized sounds of hip-hop, soul, and a breathtaking psychedelic jazz guitar solo.
Another favorite track of mine is "Weekend." This song is a great reminder of the importance of self-care and taking some time to relax and have fun. The song makes you want to get up and dance with the West Coast G-funk influence.
“The weekend is a time to sit back and relax as work sometimes diverts your attention from friends and your social life,” Benzer says about “Weekend.”
With every song, Benzer paints a detailed story of his experiences, as if I was reading right out of his personal journal. I can't wait to see what future projects Benzer has in store for us. Will it make us cry or dance? Or maybe both? We will just have to wait and see. Meanwhile, listen to DEUCE on repeat and check out Benzer's art page, ARTFORM626, where he showcases emerging artists, of different mediums, from his hometown.
Listen to Benzer here.
I loved reading this post! It made me want to check out Benzer's music :)