BEN FARRINGTON stay underground EP
Stay Underground EP
(Self-release 15/03/24)
An ascending arpeggio propels the semi-eponymous opener, ‘Should’ve Stayed Underground’. It’s an acerbic and frustrated confession of subscribing to the metronomic, mirrored, and mechanical nature of modern life. The struggle of meeting perceived expectations and ‘reaching your potential’ are questioned and quizzed, but an understanding of what defines a balance between these and our authentic desires remains tantalisingly out of reach. Structurally uplifting whilst downbeat in tone, the song pushes ahead of its natural tempo for the vast majority, a hidden sequitur of the inherent anxiety. Yet, for some reason, there’s an acceptance and optimism in the final strums and exhale of breath.
‘Success’ follows, mired in lyrical self-doubt whilst pilfering jaunty rhythms and melancholic chord progressions from the 90s punk rock playbook. It perfectly embodies that sepia-toned, crackly-recorded, romantic and youthful feeling you had when the world was still a wild and wonderful place that bristled with potential. Musically it screams ‘anthem’, all forward motion across verses and half-time when the chorus appears, greeting you like an old friend arriving late to the party.
The EP ends with a waltz, delivering a beautifully pretty and harmonically suggestive backing across a folk shanty. Its de facto chorus unveils a sonic loveliness which, of course, is a ruse as loneliness, loss, and Orwellian truths are aired through Ben’s melodic, lilting, vocal.
There’s a bunch of FFOs here, which I’ve never done before, so I won’t start now. For an acoustic EP to suggest so much across different genres that exist on opposite musical corners is an impressive feat.
It’s fucking good. Give it a listen
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