‘But no one here in New York seems to care that I’m alone’.
It has taken two years to put this record together, having overcome substance abuse and whilst grieving the death of his father, singer/songwriter Benjamin Francis Leftwich is back with a new album ‘Some Things Break’ depicting his journey through the wilderness that his life had become.
His personal fight is a testament to his strength and his enduring passion for the arts, being open about his experiences enables the listener to feel they belong, something that we see less and less of in the current climate.
The single ‘New York’ reminds me of Plain White T’s ‘Hey There Delilah’ it has the same soft, tender tones, the dreamy vibes that evoke a sadness and despondency. It is very easy to feel that everything is against you when things go wrong. This record attempts to highlight that sometimes it is better if things break, you can begin the healing process, without carrying the unnecessary baggage. You cannot escape the hurt, but it can be used to voice your need to progress in your life. The sentiment also reminds me of ‘Streets of Paradise’ by Vixen, the urgency that people feel to run towards the big city and then seeing the harsh reality. It is desperately heartbreaking when they have literally given up everything to succeed in world that is not for them.
Despite the heartache, we all wish for ‘A Love Like That’ it’s all part of being human, we still believe even if we have suffered the worst. The songs are sensitive; requiring our honesty to be able to learn from them, remaining dignified and humble in the process. It is a sombre and a sober album, produced by Grammy award winner Jimmy Hogarth, the recordings are as close to the bone as you can get, you can sense the anxiety and the helplessness. There is hope, but it needs to be channelled correctly and objectively to get the best results. With an upcoming UK tour, you are availed an opportunity to see these songs in a live setting, increasing their merit and their worth. Finishing with ‘Don’t Give Up On Light’ you have some advice on pushing through whatever is holding you back. The lyrics ‘when you’re breaking down, you’re just breaking free’ are quite telling, I feel. To rise out of the ashes of our past, and face the day when we can start over, having jettisoned our worries.
It is a charming and disarming body of work, as real as it gets and demonstrative of the human qualities in us all. We are fallible, we are outcasts and strays in a world that aspires to perfection and flawless beauty, but where there is grace, and humility, as seen on this album, you cannot go wrong.
Azra Pathan
Benjamin Francis Leftwich – Some Things Break out today via Dirty 9.