Let’s welcome Benny Fisher to our blog, my dearest readers and fellow music lovers. English singer-songwriter Benny has carved out a distinctive sound for himself by fusing psychedelic elements with deep soulful roots and indie pop. His most recent song, “London Town,” was released on January 15th, and it has been playing in my head ever since. I’m going to explain why you should listen to this song, so take a seat and settle in.

The guitar melody that opens the song is so heavenly that it seems to have been taken directly from the sky. It is shimmering and ethereal, but it doesn’t float away; instead, it is anchored by a catchy, exuberant drum beat that puts the song in motion. You get that “aha” feeling as soon as those two components come together. You become restless and eager to hear every second that follows because it’s the auditory confirmation that you’ve made the perfect decision by pressing play.

Let’s discuss the theme. On a lyrical level, “London Town” unveils much more honestly by stripping away the glamour of a picture-perfect city. It discusses rather heavy themes of disillusionment and the erosion of one’s identity that stems from pouring one’s soul into a destination that does not reflect that investment. Bennie portrays a much colder and uncaring London, not the villain. With this expansive scope, relationships take a backseat, and hope exists through muscle memory. Whatever the narrator of that song may be through, it’s evident that it’s between the excitement of arrival and the exhaustion of the aftermath. There’s an eerie sense to the fact that they set out to this city with the express intent of totally transforming themselves and then ran up against the same streets and the same unresolved concerns. To be navigating through vast throngs of people and feeling totally invisible within the thrall of those throngs is a hallmark of the sound of movement without advancement. In the end, “London Town” is more a tale of inner conflict between ambition and reality rather than the place itself. It’s the sum of the angst that defines the current generation’s lonely soul: the recognition that being close to the distance you’ve set for yourself means nothing in the absence of achievement, but that being lonely also means being lonely in the midst of all.

The production for “London Town” is where the track’s rich soul really shines. Outside the visuals provided by director Peter Spence, a veteran documentarian for events such as the 1977 Christmas party for the Scottish punkers in the Sex Pistols, the music itself features a world-class cast. The track “breathes” through Emilio Pugliese on drums and Luca Leprotti on bass. However, there is additional warmth and elegance on Rhodes and a concert piano from Marco Biscarini. There is that “divine” tune we loved so well on guitar from Sergio Carlini. Finally, Julian Walker’s backing vocals on the chorus and acoustic guitar with lead performance on acoustic from Benny Fisher. Recorded at Modulab Studios in Bologna, Italy, it was produced by the duo of Leprotti and Biscarini, with a final transformation in London courtesy of a remix by none other than the legendary Mad Professor, whose touch can probably be thanked for infusing those subtle psychedelic echoes that give the track such airiness.

To complement the visual style of the “London Town” experience, award-winning filmmaker Peter Spence has drawn upon his own collection of Super 8 material to deliver imagery that complements this particular track. Present in this form is a kaleidoscope of vibrant, washed colors that seem to be made in tandem with the psychedelic aspect of this track in particular – this is extremely rare in terms of this style of piece. To be honest, I have had a blast working with this track. I believe the juxtaposition of the soulful vocals and the accuracy of the instruments is, in every way, just absolutely spot on. Benny Fisher is a tremendous talent, and if “London Town” is any measure of the direction this talented musician is taking, I believe we’re all in for a real treat. I’m on the edge of my seat just waiting for his next offering.

Stream “London Town” on Spotify