(Benton / Image Credit: Grace Williams)
‘Heartbeat’ is the latest single from Charlotte artist Benton, a North Carolina musician who has quietly built an impressive resume. His music draws from the open-road feel of The War on Drugs, the sharp rhythms of Talking Heads, and the dreamy sound of Her’s. Benton started as a drummer, so rhythm is at the heart of everything he makes. He runs Moon-Runner Studios, produces for other bands, scored the drag-racing documentary short Five Foot 280 with Jasmine Salinas, and also works as a set designer for TV and film. That attention to detail shows in his music, which always feels carefully crafted and real. His earlier work already covers a lot of ground, but ‘Heartbeat’ brings it all together in his strongest release so far. A full album is coming out on cassette later this year, and he’ll also host a new show on Totally Wired Radio starting in March.
The song dives deep into early-80s new wave, channeling the moody pulse of Ultravox and Soft Cell. A slick, stylized synth bed rides atop a thick, low-and-steady electronic bassline. Electronic beats snap into place with a subtle bass groove, while airy synth pads float beneath, and the effects-laden vocals cut through, led by a retro synth hook that refuses to let go. On a closer listen; hidden textures surface, especially the shimmering synth arpeggios that flicker just at the edge of perception. This is music you feel in your bones, with drums and bass that hit you physically, while the lyrics stay intimate and honest, tracing the moment when true connection transforms vulnerability into power.
Benton had this to say: “I just like synths and drums and I want everyone to hear them and release tracks that speak to the human experience – to the brain with personal lyrics and to the body with mesmerising beats and infectious rhythms.” About the single, Benton explained: “Heartbeat is about the moment when you find a true connection with love. It makes you feel safe to be open and vulnerable and makes you come alive. Not just a partner but a safe home in another person’s arms that you’ll choose over and over. It’s honest, and very human, expressing how true love can awaken something timeless and alive within. I wrote it about my wife.“
Stream ‘Heartbeat’:
