Benjamin Lazar Davis

Released in late 2021, Benjamin Lazar Davis's self-titled album represents a distillation of his multi-instrumental talents into their most intimate form. Known for his work with Cuddle Magic and collaborations with Joan As Police Woman and Okkervil River, Davis here strips away the more ornate chamber-pop flourishes of his previous work in favor of a 'bedroom' aesthetic that emphasizes texture and proximity. The album was largely shaped by its recording environment, characterized by a dry, non-reverberant sound that highlights the mechanical noises of the instruments. Lyrically, the record oscillates between starkly literal observations and abstract emotional landscapes, notably on tracks like 'I Bet You're Fucking,' which uses provocative language to anchor its vulnerability. Critics noted the album's 'wintery' feel and its success in making complex rhythmic structures feel effortless and folk-adjacent. It stands as a pivotal moment in his discography where technical sophistication meets raw, unvarnished songwriting.