A Classic Country Single from August Benjamin
A new single release from August Benjamin delivers a warm and sort of inviting Americana and Country soundscape, complete with lush guitar work and classic vocals that back an old-school country tune, but with a fresh approach.
"Surrender" really strives when it comes to its lyrics, as August delves into what feels like a relationship that went in a direction that wasn't quite expected.
The song is about knowing when to realize that things may not work out and, not quite calling it quits, but just understanding that maybe it's time to stop fighting so hard to keep things in place.
His lyrics are really sort of intense when it comes to painting that picture. They all come from a very emotional place, and that's part of what gives the song so much robust character.
The performances across the board are really graceful. There are layers of acoustic guitars and instrumentation that come through, giving you a certain kind of thickness, but all with that warm acoustic tonality. Again, it's sort of welcoming, and it helps set the right kind of mood for the lyrics because it's also honest.
I think this is a huge attribute as to why the song works the way it does. There is this unbridled sort of honesty that lets him speak freely. He's telling the story of that particular relationship and what happened, but he's doing it from that personal perspective.
He does use a lot of metaphoric approach when it comes to the lyrics, but they all make perfect sense. Knowing when to put your armor down and wave the white flag. It all comes through with such an authentic backbone, and I think that's because a lot of us can relate to it.
Once you hit a certain age, you've probably been in one or two relationships where you just knew things weren't going to work. It could be about fighting, arguing, or just not being on the same page, but either way, that feeling of understanding when it comes to the relationship coming to an end is something that isn't new to a lot of us.
This is kind of interesting because the way that the artist puts it makes it so connective that it feels like it could have served as part of the soundtrack to a chapter in your own life.
I'm not sure if August himself really grasps that aspect. He probably does. But either way, it speaks volumes for people that have been through it. He's saying things and singing things that we have thought but aren't quite able to articulate the right way.
I think that's where August really thrives. The way he articulates those lyrics, blending straightforwardness and metaphorical elements together to tell that story, is borderline brilliant.
Along with electric and acoustic guitar, you have mandolin flowing through the background of the song, adding so much more texture to it. I feel like this was an amazing addition in terms of giving the song this sort of atmosphere.
August has one of those classic country voices. Like I said before, almost vintage. He sings this way and has a mid-range kind of voice, but it comes through boisterously. The tones of the guitars and especially that mandolin complement that kind of vocal super well on a track like this.
Most of all, the song has a lot of heart. He tells his story, and it comes from a place of understanding more than anything else.
He's not angry about it, or even sad necessarily. It's kind of neutral. Like the relationship wasn't quite long enough to bolster huge emotion from its end.
Still, a situation like that is quite surprising. You don't go into a relationship thinking these things, of course.
Keep in mind, this is how I interpreted the song. Other people may listen to it and take it in completely differently.
I connected with what I felt the sentiment was. It made perfect sense to me because I've been there before.
As the song unfolds, it continues with that lusciousness. It's a very full-bodied and well-layered single, again performed with heart and that classic country undertone that just feels almost nostalgic in a way.
This is definitely a single not to miss, especially if you love Americana, country, even folk or singer-songwriter.
This single alone covers a lot of those bases.
Along with the already outstanding set of instruments I've mentioned, you also have violin or fiddle, electric guitar that comes in and out, sort of scattered about throughout the track, and more, giving a soundscape with a lot to chew on.
As it goes further, the instruments sort of build up and get a little more intense, but so do the vocals. He starts building out louder and really giving a different energy towards the middle and end of the song.
It's all very well done with a lot of attention to detail in terms of the performances and the arrangement.
I would definitely dig into this one as soon as I can, especially if you're a fan of real, genuine country music.
Songs that tell stories that come from real places are important.
August is a reminder of that.
Surrender - song and lyrics by August Benjamin | Spotify
