Next Wave: Benét Amazing Abilities, Creating Suberb Indie Rock And Rating Thanksgiving Plates
One of the best things about music is being able to express yourself to the fullest. You can express your heavy emotions by talking about a town in Japan, like Phoebe Bridgers, or you can show your creativity in making unique and mesmerizing beats like Aphex Twin. A great artist can mix both of these, the emotion and the creativity, and Benét is doing it in spades right now.
Clowning Around Leading to a Debut EP
Virginia native Benét Nutall (he/him) has always had a strong connection with music. Shortly after graduating from high school, Benét went straight into a music career, playing trombone in a clown band. Unfortunately, the gig was not a long-term thing, but it did help him get on the path to releasing his first single, “Funny”, in 2020.
The soft single showcases one of the best things about Benét: his amazing voice. The timbre of his vocals is smooth, and even when layered, they continue to shine. The indie-pop sound with the synths and basic beat is very of the times, classic bedroom pop. A year later, Benét re-released the track, but this time with a feature from Chidlish Major. The track remains his most-streamed song, with over 3.5 million streams.
The song was produced by Cameron Smith, who would then go on to help produce his first singles package, Stan Account, as well as his debut EP, Game Over! These were all released under Bayonet Records, which also includes other amazing emerging artists like Mei Semones, Being Dead, and Tasha.
It is around this time that Benét starts to open himself up lyrically, with “Killing Eve” being very upfront, telling someone directly, “You’re killing me.” He uses dance terminology all across “Ready” and sings about the in-between nature of not knowing if someone wants you in “Shoot Your Shot”. Synths are all over the music (in the best way possible), with some more dance elements sprinkled in to give more energy to these early tracks, especially “Plz”. The dance and electronic elements would be explored even further, as a remixed edition of the EP, Game Over: Reloaded, was released a couple of months later.
Already early into his career, it is clear to see Benét is a big fan of collaboration, and that would keep on rolling in 2022. “Will I See U?” with indie rock group Mamalarky and “(i have jokes) If You Wanna Hear One” with producer Sea Glass. The track with Sea Glass is very much more in line with Benét’s early sound, whereas “Will I See U?” was an early sign of the more indie rock direction Benét would soon follow.
Immediate Greantess from a Debut Album
This more indie rock era began with his 2022 single, “Try”. The swaying track with a drum kit and echoing guitar chords made the slight change in genre seem like it was almost meant to be. The themes of love and wanting to do your best, “Give it grace and just try”, are things that Benét carried with him throughout the rest of his music career, especially with the arrival of his debut album, Can I go again?
More singles would follow, including the flying guitars of “Insensitive” and the entrancing chorus of “Overpowering”. The final single before the album’s release is a standout track in his early, fantastic discography. “No Alarm” has an absolutely infectious guitar strum that immediately makes you want to move, before the track opens with some luscious strings as Benét sings angelically overtop.
Can I go again? released in September 2023, and is one of the best indie rock albums of the year, no question. There are fast-paced and slower songs, light and heavy tracks, and happy and emotionally strong tracks. The guitar work is really strong across the album, as he even says in an interview, “They might be surprised to hear so much guitar!” He goes on to mention being vulnerable on the record, and that checks out, as songs about his identity, the changing nature of life, and losing a relationship. In a year where Dominic Fike and Matt Maltese released records, Benét’s Can I go again? stands out.
It was also around this time that Benét’s personality started to shine, especially in the music video and social media side of things. The comedic moments in the “Overpowering” music video (including playing Fortnite and losing) and the cute designs of the “No Alarm” video show Benét’s lighter side, but it is on his Instagram where his personality shines. A now yearly mainstay of his Instagram includes story highlights reviewing his fans’ Thanksgiving plates. This includes: immediately calling out when it is a white person’s plate, when a turkey breast looks dry, and wondering why marshmallows are on sweet potatoes (which are actually a great addition).
A First Tour, Highlighting his Identity, and The Amazing Sophomore LP
Benét’s 2024 would kick off with his first time touring, even better as he got to do it with one of his best friends, Faye Webster. The tour also included Mamalarky’s Noor Khan playing on bass, so it was a wonderful time for him. It is unclear how Webster and Benét became friends, but it is not hard to tell how great their friendship is, with Benét even hosting Webster’s yoyo tournament she hosted in September of that year.
With two amazing musical minds, it was no surprise for them to eventually release a track, but they did so in a very special way. “Make ‘em Laugh” was released with Red Hot Org for TRANSA, a compilation album highlighting transgender music artists. Benét, being transgender, it must have been a great honor to be highlighted on the project alongside other artists like Claire Rousay, Teddy Geiger, and covers of the late electronic icon, SOPHIE.
As it turned to 2025, it was time for another album rollout, and this rollout and album would include his best stuff yet. “Wonder” would be the first single for Make ‘Em Laugh, and in comparing the track to the previous album, it is an emotional gut punch. Benét wonders a lot (obviously), but the existential nature of the lyrics, the soundbites of people wondering their own big thoughts, gives a really big emotional jolt, while still sounding great.
Then comes along “Radio Silence” and completely flips the switch. The screeching and feedback from the guitars, along with a foreboding vocal performance, is a stark difference from his entire discography, but an astounding difference. The rugged and cymbal-heavy drums, along with the vocals from the featured Marguax, really click together nicely. Also matched with an intense music video that perfectly reflects the song.
The album was released in June of this year, with Make ‘Em Laugh being Benét’s best project so far. There is so much emotional maturity in the lyrics, so much unique instrumentation, different genres, and it is a complete and strong album. “Birds Eye” is exceptional, with a lovely flute floating throughout, as Benét sings as if he is singing atop of the track. “Demon” is an acoustic ballad, which, similar to “Wonder”, is emotionally devastating (in the best way possible). Lines discussing a partner’s bad attributes, in this case, Benét’s demons, reassuring with, “I can hear you sing / I don’t mean just notes / But in the words you say / Beautiful in every way.”
Benét is truly a unique act in the indie rock/pop scene. He sings with such care and gentleness while varying the production underneath. The creativity in his artistry and exuberant personality (including the dissecting of Thanksgiving plates) matched with the powerful control of capturing his emotions, demonstrates the lengths he can go, and he can go very far.