Album Review - CONGRATS- “PHARAOH”
REVIEW BY: JADE GUIDA
Praise for Congrats:
“Darkly addictive… From the jump, it's a dive into emotional territory fans are familiar with, though the trap-tinged pop production we hear on 'Russian Roulette' could easily put it on a playlist alongside work by artists like The 1975.”
- triple j
“Congrats has proven to be a bewitching musical project... Congrats’ pop songs and trap beats seem to be simply a different vehicle for Ben’s flavour of authentic songwriting that we know and love him for via Slowly Slowly.”
- Depth Magazine
“‘Cut Down The Middle’’s lush electronic elements provide an entirely new context for Ben’s sparkling vocal delivery, and it’s evident that his production skills are going to be one to keep an eye on with this being his first dabble in the genre.”
- Happy Mag
“Invisible confines of genre fall away when the metaphors and storytelling we know and love in (Slowly Slowly’s songs) are undeniably present, as is the beauty that moves me with each listen... It’s so clean and crisp and pop-tastic and yet rich with genuine emotion. The result is a stunning sweet spot of sound and I can’t get enough of it.”
- Depth Magazine
“I’m very into what's coming out of Ben’s songwriting explorations (in) Congrats… It feels like we're expanding the map with these exciting new landscapes for him to express himself. Lucky us to get to go along for the ride.”
- Dave Ruby Howe (triple j)
The phenomenal Slowly Slowly front man Ben Stewart has dropped the very highly anticipated Pharaoh, under his solo name Congrats.
Produced by ARIA Award nominee Konstantin Kersting (Mallrat, Tones & I, Jungle Giants) this sparkling pop project transcends all expectation and features singles “Russian Roulette,” “Lobotomy” and “Overthink” feat. Kwasi.
This EP is an explosion of emotion. I have come to expect nothing less than perfect from Ben Stewart and he always delivers. “Russian Roulette” is an alt/ pop synth dream you could float away on. The song is a melting pot of emotion created through Stewart’s classic crisp vocals and slick sound. Deep diving into Stewart’s own consciousness, the whole Tarantino-esque aesthetic heightens the exploration.
“Lobotomy,” is a true gift. The song combines the best elements of artists like The 1975, Joji and Post Malone. If I was to put those three in a blender and add a splash of classic pop punk like The Wonder Years or Yellow Card – you get this song. Lyrically it is reminiscent of pop punk, it has that glitchy and candid review of heartbreak but with a twist only Stewart can offer.
The whole EP is just puzzle pieces that fit perfectly together. They click in to place effortlessly, creating the beautiful picture of Stewart as an artist. Stewart just has this unrivalled ability to create. I mean, really create. He projects a high level of introspection that is easily communicated through his lyrics while his music is technical, complex and highly addictive.
Listen to this EP. I loved it. Not just because it is by Ben Stewart, but because it is simply brilliant.
