Off-kilter pop virtuoso Benny Sings releases jazz-flecked “Not Enough”

In the past decade and a half Benny Sings has, across his prolific list of records, pieced together an undoubtedly weird but comforting patchwork. The Dutch songwriter has earned an understated but solid appeal, not least from his collaborators, who have included Anderson .Paak, GoldLink, and Rex Orange County. The latter, with whom he wrote the Disney-like hit “Loving Is Easy”, has called Benny “one of the most underrated producers and artists going”.

It’s of little surprise that Benny eventually caught the attention of Stones Throw Records, given their taste for the progressive poles of hip hop, funk and soul, who will release his sixth studio album City Pop next month. “Not Enough” is the record’s first offering, produced with label-mate Mayer Hawthorne.

Speaking of the track, Benny notes how effective their collaboration was: “We came up with a groove and some lyrics, but the actual song developed in my studio back in Amsterdam. But that drum track made by Mayer is super powerful. So then the rest becomes easier. If you listen close you can also hear Mayer beatboxing in the background.”

The track charmingly captures the frustrating games and chase of love, starting with Benny playing hard to get after an ex-lover calls him up with her tail between her legs – “It’s not enough / You can’t take my dreams and just bring them back”, he stubbornly asserts over a spritely piano line and Thundercat-esque bass cadences.

After a glorious break in which a trombone dances spiritedly with a saxophone in two sublime solos, reflecting the back and forth of our two lovers, Benny runs back almost comically mirroring her sentiment. But this time it’s his lovers turn: “It’s not enough, not like that”.