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Enjoying a successful decade as one of the UK's finest songwriters and solo performers, Benjamin Francis Leftwich released his fifth studio album earlier this year 'Some Things Break' which sees a subtle reinvention in his sound and some of his most daring lyrics to date. Join him for a showcase of his finest music in our Sherling Studio.
Artistic transformation is often associated with a blast of fanfare – the dramatic unveiling of a new look, or lofty announcement of the revelation that prompted such a change. In the case of Benjamin Francis Leftwich, reinvention transpires with significantly more subtlety on his latest album, Some Things Break.
Embracing a more human and surrendered voice, Leftwich explores themes of acceptance and healing. His heartfelt lyrics, such as in the track “Break in the Weather,” convey hope and resilience with timeless piano melodies. The album captures raw emotions, including the pain of letting go in the title track. Throughout, Leftwich’s determination to confront his struggles shines through, creating authentic and heartfelt music.
“It feels like a new voice, in a way”, the York-born artist says. “I guess a more human and perhaps a more surrendered voice. Learning to hold on to certain things and let go of others with as much grace as possible… I feel like I’m hiding less on this record. Ultimately I think it’s a record about a kind of slow acceptance that some things break and for me – sometimes that’s necessary for healing.”
Fans of Leftwich’s earlier work will associate him with a rich but pared-back acoustic singer-songwriter sound. Hit songs such as “Atlas Hands” and “Shine” – both from his Top 40 debut Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm – were infused with a charming wistfulness, and the yearning for sweet escape. Fans and critics alike were struck by this new artist’s disarming honesty; his lyrics were lauded for their candidness and vulnerability.
Through the darkest times in Leftwich’s life, he’s been lifted by the people who taught him to hope. “Any day now, I swear, the sun’ll come up/ Broken heart’s gonna beat again,” he sings on gorgeous lead single “Break in the Weather”. As the track builds, so too does his resolve: “Don’t you give up/ The light’s gonna shine on everything.” There’s a timeless, expressive quality to Leftwich’s singing style, redolent of Frank Sinatra or Edith Piaf; each piano note lands like those rays of light bursting through clouded heavens, bright and full of promise. “I feel like there’s nowhere for me to hide on this record,” Leftwich says. “I’m proud of so much of my earlier work, but trying to replicate that now would feel very obsequious and fake. I’m proud of this – it’s from the heart.”
His latest album consists of ten tracks, all written and performed by Leftwich and follows his previous album ‘To Carry A Whale’, released in 2021. ‘Some Things Break’ was written over the course of the past two years at locations across the globe including London, Nashville, Washington and Stockholm. It was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Jimmy Hogarth (Amy Winehouse, Sia, Anohni & The Johnsons) and features collaborations with fellow songwriters including Mikky Ekko, The 1975’s Jamie Squire, Jon Green and more.
