British singer-songwriter Ben Denny Mo is transforming personal adversity into creative triumph with his brand-new EP, “The Norfkl Tapes”. The sophomore project stands as a testament to resilience, artistry, and authenticity, with each track offering a glimpse into his journey from struggle to strength. This acts as the follow-up to the third single from this EP release, titled “Lay Me Down”.
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Originally from the serene countryside of Norfolk and now based on the Maltese island of Gozo, Ben Denny Mo has cultivated a sound that feels both grounded and expansive. His music intertwines acoustic folk, pop, and soul influences, guided by a storyteller’s sensibility and a heartfelt delivery. Drawing comparisons to artists such as Jonah Kagen, Dave Matthews Band, and John Martyn, his songs resonate with raw emotion, introspection, and a natural sense of rhythm shaped by the ebb and flow of his island surroundings.
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The Studio Journey Behind “The Norfkl Tapes”
Blending heartfelt songwriting with a refined sense of craft, “The Norfkl Tapes” brings together eight songs that showcase the depth of Ben Denny Mo’s sound and vision. Working alongside producer Jack Murphy, whose credits include Youth Killed It, Ben Denny Mo expanded his initial acoustic sketches into full-bodied compositions layered with rhythm, warmth, and melodic detail. One of the collection’s centrepieces, “Medusa”, came to life through additional recording sessions with Rhys Downing (Mark Ronson, The Last Dinner Party), before being mastered by Christian Wright at Abbey Road Studios—a name behind some of the biggest releases from Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, and Blur. The result is a record that feels simultaneously rooted in raw emotion and elevated by dynamic, polished production.
What Ben Denny Mo Says About the New EP
The EP’s title, “The Norfkl Tapes”, carries a deeper, personal meaning. For Ben Denny Mo, the name is a nod to his lifelong relationship with dyslexia—a condition that once made him feel misunderstood in the classroom, but ultimately pushed him toward self-expression through music.
“It was the reason I turned to music in the first place,” Ben reflects. “At school, I wasn’t allowed into certain classes because they didn’t understand dyslexia or think I was smart enough. Picking up a guitar showed me that none of that mattered.”
By embracing the phonetic spelling of “Norfolk” in the EP’s title, Ben Denny Mo transforms what once symbolised struggle into a statement of empowerment and individuality, reclaiming his story through his art.
Finding Meaning Through Music
With “The Norfkl Tapes”, Ben Denny Mo channels lived experience into songs that speak to connection, self-discovery, and resilience. Each track captures a different emotional landscape—moments of love, loss, and reflection—while maintaining the warmth and honesty that define his sound. His signature “two capo” guitar technique and soulful vocal tone lend the project a sense of intimacy, even when the arrangements swell with full-band energy.
On stage, that same authenticity shines through. Ben Denny Mo has built a reputation for heartfelt, engaging performances, gracing the stages of Glastonbury, Cambridge Folk Festival, Secret Garden Party, and Omeara London, with airplay support from BBC 6 Music and BBC Introducing, where he’s twice earned “Record of the Week”.
Track-by-Track Review of “The Norfkl Tapes”
Opening “The Norfkl Tapes” EP is “In The Breakdown”, which wastes no time launching into a pop-rock anthem packed with drive and emotion. Ben Denny Mo immediately commands attention with his powerful, gritty vocals, setting the tone for the journey ahead. It’s a compelling way to begin the EP—energetic, heartfelt, and instantly engaging. As the chorus hits, the rhythm surges forward with crashing drums and layered guitars, creating an addictive groove that lingers long after the song ends. Lyrically, it explores desperation and the search for solace in the wake of loss, touching on substance use as a coping mechanism amid darkness and despair.
Next up is “Lay Me Down”, where a raw, gritty vocal immediately draws listeners in against a backdrop of gentle acoustic guitar, placing Ben Denny Mo’s emotional depth front and centre. Singing straight from the heart, he delivers a beautifully affecting performance, punctuated by an addictive chorus and moments of striking falsetto that highlight his range and vulnerability. Lyrically, the track longs for comfort and stability with a partner, reflecting on shared memories and past conflicts while yearning for love, peace, and a place to call home.
The third track, “Medusa”, opens with melodic guitar and a rhythmic groove that instantly pulls you in. It has the feel of a polished pop song infused with street-performer charm—bright, catchy, and full of character. The steady instrumental lets Ben Denny Mo weave his vocals naturally into the beat, blending indie-pop energy with organic warmth. Tailor-made for live sets, it’s the kind of track that shifts the mood and re-energises a crowd. Showcasing his versatility, “Medusa” shines through its sound and storytelling, depicting a dangerous, materialistic woman likened to the mythological figure—a “killer with a poisonous glare” to whom the narrator willingly surrenders, even if it means being “turned to stone”.
Track four, “September”, radiates warmth from the moment it begins—a bright, melodic pop song filled with hope and heart. Ben Denny Mo delivers tender vocals that celebrate love and emotional strength, offering encouragement to a partner facing life’s challenges. The track’s uplifting energy is driven by crisp drums and crashing cymbals, with guitars and handclaps adding a vibrant, rhythmic pulse. It’s an irresistibly feel-good moment on the EP, pairing its positive message with a sound that feels alive and restorative.
Next comes “Change My Eyes”, where the guitars take the lead, driving the melody while the drums sit subtly behind, adding balance and texture. Sliding smoothly into the pop-rock style that suits Ben Denny Mo so well, it’s one of those tracks that lingers in your head long after the first listen. His gravelly vocals bring depth to the lyrics, which explore the aftermath of a breakup—the fading of affection, the spiral of emotional decline, and the isolation that follows. Touching on themes of self-destruction, mental health, and loss, it’s a poignant, relatable moment that will strike a chord with many listeners.
“You & I” is track six, stripping everything back to a tender acoustic arrangement, allowing Ben Denny Mo’s soft, delicate vocals to shine. His careful enunciation and emotional delivery ripple through the song, revealing both vulnerability and control. Showcasing his vocal prowess and storytelling ability, the track paints a picture of a fractured relationship through evocative metaphors of separation—from “passing ships” to “crossroads”—capturing the ache of longing and regret.
The seventh track, “Purple Face”, continues the acoustic flow of the previous song but adds a touch more soul, carried by Ben Denny Mo’s gritty, heartfelt vocals. The arrangement builds gradually, with guitars joined by ebbing drums that blend pop-rock textures into a laid-back, ballad-like atmosphere. Still reflecting on a breakup, he uses surreal imagery to depict his former partner, exploring sorrow and self-destructive thoughts while ultimately accepting her newfound happiness with someone else.
The closing track, “Asylum”, brings the EP full circle with a return to a more upbeat rock sound. Hard-hitting guitars burst in from the first few seconds, paired with a heartfelt vocal from Ben Denny Mo that makes it clear this track holds deep meaning. Through vivid storytelling, the lyrics follow a woman’s battle with drug addiction and emotional turmoil, while the narrator reflects on their failed relationship—questioning whether her substance use ultimately drove them apart. It’s a poignant, interconnected finale that ties together the emotional threads of the EP beautifully.
Feeding the Soul Through Music and Meaning
Beyond the stage and studio, Ben Denny Mo’s creative spirit continues to thrive on Gozo, where he also works as a chef, feeding both the body and the soul. His dual crafts share a common thread: care, connection, and creativity.
Through “The Norfkl Tapes”, this rising singer-songwriter transforms what once held him back into his greatest source of inspiration. The EP isn’t just a collection of songs; it’s a story of perseverance, self-acceptance, and the healing power of music.
“The Norfkl Tapes” is available now on vinyl, from his official Bandcamp store, with each copy including a bonus 13-track CD from the recording sessions—a fitting reward for listeners ready to dive deeper into Ben Denny Mo’s sonic world. The EP is also available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms, via Urby Records.
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