In his latest single “Dark Dreams”, singer-songwriter Ben Sefton delves into the murky depths of insecurities with a refreshing blend of candour and humour. The track, which marries elements of lounge-folk and dark pop, offers listeners an unfiltered glimpse into Sefton’s thoughts. It’s been a year since he’s released new music with this acting as the follow-up to “Crush” which was released in January 2023.
Despite its unnerving themes, “Dark Dreams” strikes a delicate balance between discomfort and amusement, inviting introspection into the concealed quirks and vulnerabilities we all harbour. The captivating conceptual vibe brings dream-like energy through the speakers while the multi-layered vocals add drama as well as a haunting melodic rhythm that has a nightmarish lullaby quality to it.
Creatively unique, we’re not surprised to see that this has already become his most popular song on Spotify, raking in thousands of streams. The whistle tones add to the harmonised vocals intriguing the listener throughout and guaranteed to make an impact on any bad dream-inspired playlist. On YouTube, the lyric video has also garnered significant views, showcasing his popularity in the indie music scene.
Reflecting on the inspiration behind “Dark Dreams”, Sefton reveals that the song originated from a particularly unsettling dream experience. “This is a song I started writing after a bad dream, where all of my deepest insecurities were exposed,” he explains. “My hopes at romance had utterly failed and my perverted longings for certain acquaintances were bizarrely explored (as in every dream I’ve ever had, I guess).”
Following his graduation from Selkirk College’s Contemporary Music & Technology Program in 2015, Sefton’s musical journey truly began. His enthusiasm for songwriting transformed into an all-consuming passion going on to create hundreds of compositions that remain unreleased. Drawing inspiration from the infectious pop melodies of icons like The Beach Boys and Frank Ocean, Sefton has meticulously crafted a unique style defined by raw lyrical honesty and playful linguistic artistry, truly paving his own way through music.
His debut single, “Humans”, released in March 2020, garnered significant attention from the press and music fans alike. The accompanying video, boasting artwork by the same artist who created Grimes’ digital Rolling Stones cover, amassed nearly 100,000 views and universal acclaim. That same year, he was pleased to receive an SK Arts Independent Artist’s recording grant.
Sefton’s musical evolution has been shaped by esteemed mentors and professors at Selkirk College (alumni of which include Kiesza and Meghan Trainor), where he explored composition and harmony. Under the guidance of vocal coach Laura Landsberg and intensive guitar practice, Sefton has honed his craft, drawing inspiration from luminaries like John Mayer and Frank Sinatra.
With “Dark Dreams”, Sefton continues to captivate audiences with his introspective lyricism and genre-bending soundscapes, paving the way for an exciting chapter in his musical journey. We can’t wait to see what he goes on to release next.
“Dark Dreams”, by Ben Sefton, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms, via Sons of Melchizedek.
