“These Two Windows”: A Glimpse into Alec Benjamin’s Mind

A unique voice in the pop industry is rare, several artists, however, are beginning to stray from the traditional “bubblegum pop” style including Alec Benjamin. Unlike other artists, the singer-songwriter’s voice carries a clear story in all of his music. Thinking of it almost as a formula, he explains how he feels in the beginning of each song, then uses the bridge to say what he’s going to do about it. Evolving from his mixtape, “Narrated for You”, his new music shows a deeper side of himself.

With a humble beginning of singing outside concert venues for artists such as Shawn Mendes, Alec Benjamin has risen in popularity creating hits such as “Let Me Down Slowly” featuring Alessia Cara which reached 15 million views on Youtube and has come a far way from the teenage boy who was dreaming of success. At age 26, the singer-songwriter has grown from releasing his first single in his college dorm room to performing on The Late Late Show with James Corden. Among his popular songs includes “Water Fountain” which gained popularity among TikTok users and “I Built a Friend” featured on America’s Got Talent in 2017.  He quickly gained success from his pop sound that differentiated him from other artists in how he told his own experiences through music. One particular song, “Six Feet Apart” depicts his experience with quarantine and wanting to be near someone, but not being able to. Following the single, the musician released his debut album These Two Windows on May 29, 2020 which features ten tracks. 

The title These Two Windows comes from a lyric in his single featured on the album “Mind is a Prison”. The two windows represent his eyes, which he is able to see the world through as they give him a perspective that only he is able to have in his own life as well as situations of those around him. For example, “Must Have Been the Wind”, talks about how he thought someone he knew might be facing domestic abuse. The song, “Mind is a Prison”---which he describes as his favorite on the album--- uses intricate lyrics to encompass how the mind can be a negative place that people aren’t able to leave. Similarly, “Demons,” another single on the album illustrates his struggles with his own personal demons as well as being grateful for the people who helped him through rough patches.

In no particular order, each song on the album in some way relates to Alec Benjamin’s life. Although “Jesus in LA” explains how LA isn’t what he expected, it also gives an analogy to finding meaning. Perhaps the most fitting idea of feeling like a different person is the song “Oh My God” describing how he felt like a different person. When asked about how he views his previous music, he talks about how it seems like it was made by a different person, one that was probably happier. This is apparent in his early track “I’m Not A Cynic” where he sings about how sometimes a person can’t see the glass “half full” because sometimes there’s just no water in it. Sometimes people aren’t being negative, they’re just having a bad day, which the 26 year old singer aims to depict.

Other songs from the album touched differing topics which many can relate to such as “Alimo”, which details the sense of not wanting to be confined in norms of society, and “The Book of You and I”, which carries a simplistic tune going well with the lyrics that tell of a young love story that broke off. Featuring an upbeat melody, “Match in the Rain” was created when Benjamin was thinking of two things that couldn’t go together as a metaphor for when a relationship just doesn’t work out. Lastly on the album is “Just Like you” where he talks about his father.

Differing from his previous works, These Two Windows is a bit darker as Alec Benjamin explains he has had more time alone than before from a mix of going on tour and living in LA. Having this time alone with his thoughts, has led to more reflection on himself resulting in a more inward glance, which is apparent in his music. One can clearly see how Narrated for You along with his previous works set the foundation for the young artist’s current music, which is constantly evolving as his experiences in life shift and expand as he learns more about himself. 

Truly valuing the lyrics of each song, the young artist clearly is a storyteller with a melody to match. His music stands out from other artists as it feels more personal and raw. While other songs may be more focused on melody or production, the lyrics in Alec Benjamin’s album are worded in a descriptive yet poetic way that resonates with fans of his music, undoubtedly leading to his growing success.

Listen to “These Two Windows” Below: