Novulent
1824 Press Conference - 01/27/26
By William Whitworth
In just a few short years, New Zealand alt-pop visionary BENEE has carved out a world entirely her own — one where off-kilter curiosity, emotional honesty, and lush, shape-shifting production coexist in perfect balance. Born Stella Bennett, the Auckland native first broke through with the viral spark of “Supalonely,” but she’s long since proven she’s far more than a moment. BENEE’s music blends dreamy textures with razor-sharp lyricism, capturing the uncertainty, humor, and heartbreak of early adulthood with disarming clarity. Guided by a fearless creative instinct and a voice that moves effortlessly between smoky vulnerability and playful charm, she continues to evolve with each release. For a generation navigating chaos and change, BENEE has become a singular, grounding presence — an artist who turns her inner world into something universally resonant.
Bursting out of Auckland’s alt-pop underground with an evocative blend of smoky vocals and introspective lyricism, BENEE has always marched to the beat of her own drum. Her second studio album, Ur an Angel I'm Just Particles — released November 7, 2025 — cements her evolution from breakout sensation to fully realized pop auteur. Written and recorded over three years across Auckland and Los Angeles, the record navigates a raw, emotionally charged arc of obsession, breakdown, chaos, and ascent, channeling the disorientation of new beginnings into ethereal, genre-bending soundscapes. Tracks like “Cinnamon,” “Sad Boiii,” and “Underwater” punctuate the album with haunting melodies and lyrical honesty that feels both intimate and universal. More mature, more daring, and deeply personal, Ur an Angel… marks BENEE’s confident claim to a space all her own — a world where vulnerability becomes art and transformation becomes sound.
Curious about the world of Ur An Angel I’m Just Particles? We caught up with BENEE to hear all about the album’s inspiration, process, and personal moments.
Q: This album marks a big shift for you. What sparked the creative direction behind Ur An Angel I’m Just Particles?
A: Moving from New Zealand to Los Angeles had a huge impact on me, both personally and creatively. Being in a new environment exposed me to realities I hadn’t seen before, from the fast pace of the city to the harsher sides of life. That turbulence pushed me to start asking bigger questions about identity, purpose, and the world around me. It shaped the album’s experimental sound while keeping it emotionally grounded. From the start, I imagined a visual and sonic world that reflected both my internal state and the eclectic energy of LA, pulling inspiration from everything I was seeing, feeling, and experiencing.
Q: You mentioned wanting more female voices involved in the production. Why was that important for this project?
A: The music industry can feel very male-dominated, so collaborating with Luka Kloser and Elvira Anderfjärd was really meaningful. Having other creative women in the room brought a different kind of trust and comfort, which allowed me to take bigger risks and experiment more with my sound. It wasn’t just about support—it shaped how the music came together, and the album feels more reflective of who I am now because of it.
Q: What moments on the album feel the most personal or cathartic for you?
A: “Heaven” is the emotional peak of the album. It was my first time writing about losing someone in a deeply personal way, and the process was both hard and cathartic. It really brought me a sense of relief and honesty. On the technical side, “Underwater” was the most challenging to finish—it took time to get the production exactly right. Overall, though, each track represents a chapter in the album’s arc, moving through obsession, breakdown, chaos, and ascent, so every song contributes to this larger emotional journey.
Photo creds jorge Rico
Q: When you think about the visual and conceptual world behind this album, what did you want listeners to feel when stepping into it?
A: I wanted the visuals to exist in a space between dream and reality—ethereal but grounded. The aesthetic draws from street fashion, playful textures, and eclectic inspirations, all layered over the album’s existential themes. It’s a world that mirrors my internal feelings: curious, a little uneasy, but ultimately hopeful. I wanted listeners to feel suspended between those emotions, as if entering a space that’s both imaginative and intimately human, where the music, visuals, and mood all connect.
