The self titled EP is Benerl’s debut body of work. “EL” means a god in Hebrew. Selase in “ewe” means the hearer/God has heard me.
How will it feel if you could hear God in your ears?
But in melodies through a god? El Selase is who Benerl wants to show us. He wants every listener to feel what he feels when he and the melodies become one. It’s an experience. It is a journey just like he listed on the fist song on the EP, “Destination.”
Destination is a groovy Afrobeats Amapiano track that features bold lyrics and strong bass lines that exude authority projecting confidence with firm commanding energy. It creates an aura of strength, leadership, determination and an unyielding attitude. It is music that puts you in charge, perfect for bossy, confident, uplifting, happy, energetic, party and festive moods. It is an upbeat electrifying tune that emphasizes the importance of the journey over the destination. It is fueled by what this god has experienced and how the destination may be where every travelers joy is. The journey has all the thrill, not the destination. The highs and lows, the good and ugly make up of the reward at the end. Everyone is in so much of a hurry to get to the destination but what is there to do at the end of the journey? When we get there we will look back and realize it was not the destination. It was the journey!
Song 2, “Stay”. It describes how far we go to please those we love and how it wrecks us in every way we don’t see until we are almost beyond repair and still end up losing it all. Why then did we fight so hard and so long? It tells a tale of how we reshape the things we love to do, eat, sing, dress up, behave, smile etc all to please those we love. It also highlights the mental self destruction we put ourselves through by trying to stay in situations that consume us more than anyone could notice. Unfortunately by the time we are ready to step out of such situations we may leave damaged, broken or too fragile to be put together again. Oh how crisps Benerl’s vocals are layered on this masterpiece. It’s settling, sad and still hopeful. In putting this masterpiece together you hear the growl of the god El Selase describing how much pain comes at everyone, mortal or not. .
The EP swims to track 3, Harmony Song is a soul-stirring ballad that captures the essence of resilience in the pursuit of happiness and love. El Selase again describes the extent we go to express our love for our significant others only to be found hanging. His evocative vocals, accompanied by delicate piano melodies and lush string arrangements, create an immersive listening experience that tugs at the heartstrings. From the beginning to the sound finally fading out, all you hear is beauty and peace. Thereby the name; Harmony Song. It goes on to showcase Benerl’s unparalleled artistry versatility and vocal prowess on one song. Yet again showing his ability to craft timeless compositions. If you need any type of healing leave this on repeat and watch all the weight on your shoulders disappear.
On the fourth track of the EP, Xtraordinary by Benerl is an electrifying Afropop track blending highlife, afrobeats, and dancehall, celebrating modern romance, luxury, and love. It portrays a confident lover promising security while touching on heartbreak. It is an expression of confidence and vulnerability in one song. This high- vibrational tune tells the story of a wealthy man assuring his lover and promising her not only love but also emotional and financial security. The tune goes on to share how unlucky he has been with love and hoping this new found one finally works out.”Xtraordinary” like this body of work is a vibrant and enchanting Afropop track that seamlessly blends elements of dancehall, highlife, and afrobeats.The chorus is a standout, with its memorable hooks and uplifting harmonies that are sure to get listeners to sing and dance along. Xtraordinary shares Benerl’s strong belief that love should be easy and not so difficult as often described.
“Oh Benerl” Oh Benerl is the perfect finale to the body of work; EL Selase. Sailing emotions through soothing and inspiring chords and melodies, Benerl tells a story of lessons learned and finding fulfillment in the process of doing what makes you happy. He acknowledges that death is inevitable so we all should make time for what’s truly important. The god says “When I think about El Selase and this particular song I want the listener to feel every lyric and know what runs through my mind. At the end of the EP you will be able to tell that I’ve shown you everything from the beginning of my journey till wherever we are now. I am a simple man. Only some things truly matter and I am blessed to know and understand this. At the end of the day, I have lived, I have loved, I have shared my melodies and that’s enough. Grateful for every moment and for what was, what is and what is to come. I hope this song inspires you to find what is enough for you too. I am not asking you not to chase the beautiful things in life. But make sure you find whats enough for you and do that. I have! I hope you do too. This body of work not only highlights Benerl’s versatility as an artist but also his ability to craft songs that are deeply resonant and universally appealing.
These songs are a testament to Benerl’s artistry, showcasing his knack for blending genres and creating music that is as emotionally rich as it is rhythmically compelling. With its captivating melodies, engaging lyrics, and pulsating energy, “El Selase” promises to leave a lasting impression on fans of Afropop and beyond.
Tap on this link to listen to the Ep on all streaming platforms: https://lnk.to/Benerl-ElSelase
