Ben Walker Captures Doom, Gloom, and Desperation in Fast Burning “Comet”
Comets, made of frozen gases, rock, and dust, are best known for their long, streaming tails made of released gas. They are brilliant sights to behold, though difficult to catch and fast to disappear. Ben Walker draws inspiration from these space snowballs for his evocative, acoustic single that reflects the journey of a relationship that very much mirrors the journey of a comet. With a soundscape full of hypnotic vocal harmonies, “Comet” gives us a tale of a relationship that burns hot and cold with a devotion that can weather all atmospheres.
The delicate instrumentals, paired with Ben’s airy and haunting vocals, usher forth a soundscape that balances the fieriness explored in the lyrics. Ben utilizes the nearly 4 1/2 minutes of the track to not only pour out his heart but also to showcase the breadth of his vocal range and control. From deep drops to soaring harmonies, the vocals also follow the arc of the relationship, again referencing the spacial bodies. Listeners experience the depth of affection – “even if we are doomed, I want you” – throughout the orchestral swells that flutter behind the lyrics. Similar to a comet, the production seems to shimmer and glow into a dazzling pinnacle, before burning out through a quieter and calmer end.
You can listen to “Comet” below, along with the entirety of Ben’s debut EP, Anglerfish.
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