Under the moniker of Mutual Benefit, singer-songwriter Jordan Lee delivers his new release, Love’s Crushing Diamond.
Lee’s baroque-folk meets synth-pop outfit has been described as amorphous, alternating between a solo project to a collective depending on his location and the company around him.
Perhaps it is this fluidity that makes it so easy to get lost in the ethereal realm of this record. There is a dreamlike quality that flows seamlessly throughout all seven tracks, conjuring a nostalgic sense of serenity.
Lee’s delicate vocals complement the reflective, honest, and at times vulnerable nature of his lyrics. The guest female vocals on ‘That Light That’s Blinding’ also allows for some enchanting harmonisations.
The songs may seem sonically minimalistic on the surface. However, after a closer listen, the intricate layers are revealed in the twinkle of wind chimes, the soft static of the amplifier, fine strings, and the playfulness of wooden xylophones. The intro of “Let’s Play / Statue Of A Man” even includes a Speak and Spell toy computer.
Complete with strings, the standout is the beautifully arranged ‘Advanced Falconry’, which tells a lovelorn tale of infatuation.
The album’s concise length of just over 30 minutes does not leave any room for fillers. Indeed, Love’s Crushing Diamond is worth listening to as a whole. Opener ‘Strong River’ and closing number ‘Strong Swimmer’ each work as eloquent bookends to an impressive catalogue of songs.
Listen to ‘Let’s Play / Statue Of A Man’ from Love’s Crushing Diamond here:
