The Secret by Ben Osborn

"The Secret" combines intricate guitar-picking with a swirling texture of synthesisers and a subtle yet pervasive drum machine groove. Ben Osborn's lyrics meditate on the delicate "line between life and death" we all walk, in a deep baritone whisper. The lyrics are characteristically cryptic, but embedded in the music’s gentle momentum, they cast a compelling spell. As Ben explains, "it’s about what is shared by many but not able to be voiced - the fact of being alive, which is actually a delicate and improbable state - or the fact of being able to love or to be loved. It embodies the delicateness and messiness we always carry with us; even if we hide it as a secret, it's a secret that everyone knows."
British folk-singer Bethany Roberts' haunting vocal harmonies and reverb-drenched banjo picking complete the track's distinctly immersive texture; a modern folk song with darker, electronic depths.
The song's b-side, "Between", is a dusky piano and analogue synthesiser instrumental, incorporating the natural ambience of a fireplace in winter and the unique sonic surroundings of the remote Nonostar Studio.

The tracks are taken from the upcoming Studies E.P., created in collaboration with multidisciplinary artist Andrea Huyoff as a transdisciplinary artistic project; at once a performance piece, a work of video art, an E.P. of poetic pop songs and a series of lectures. These "studies" focus on themes of society, identity and love - drawing on both a deeply personal first-person narrative and an analytical, critical gaze.

nonostar.lnk.to/thesecret
https://nonostarrecords.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/ben.osborn.music
https://web.facebook.com/benosbornmusic/

“studies” EP out 20th of May

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