Night Garden

For the British children's television series, see In the Night Garden...

"Night Garden"
Single by Benee featuring Kenny Beats and Bakar
from the album Hey U X
Released15 July 2020
StudioThe Cave (Los Angeles)
Length3:41
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)
Benee singles chronology
"Lownely"
(2020) 		"Night Garden"
(2020) 		"Snail"
(2020)

"Night Garden" is a song by New Zealand singer Benee featuring American producer Kenny Beats and British musician Bakar, released on 15 July 2020 as the lead single from her debut studio album Hey U X (2020).

Background and composition

"Night Garden" was recorded in the Cave", Kenny Beats' studio in Burbank, California, shortly before the introduction of COVID-19 lockdowns around the world.[1][2] The song became Benee's first release following the popularization of the song "Supalonely" which initially was initially released as part of her EP Stella & Steve (2019) but later became the third single.[3] The commercial success of "Supalonely" led it to becoming a sleeper hit, with Benee performing the song on both The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.[4][5]

Critical reception

In terms of musical genre, Mike Wass of Idolator noted that "Night Garden" "falls somewhere between alt-R&B and alt-pop."[6] Chris DeVille of Stereogum described Kenny Beats' production as "hard-hitting yet surprisingly low-key,"[7] while David Renshaw of The Fader described the instrumental as a "low-slung beat" which Benee maintains by "keep[ing] things in a similarly downbeat mood as she sings of things creeping in her dreams".[3] DeVille noted that "despite the music’s relatively laidback vibes, Benee’s lyrics are paranoid. [...] She switches into rich, soulful singing for the chorus."[7] Ruby Scott of Ones to Watch described "Night Garden" as "jaw-dropping from start to finish," while drawing resemblance between Benee's "restrained delivery" and that of both Björk and Billie Eilish.[8] DIY described the song as an "example of Benee’s skill at crafting infectious pop bops".[9] Cameron Adams of Herald Sun described "Night Garden" as "a Wu-Tang-inspired, hip hop influenced single".[10] Happy Australia noted that the song was "a change in scenery from Benee’s usual brand of summery pop".[11]

Live performances

On 19 July 2020, Benee performed the track on the premiere of The Sound, a music television programme broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.[10]

Charts

Chart performance for "Night Garden"
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[12] 26
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[13] 4
New Zealand Artist Singles (RMNZ)[14] 12

References

  1. ^ Fuamoli, Sose (16 July 2020). "First Spin: BENEE links up with Kenny Beats and Bakar on the creepy-cool 'Night Garden'". triple j. ISSN 2203-0905. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  2. ^ Brandle, Lars (16 July 2020). "Benee Takes a Walk Through 'Night Garden'". Billboard. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  3. ^ a b Renshaw, David (16 July 2020). "Benee teams up with Kenny Beats and Bakar on "Night Garden"". The Fader. ISSN 1533-5194. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  4. ^ Triscari, Caleb (16 July 2020). "Benee drops new track, 'Night Garden', with Kenny Beats and Bakar". NME. ISSN 0028-6362. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  5. ^ Johnson, Patrick (15 July 2020). "BENEE Connects With Kenny Beats and Bakar for "Night Garden"". Hypebeast. ISSN 2304-1250. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  6. ^ Wass, Mike (15 July 2020). "BENEE Follows Up "Supalonely" With "Night Garden"". Idolator. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  7. ^ a b DeVille, Chris (15 July 2020). "Benee - "Night Garden" (Feat. Kenny Beats & Bakar)". Stereogum. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  8. ^ Scott, Ruby (15 July 2020). "BENEE Links with Bakar and Kenny Beats For the Jaw-Dropping "Night Garden"". Ones to Watch. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  9. ^ "BENEE releases new single 'Night Garden'". DIY. 16 July 2020. ISSN 1863-9275. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  10. ^ a b Adams, Cameron (17 July 2020). "How Benee is conquering the world from her home". Herald Sun. ISSN 1038-3433. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  11. ^ Hansen, Ben (17 July 2020). "Happy Listening: The 6 best new releases of the week". Happy. ISSN 2206-2661. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  12. ^ "Benee feat. Kenny Beats & Bakar – Night Garden" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  13. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 27 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  14. ^ "NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 27 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.