Music doesn’t only have to be heard; it can be felt on an emotional and even spiritual level. It can lead to feelings of transcendence, epiphany, and a deeper understanding of yourself and the world. The influences of music can even bleed into the visuals associated with it, such as music videos or an artist’s overall style. Alt-pop artist BENEE doesn’t just make music. She creates a work of art that can be heard, seen, and felt by her fans. Originally from New Zealand and now continuing her musical journey in Los Angeles, BENEE creates experimental music that carries existential weight. Her first viral hit song, “Supalonely” featuring Gus Dapperton, was released in 2019. Since then, BENEE has released three EPs and two albums, with the most recent album being Ur an Angel I’m Just Particles, released on Nov. 7, 2025. This singer-songwriter has toured the world with artists such as Conan Gray, Wallows, Olivia Rodrigo, and Tate McRae. She’ll also be performing on her own upcoming headlining tour, the Particles Tour, in early 2026. From her exciting collaborations to her growth after her breakout hit, both BENEE and her music have evolved and led to her sophomore album. I had the incredible opportunity to chat with BENEE about Ur an Angel I’m Just Particles and the process of creating the album. Her personality shone through the entire time I talked to her and extends even further into her music and visual style.
Creating the Album
When BENEE began to write the tracks for Ur an Angel I’m Just Particles, she learned that the artistic direction of the album would unfold and make sense over time. In a way, everything fell right into place. The album title itself came from a lyric the singer wrote in a demo a few years ago that captured her attention. She aimed to blend the ethereal world she’s been building in her music with the scientific and existential vibe. The songs created for the album incorporated an array of emotions, feelings, and perspectives. So, when BENEE assembled the tracklist’s order, she decided to follow a special narrative (something she hadn’t done as much in the past).
“It does kind of feel… like the cycle of a mental breakdown,” she told me, discussing how she chose “Demons” as the first song and “Heaven” as the last one. She arranged the songs to evolve from obsession to ascent, using the first and last tracks to frame this story.
Feeling of Transcendence
Throughout Ur an Angel I’m Just Particles, every song ties into a theme of transcendence and existence. BENEE wasn’t directly trying to write about transcending, but later realized that that’s what came about while working on the visuals for the record. “When it came to finding my favorites, they all had this through line that was really showing this emotional turmoil,” BENEE said. She explained further that she wrote so many songs about different emotions and situations, but her move from New Zealand to Los Angeles led to her feeling existential and creating songs that reflected that. BENEE felt that sometimes when writing the songs, she’d start to visualize how a video could bring the tune to life, leading to the metaphorical world she created for her fans to enjoy with her album.
“I always have a pretty strong idea of a visual world… even when it comes to starting a project… [but] it came to this point where I wanted to make an album… that had a theme that was really strong.”
BENEE
The Distinctive Songs
BENEE values every song on the album and recognizes the effort and reflection that each one took to bring to life. Looking at the overall meaning of Ur an Angel I’m Just Particles, the singer-songwriter believes that two songs capture its essence the most. “Chainmail” thematically ties in with the motif of sculptural armor and the importance of having a thick skin due to the chaos of the world. “Doomsday” relates to how the COVID-19 pandemic had a “weird apocalyptic end-of-the-world kind of vibe,” according to BENEE, and follows the existential theme of the record. The artist also recognized how live instruments play a role in studio-recorded tracks, with “Cinnamon” featuring a cello in its bridge to evoke deep emotional feelings. While some of the songs came about with ease, others were more difficult to create. For example, BENEE explained that “Heaven” was the first song she’s written about losing someone, and it is very sentimental. Additionally, “Underwater” originally sounded too muffled and underwater, so BENEE had to realize that songs could have too many components in them and needed simplification. Every song had unique challenges, but this singer was able to make them all flow together and impact fans in various ways.
Support and Collaboration
Outside of just her sophomore album, BENEE has been able to gain support and find inspiration from others around the world. She loves collaborating with other artists and seeing how they can bring a different light to a song. For example, “Princess” on her recent record has a “secret” feature with PinkPantheress, who BENEE respects as being so talented. She has also found incredible collaborators outside of singers and rappers, such as supportive producers whom she can feel comfortable around. The support that BENEE receives extends far beyond her team and musical collaborators, though. She finds support and inspiration in the people who have stuck with her from New Zealand to Los Angeles. The rough move contributed to how existential life feels for the artist, but she says that it’s inspiring to meet many different kinds of people in the various environments she’s lived in.
Visual Inspirations and Style
BENEE’s music videos, outfits, and other visuals are creative and surreal. Her style doesn’t just exist with her new album, but has been a part of her before that. The artist describes herself as a “sponge [that absorbs] everything around [her, with not] just one person or one [other specific inspiration].” She’s especially drawn to bold colors, patterns, and generally funky aesthetics. BENEE also mentions that the Harajuku style of fashion is so eclectic and unapologetic, something that she feels inspired by. With her music videos (another form of expression for her), she ties in various motifs to match the song and the album overall. While BENEE prefers working on a set with a big budget to have the most freedom possible, she’s also enjoyed creating DIY videos (such as the one for “Cinnamon”) with just a camera, creative ideas, and a good editor.
Growth Over Time
With BENEE’s sophomore album now released, she reflects more on her growth and progress over time. She revealed how comforting returning home to New Zealand is for shows. That’s where she performed her first concerts, so there’s a feeling of nostalgia and warmth there from friends, family, and the audiences. A lot has changed since her first hit song, “Supalonely,” and her first EP, FIRE ON MARZZ, but the core of her music and how it reflects her as an artist stays the same. With Ur an Angel I’m Just Particles, BENEE feels a lot wiser, as if she’s just growing up and waking up. She’s learned to write about everything and not to hold back, and now sees how the struggles she’s faced or the traits she was bullied for can be woven into songs that people find comfort in.
“I’m really grateful and also happy to… be able to make people feel a little less alone in the world,” BENEE said, considering how much larger her audience is now and how many more songs she’s released for them to enjoy.
While the fans of alt-pop artist BENEE all come from different backgrounds and have unique life stories, they all connect with the experimental and existential music that she creates. Her entire personality, from her strengths to her mistakes, shines through in every lyric and every detail of production. The singer’s sophomore album, Ur an Angel I’m Just Particles, is the culmination of so many emotions and thoughts about living, allowing for introspective reflections and spiritual realizations. I am so grateful to have had the chance to talk with BENEE about her album, creative process, and how she incorporates her individuality into her artistry. She is an incredibly talented artist with a bright future ahead of her. Be sure to listen to Ur an Angel I’m Just Particles on your favorite streaming platforms, and catch her on the Particles Tour in early 2026 to experience her ethereal universe beyond the record.