| Lychee | ||||
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| EP by | ||||
| Released | 4 March 2022 | |||
| Length | 25:46 | |||
| Label | Republic | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Benee chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Lychee | ||||
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Lychee is the third extended play by New Zealand singer-songwriterBenee released on 4 March 2022 throughRepublic Records. Consisting of seven tracks and a duration of around twenty-five minutes, it was primarily produced byJosh Fountain, who was accompanied byGreg Kurstin,Kenny Beats, andRostam. The album centers on emotional turmoil, relationships, and personal growth. For its concept and title, Bennett was having trouble choosing an adequate title, so she had decided to go with a name of something she loved.
Lychee was expected to have an experimental approach.[1] She named the EP after thefruit of the same name as she was having trouble choosing a satisfactory title, so she went with the name of something she loved.[1] Much ofLychee was developed and recorded in Los Angeles with a number of well-known producers, specificallyKenny Beats,Greg Kurstin, andRostam.[2][3] Benee had never previously collaborated with the latter two musicians.[1] She also initially worked on the project in her home country of New Zealand with regular collaborator Josh Fountain.[2][1]
However, she preferred engaging in the creative process in Los Angeles due to stringentCOVID-19 lockdown measures in place at the time in New Zealand, which made her feel hopeless and at a loss for song ideas.[2][4] She additionally considered collaborating with Fountain, though a positive experience, to not push her out of her comfort zone enough.[1]
The EP opener, "Beach Boy," was described by Benee as a "pure fantasy" set in Los Angeles. It lyrically discusses the conflicting feelings of the early stages of a relationship, where one may simultaneously be contempt with being alone and also still crave romance.[5][3] Itsindie sound was inspired byThe Japanese House.[1] Second track "Soft Side" containshyperpop andhouse influences, while Benee made "Hurt You, Gus" to channel the energy she felt during New Zealand's lockdowns.[2][6] Fourth track "Never Ending" incorporates elements of rock music and is followed by "Marry Myself," which has a lighter tone that is infused withdrum and bass.[2]
"Doesn't Matter" is a "mellow" song surrounding Benee's attempts to cope with her mental health issues, including anobsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) diagnosis, and how people often misunderstand the realities of mental health problems.[1][7] It is another song she created to channel her lockdown anxiety and was one of the first made forLychee overall.[6][1] While "Make You Sick," is a "trippy" experimental electronic song with freestyled lyrics.[5][2] Originally thirteen minutes in length and intended for a New Zealand runway show before theCOVID-19 pandemic, it was eventually cut down to just under seven minutes.[5]
Before the release ofLychee, two of its tracks were released as singles: "Doesn't Matter" in October 2021 and "Beach Boy" in February 2022.[3][7] The latter would be accompanied by a music video.[8] "Never Ending" was released as a third single concurrently with the EP.[6] The EP had reached the top 15 of theNew Zealand Albums Chart.[9]
In support of the project, Benee would embark on a North American headlining tour beginning on 31 May 2022 inMontreal before heading stateside with stops in several cities;Washington D.C.,Seattle,Los Angeles, as well as festival sets atGovernors Ball andBonnaroo.[4]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| DIY |   [10] |
| God Is in the TV | 7/10[11] |
Bella Martin ofDIY said, "The seven-track 'Lychee' sees the New Zealander showing off a sound that's distinctly her own."[10] Max Mazonowicz ofGod Is in the TV said, "Lychee is a lovely slice of chilled out slacker-pop. Opener 'Beach Boy' is an excellent slow burner, while 'Hurt You, Gus' is a beat heavy break-up song. It's a slick yet homebrew set of songs from the New Zealander and well worth your time."[11]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Beach Boy" | Kurstin | 3:12 | |
| 2. | "Soft Side" |
| Kenny Beats | 2:24 |
| 3. | "Hurt You, Gus" |
| Fountain | 2:51 |
| 4. | "Never Ending" |
| Rostam | 3:57 |
| 5. | "Marry Myself" |
| Kurstin | 3:02 |
| 6. | "Doesn't Matter" |
| Fountain | 3:23 |
| 7. | "Make You Sick" |
| Fountain | 6:47 |
| Total length: | 25:46 | |||
Credits were adapted fromTidal.[12]
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| Chart (2022) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[9] | 13 |