From Indie Rock Sensation to Rising Pop Icon: How Congrats Found A New Groove on "Russian Roulette"
It’s certainly not uncommon for members of successful bands to pursue a solo career: it gives them the opportunity to explore their own sound that may or may not align with that of their group. For Ben Stewart of Slowly Slowly, this exploration came at the height of the indie outfit’s peak. Now, under the name Congrats, Stewart aims to take on the pop scene while maintaining the credibility he earned as Slowly Slowly’s frontman.
Growing up a fan of hardcore and punk music, Stewart tapped into modern pop and hip-hop later on in life, developing an appreciation for the genres. He’s since taken that inspo and brought into his Congrats project; his debut single, “Russian Roulette” is exemplary of this. With a soaring, pop/punk-inspired chorus mixed with subtle trap beats, the track would not be amiss on a Post Malone record -- which hints at potential pop success. While it’s definitely a shift from the Slowly Slowly style fans are accustomed to, there’s no doubt that Stewart’s charismatic, distinct vocals and personality remain ever-present.
On his upcoming music, Stewart says:
“I wanted the songs to feel classic despite being suited up in modern production, but I didn’t know if it was possible. I didn’t know if my songs would work inside a pop housing. I was listening to artists who push the boundaries of rap and trap music like Roddy Ricch, Yung Lean and Post Malone – I get the same feelings of excitement when I tap into the energy of their music as I did when I first found heavy music. I can feel the same pain and it has filled my sails for exploring new territory. I want to be uncomfortable again.”
As Congrats, Stewart teamed up with prolific German-Aussie producer Konstantin Kersting (Mallrat, The Jungle Giants, Tones & I) to create a myriad of pop songs that would soon become a brand new EP arriving later this year. There’s no question that Congrats is one to watch in 2020, and fans will be indubitably keen to see a new side of Stewart that hasn’t been tapped into before.
