Only Congrats Could Make Mind-Numbing Heartbreak Sound This Good

The solo project of Slowly Slowly frontman Ben Stewart, Congrats, has been going from strength to strength in 2020. His recent single, the sleek and passionate “Russian Roulette”, immediately filled the trap-pop, Post Malone-shaped hole in our hearts, and his newest release “Lobotomy” is just as satisfying.

With a distinguishing charm and magnetism, the track effortlessly melts through glitchy, glittery, transcendental production choices, with Ben’s passion-filled vocals cutting through the noise and hitting you straight in the heart. The lyricism is, of course, incredible - it’s what Ben is becoming famous for in the Aussie music scene, and no one can convey helpless, flayed-open heartbreak quite like him.

Congrats was born from what Stewart refers to as a self-awakening. After growing up a fan of punk, rock and hardcore, he found his tastes broadened as he matured; he began to fall in love with modern pop, hip-hop, and the big studio sounds that accompanied both.

“I wanted the songs to feel classic despite being suited up in modern production, but I didn’t know if it was possible,” said Stewart. “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.”

Soon his skillset had completely re-developed from everything he’d learned in his already successful career as a DIY indie rocker, as this new approach opened up a world of possibilities. The result has been two soaring early singles, with an EP set to follow later in 2020 via new label partner and Australian indie stalwarts Dew Process – a prospect that Stewart is clearly primed for.