Photo: Imogen Wilson

It would be an understatement to say it has been a breakout year for New Zealand pop star BENEE. Her breakout hit, "Supalonely," has been a TikTok hit for months now, racking up over 336 million plays on Spotify alone. And the effervescent Kiwi shows no signs of slowing down with her latest star-studded collaboration, "Night Garden."

"Night Garden" sees BENEE joined by Bakar, whose single "Hell N Back" became not only his first ever Billboard chart entry but broke Kings of Leon's record for longest trip to No. 1 on the Adult Alternative Songs chart. Production is handled by none other than Kenny Beats, whose seal of approval is quickly becoming an indicator for lasting success not just in world of hip-hop but indie pop as well, having recently collaborated with the likes of Dominic Fike, Omar Apollo, and Deb Never.

This talented trio prove themselves a tour de force from the very opening moments of "Night Garden," playing off one another strengths to deliver a single that is jaw-dropping from start to finish. There is a twisted whimsy to BENEE's restrained delivery, evoking Björk and Billie Eilish in the same breath. Meanwhile Bakar's thick accent cuts through the twisting and twirling vines of the eponymous night garden and Kenny Beats' hypnotic production.

"Night Garden," with its inescapable ominous yet playful air, feels like a haunting vision for pop as a whole. And if 2020 has been any indication, BENEE is more than ready to lead the charge for that next wave. 

Listen to "Night Garden" below: