When we last spoke with singer-songwriter Benton Crane, he was awaiting the release of “Invisible Child,” a single that he felt would “culminate in a full-length album.” So, it’s no surprise that one year later we’re seeing the release of Crane’s newest album, Winter’s Mistress, which kicks off with none other than the aforementioned track. His plan for 2024 was to release monthly singles, and when that vision came to fruition, the final result was this twelve-track, full-length album. Innovative and unique, the entirety of Winter’s Mistress is full-bodied modern-day rock ‘n’ roll at its core.
Of the single-per-month strategy, Crane said that he felt “pushed to explore even more personal truths in my music.” Having “taken some time to experiment with new sounds and styles of making music,” he was stretched creatively, “pushing musical boundaries and digging deeper as an artist.” What came from the past year of experimentation and exploration — personally and professionally — is an organic and seamless album that is often smooth, sometimes joyously busy, and altogether indulgently interesting from start to finish.
Crane was all in during the creative process behind the album — which he described as immersive —and found him “constantly crafting and birthing these songs.” While some songs came to life almost instantly, others took some time to evolve and reach their final form. Deeply introspective yet hopeful, he explained that “some songs focus on mental health recovery, some are meant to provide layers of escapism through psychedelia, and others touch on lost love and finding hope.”
Each song, however, is its own journey. For instance, “Invisible Child” touches on mental health, while “Hang On” is about navigating relationships. Other songs are intended to help listeners simply let go, like the soundscape “Melt (Void).” Other than “Edge of the World,” which was written in 2018, each song was written in the past year and a half.
More notable moments in Winter’s Mistress are “Living Outstretched” and “Ghosts (Part I),” which feature “some fabulous guitar work” by Crane’s “good friend and long-time collaborator, Andrew Krist of Manic Vision.” Those collaborations have been so successful for this album that Crane hopes to collaborate more in the near future with musicians and producers who inspire him. Plus, there are more Crane-Krist collaborations in the works as well. He also hopes to explore different styles of music and possibly work his way into recording a cover or two.
Crane sees music as a connecting force in society and believes music can bring people together. “Sharing what makes me human invites others into a space of vulnerability where connection can truly flourish,” he reflected. Expanding his reach as an artist and connecting with people on “a very deep and human level is, in a nutshell, why I create art.”
Listen to Winter’s Mistress on Spotify here.