Ben Rice’s “Future Pretend” – Easygoing and Inspiring

After the release of Ben Rice’s newest project on February 19, Brooklyn Roads was fortunate enough to get to listen in on his new album, Future Pretend.

Rice is a songwriter, producer, mixer and engineer native to Brooklyn, who has grown up in the borough and works out of his studio, Degraw Sound, founded in 2012 in the Park Slope/Gowanus area. His latest project is the first full album to be released by him as a solo artist.

Ben Rice – On The Street / photo by Drew Reynolds

The perfect album to play in the car on a long and carefree drive, Rice blends the mainstream sounds of pop, indie and rock to create an easygoing feel. Of the nine songs in total on the album, Rice previously released four of them as singles at the end of 2020, and one more, “One and Only,” released in late January.

Ben Rice On The Board at Degraw Sound / photo by Drew Reynolds

The album’s first track and a personal favorite, “Everything Changes,” can easily get stuck in one’s head. There is a constant reminder of a soulful feeling when listening, whether it is the production of the piano and electric guitar together, which makes you want to dance in your seat, or the inspiring message of the lyrics, such as “we’re only here for a little while.”

Rice has a way with words, as all his lyrics string together vivid imagery. In some of the later tracks on the album, “The Hard Road” and “Maybe I’m the Enemy,” listeners can hear entire narratives told in just a short, three-minute period. These songs hold clear messages, as well as some of the perfect structures of a story line, a powerful intro, a message, and a connection.

Ben Rice /photo by Drew Reynolds

The last track on the album, “Parade Ground,” closes out on an acoustic note and features a homage to Brooklyn, as Rice mentions such iconic destinations as Cortelyou Road and Aberdeen Street. The stripped-down song makes for easy listening while it acknowledges Rice’s roots.

While no two songs are exactly alike, the use of the same instruments on each track creates a sense of familiarity and soothes the listener into knowing they won’t be experiencing any unexpected sounds. We cannot wait to see what is next for Ben Rice!