B-Side Guys

Behind-the-scenes architects rarely receive the spotlight they deserve. Benjamino—after a decade producing and writing for others—has emerged from studio shadows with “Whataboutism,” a neo-soul composition that transforms personal revelation into sonic sanctuary. Released in late March 2025, the single continues the monthly release strategy building toward their debut album “Cucino” while advancing their artistic narrative beyond February’s “9 Minutes.”

The track’s most striking feature lies in its meticulous sound design. A foundation of booming bassline paired with metronomic clicking creates immediate visceral discomfort—an intentional production choice that sonically embodies anxiety’s physical manifestations. This claustrophobic undercurrent provides stark contrast to Benjamino’s ethereal vocal harmonies, establishing the central dynamic tension that powers the entire composition: constraint versus liberation, panic versus reassurance.

This architectural approach to emotional representation demonstrates Benjamino’s technical expertise. Rather than merely describing anxiety through lyrics, they construct its auditory equivalent—allowing listeners to experience the sensation directly. When their vocals enter as counterpoint to this constrictive foundation, they function less as traditional performance and more as therapeutic intervention. The harmonies weave protective layers around the listener, creating what Benjamino describes as “a blanket in the cold.”

Contextually, “Whataboutism” gains additional resonance through its autobiographical elements. Written during Benjamino’s personal awakening to gender fluidity and pansexuality in their late twenties, the track documents the psychological tension between self-discovery and belonging. The chorus serves as recalibration point—a return to objective reality from subjective fear—reminding that internal criticism rarely reflects external perception.

This thematic exploration of projected fears proves particularly poignant coming from an artist whose professional foundation began with teaching five-year-olds their first piano notes. That pedagogical experience—guiding others through novice vulnerability—now informs Benjamino’s approach to their own self-revelation. The musical sophistication (which recently earned them an opening slot for Coldplay) becomes vehicle for emotional accessibility.

As second installment in Benjamino’s path toward “Cucino”—named for the Italian “I cook” in tribute to their heritage—”Whataboutism” suggests an artist combining ingredients with deliberate intention. By transforming personal discomfort into communal comfort, they offer listeners both acknowledgment of psychological struggle and navigational tools for weathering internal storms.