Ben Auld writes songs whose heartbreak and wonder reveal themselves moments after the warmth of their beauty sinks in, like slipping into the ocean on a bronzy morning. Whether he’s singing about bookstores and porches or ghosts and space stations, the Bristol, UK-based singer-songwriter imbues his straight-to-tape gems with a radiant AM pop warmth. And on Lemongrass, due 9/16/2022 via Earth Libraries, that comfy songwriting crackles and pops somewhere between Roger McGuinn and Gram Parsons. Auld’s debut record brims with homespun charm, dazzling melodies, and lyrics that burrow deep into the heart. Throughout the album, the immaculately arranged compositions provide the perfect frame for smooth and rosiny vocals. Utilizing a series of reel-to-reel tape machines, Auld chose to meticulously stack his instrumentation rather than simplify; some songs have dozens of instrumental tracks, all assembled on tape. “I’d record three tracks, bounce that over, and then record another three. I did it alone and it took a long time to figure out what was possible,†he says. “I went through two four-track recorders, an 8-track 1/2" reel-to-reel, and finished the album on a TASCAM 388. One of the biggest challenges of the album was fixing all the broken old gear.†With each new listen, Lemongrass becomes a fonder friend, Auld’s heart-on-his-sleeve lyricism and intimate songwriting building a deeper nest. “The time is ours/ Our time is now,†he insists on the psychedelic wonder of “Our Time Is Nowâ€, more certain and wide-eyed than urgent. Through first love and heartbreak, dawns and apocalypses, Lemongrass keeps turning, collecting flickers of astral bliss with each rotation, Auld’s thumping heartbeat at the core.
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.
Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Ortofon 2M Blue Premounted
Mounted on the SH-4 Black Headshell, this setup delivers exceptional clarity, dynamic range, and accurate sound reproduction.
-
HumminGuru: Ultrasonic Vinyl Record Cleaner
Advanced ultrasonic technology with customizable cleaning cycles and a large tank capacity to thoroughly remove dust, dirt, and contaminants
-
Audioengine A2 Plus
Precision-engineered 2.75-inch woofers and a 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter, featuring built-in DAC and Bluetooth connectivity for seamless integration.
-
Pro-Ject Phono Box DC Pre-Amp
Compact, high-performance phono preamplifier for both MM and MC cartridges, delivering a clean, detailed signal with minimal noise.
-
Nagaoka MP-110H Cartridge
Features a high-quality elliptical stylus that provides excellent tracking and minimizes distortion, delivering a detailed sound reproduction with an output voltage of 5.0 mV
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Claire Rousay A little death
Thrill Jockey Records
October 31, 2025 -
The Hello Crows The Hello Crows
Castle Records
December 5, 2025 -
Edenbridge Set the Dark on Fire [2xLP]
Steamhammer
January 16, 2026 -
Spite New World Killer (Black Marble)
Rise Records
November 21, 2025 -
Conjurer Unself (Petrol / Black Smoke)
Nuclear Blast
November 7, 2025 -
Ata Kak Batakari (Green)
Awesome Tapes From
November 7, 2025 -
Dark Tranquillity Live Damage
The Circle Music
November 7, 2025 -
The Mary Onettes SWORN (Black & White Splatter)
Welfare Sounds & Records
November 14, 2025 -
Bros. Landreth Dog Ear (Red)
Birthday Cake Media
November 14, 2025 -
Steve Gunn Daylight Daylight
No Quarter
November 7, 2025 -
SML How You Been
International Anthem
November 7, 2025 -
Black Crowes Amorica. [2xLP]
American Recordings
November 14, 2025 -
Equilibrium Equinox (Clear / Brown Marbled)
Nuclear Blast
November 28, 2025 -
False Reality FADED INTENTIONS (Opaque White)
Hassle Records
November 14, 2025