After months of anticipation, Mabel releases with “Benz,” a trap-infused R&B track featuring Clavish.
Turn up the base. After months of teasing on social media, Mabel is back with a new single, “Benz,” featuring U.K. rapper Clavish. The trap-infused, R&B-based track is a bold reminder of why she remains one of the U.K.’s brightest young pop stars.
Since her breakout in 2017 with “Finders Keepers,” Mabel has carved a space of her own in British pop, blending her smooth vocals and rhythm with storytelling. “Benz” continues her legacy while expanding her boundaries.
Mabel’s lyrics are vulnerable and empowered, layered over the trap beat courtesy of producer Arthur Bean (Central Cee). She speaks for a younger generation by voicing the struggles of modern romance, focusing on the relationship between love and value. “Love me like you love your Benz,” she sings, insisting her lover be devoted to her like they are their material items. She presents a clever metaphor that is painfully relatable in an era where affection often takes a back seat to status.
Since her 2019 platinum debut album, High Expectations, the singer has proven her ability to make emotion danceable. Clavish’s verse adds depth and compliments the track’s club-worthiness. The chemistry between the two artists also shines in the single’s visualizer, which shows them cruising through London in a G-Wagon and encapsulates the song’s luxurious tone.
The song follows “All Over You” featuring King Promise, as well as a chain of critically acclaimed signals last year. Among these tracks, “Benz” feels like Mabel flaunting her R&B roots. This release signifies a return to her soulful early sounds with an added sense of confidence that the artist knows where she’s headed.
With over 4.5 billion streams, a BRIT Award for Best Female Solo Artist, and two U.K. top three albums under her belt, Mabel doesn’t need to prove anything. “Benz” isn’t about proving, though. It’s about boldly establishing her place as a U.K. R&B princess, not just a rising star.
“Benz” is Mabel in the driver’s seat, cruising through a new era of coolness. If this track and her plans to headline the NOTION Stage at SXSW London next month are any indication, the road ahead looks exciting.
All imagery courtesy of High Rise Pr.
