Ben Rankin is a singer-songwriter from Canberra, Australia, blending rock and metal influences with pop inspirations from artists like Ed Sheeran and Lewis Capaldi. His 2024 album “Welcome To My House” spans high-energy metal tracks to acoustic ballads, while his upcoming self-produced album In Memoriam highlights a more aggressive sound. The lead single, “Save Your Tears,” explores themes of breaking free from manipulation and societal pressures. His lyrics often tackle anxiety, depression, and mental health, occasionally touching on love. Fans of bands like Asking Alexandria, Avenged Sevenfold, and EDEN will find elements to enjoy. His latest single, “Rewind,” featuring Machine on a Break, showcases innovative songwriting, guest vocals, and layered synths, reflecting Ben’s commitment to evolving his sound.
Ben Rankin’s latest single, “Rewind,” released on January 9, 2026, is a striking exploration of reconciliation, closure, and personal growth. From the very first note, the song immerses the listener in a contemplative atmosphere, reflecting the emotional gravity of revisiting past wounds. Lyrically, “Rewind” is both direct and poetic, delving into the complexity of letting someone back into your life while maintaining boundaries. Lines such as “You want to rewind, are you losing your mind?” capture the tension between nostalgia and self-preservation, while the narrative consistently balances vulnerability with introspection. Rankin’s approach to mental and emotional honesty resonates profoundly, giving the track a universal relatability for listeners navigating similar experiences. The song’s themes of emotional confrontation, reflection, and self-awareness are reinforced through a nuanced vocal performance, making the track as much a storytelling experience as it is a musical one. “Rewind” is also the second single from Ben Rankin’s upcoming fifth studio album, In Memoriam, which will be released on February 27, giving fans an early glimpse into the evolving sound and emotional depth of the full project.
Vocally, “Rewind” thrives on the interplay between Ben Rankin and collaborator Machine on a Break, whose contrasting tones create a layered emotional landscape. Rankin’s warm, introspective timbre dominates the verses, conveying the raw vulnerability of confronting past pain with subtle yet compelling restraint. Machine on a Break brings urgency and texture, heightening the tension during choruses and bridges without overpowering the narrative. Their harmonies are sparse but deliberate, complementing the story rather than distracting from it, while subtle effects like reverb and delay enhance the ethereal quality of the vocals. This interplay mirrors the song’s thematic push-and-pull, almost like an internal dialogue externalized, and ensures that the listener feels the intimate struggle between holding on and letting go. The vocal delivery is as emotionally intelligent as it is technically polished, making “Rewind” a track that resonates deeply on both a personal and sonic level.
Musically, “Rewind” demonstrates Ben Rankin’s meticulous attention to production, blending alternative rock, emo, and electronic-infused alt-metal into a cohesive, emotionally charged soundscape. Recorded in his home studio, the track exudes authenticity while allowing experimental touches such as synth arpeggios, glitch textures, and layered ambient pads. Guitar motifs emerge intermittently, adding tactile warmth and melodic tension that perfectly complements the vocals. Dynamic contrasts, quiet reflective passages followed by swells of intensity, mirror the emotional narrative of revisiting past relationships, creating a cinematic listening experience. The mix is precise: each element occupies its own space, from subtle percussive accents to intricate synth layers contributed by Machine on a Break. This careful arrangement elevates the track beyond a simple emotional confession, showcasing Rankin’s skill in marrying narrative depth with sonic sophistication.
Rewind masterfully blends introspective lyrics, emotional vocals, and layered production into a cathartic musical journey.
“Rewind” is a compelling testament to Ben Rankin’s evolution as an artist and a must-listen for fans of introspective, genre-blending music. It is a track that balances emotional honesty with musical innovation, creating a soundscape that is immersive, relatable, and technically impressive. The song’s combination of reflective lyrics, intricate vocal interplay, and layered instrumentation makes it a standout example of modern alternative rock with emotional gravitas. For anyone seeking a track that is both cathartic and sonically rich, “Rewind” offers an unforgettable experience, a poignant invitation to confront the past while embracing artistic and personal growth. This single is more than a song; it’s an intimate journey you’ll want to revisit time and time again, and as the second single from In Memoriam, it sets the tone for what promises to be one of Ben Rankin’s most compelling albums yet.
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