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Benjamin Dean Wilson searches for meaning in an illogical world with Play Pretend

With his first two albums of literate, progressive folk songs, Benjamin Dean Wilson has established a reputation as a songwriter with a gift for satirizing the modern world without losing empathy for his subjects. Now, with his new album Play Pretend, he is back with a new set of stories.

The eight songs on Play Pretend make up a concept record in which the author examines the absurdities that make up the modern world: random acts of violence, pop culture obsessions, and the ever-changing nature of human relationships.

In a world where style is valued over substance, Wilson’s songs offer an eye-opening perspective that is honest and sharp without becoming preachy and unlistenable. His previous work has been critically praised, including a four-and-a-half-star review in Rolling Stone Germany. His newest record is sure to garner more attention from critics and fans alike.

Benjamin Dean Wilson is a singer/songwriter from Tulsa, OK. With his mixture of sardonic humour and pop sensibilities, Wilson has drawn comparisons to Ray Davies and Randy Newman, yet his songs are firmly at home in the 21st century, finding meaning in the absurdity of the modern world.

Benjamin started off as a part time songwriter, devoting most of his energy to filmmaking in his hometown of Tulsa. While working on commercials, and short films of his own, he found his cinematic experience translated well to music, and began devoting more time to songwriting. The result was his debut album, “Small Talk,” which was a minor hit, earning a four-and-a-half-star review from Rolling Stone Germany. Wilson supported the album with a tour of Germany while working on the songs that would become his follow up LP, entitled “The Smartest Person In The Room” in 2018. It was well received by fans and critics alike, with Alternativa Radical calling it “One of the most interesting albums on the independent plane in years.”

On his latest record, Wilson’s turns his quirky narrative towards weighty topics of family relationships, random acts of violence and pop culture addiction. Entitled Play Pretend, it is a delightfully witty take on the minutia of life and is sure to leave every story-driven heart pounding.

All songs by Benjamin Dean Wilson