Snail (song)
| "Snail" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Benee | ||||
| from the album Hey U X | ||||
| Released | 10 August 2020 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:00 | |||
| Label | Republic | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Joshua Fountain | |||
| Benee singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Snail" is a song by New Zealand singer-songwriter Benee, released through Republic Records on 10 August 2020 as the second single from her debut studio album Hey U X (2020). Developed amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the song was influenced by Benee's newfound interest in snails during the COVID-19 lockdown in New Zealand.[1][2] "Snail" impacted Australian contemporary hit radio on 14 August 2020.[3][4]
Critical reception[edit]
"Snail" received critical acclaim. Lars Brandle of Billboard described "Snail" as "a cute, upbeat pop number",[1] while James Rettig of Stereogum described it as "bright", "bouncy" and "optimistic".[5] Michael Craag, writing for The Observer, called the track a "bouncy electro-pop opus".[6] Tyler Jenke of Rolling Stone agreed that it was "upbeat" and "bouncy" and noted that as Benee "deliver[s] a feel-good chorus with enigmatic lyrics, the track feels almost made for the live stage, with its quirky delivery and enchanting composition." Jenke also praised the record and described it as one of her "finest songs to date".[7] Mike Wass of Idolator described "Snail" as a "wonderfully demented pop song" and an "offbeat bop".[8] Derrick Rossignol of Uproxx described it as a "thumping pop tune" which "is quite literally about snails, as [Benee] adopts a rhythmic and infectious cadence to sing on the chorus".[9] Wren Graves of Consequence of Sound wrote that the song's hook "is as compact and memorable as a pom-squad cheer," while humorously wishing readers "good luck getting it out of your head."[10]
Music video[edit]
The accompanying music video was released on 8 October 2020 following prior announcement from Benee via social media.[11] It was directed by Anita Fontaine and features what the singer herself described as "a weird fantasy story involving snails!"[12]
Live performances[edit]
Benee performed the song in a treehouse at her own home in Auckland as part of Vevo's "DSCVR at Home" video series amid the COVID-19 lockdown.[13]
Charts[edit]
| Chart (2020) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[14] | 6 |
| New Zealand Artist Singles (RMNZ)[15] | 18 |
References[edit]
- ^ a b Brandle, Lars (11 August 2020). "Benee Shares Her 'Lockdown' Song 'Snail': Stream It Now". Billboard. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
- ^ Barton, Monika (11 August 2020). "Benee's new song 'Snail' written while still 'loopy from lockdown'". Newshub. OCLC 1144485051. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
- ^ "Singles to Radio". The Music Network. Archived from the original on 23 August 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- ^ "BENEE "Snail" | (Radio Date: 28/08/2020)".
- ^ Rettig, James (10 August 2020). "Benee – "Snail"". Stereogum. OCLC 1142733705. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
- ^ Cragg, Michael (15 November 2020). "Benee: Hey U X review – endearingly careworn". The Observer. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ Jenke, Tyler (10 August 2020). "BENEE Shares Upbeat New "Lockdown Song", 'Snail'". Rolling Stone. ISSN 0035-791X. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
- ^ Wass, Mike (10 August 2020). "BENEE Is Back With Weird & Wonderful "Snail"". Idolator. OCLC 839848612. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- ^ Rossignol, Derrick (10 August 2020). "Benee Find Parallels Between Herself And A 'Snail' On Her New Single". Uproxx. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- ^ Graves, Wren (10 August 2020). "Pop sensation Benee shares new song "Snail": Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- ^ "BENEE (@beneemusic) posted on Instagram • Oct 7, 2020 at 11:11am UTC". Instagram. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
- ^ Aniftos, Rania (8 October 2020). "Benee Goes on a Magical, Colorful Trip for New 'Snail' Video". Billboard. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
- ^ Graves, Shahlin (22 September 2020). "Watch Benee perform 'Snail' live in a treehouse". Coup De Main Magazine. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
- ^ "Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 22 August 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
- ^ "NZ Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 22 August 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2020.