Sometimes you know that one, simple question could tear down everything holding you together. You can hide your emotions temporarily, but they will find their way out of you. "How i'm feeling," the latest single from Ben Dolic, harnesses colorful folk pop to express this concept precisely. The acoustic guitar is positioned so close in the mix, its as though the tender fingerpicking is whispering secrets. Atmospheric synth pads and reverb-soaked piano add to the naturalistic feel of the sound. As the second chorus picks up steam with steady drums and gradual crescendo, his vulnerable lyricism feels empowered and hopeful. He doesn't offer a solution, but the vivid expression feels like enough conclusion. The song is the walls coming down to reveal the feelings Dolic feared to express.
The titular phrase of "how i'm feeling" is subverted in the chorus, as Dolic expresses his discomfort with emotional disclosure. "Talk about all that's happened lately, just don't ask me how I'm feeling," he wilts. It's easier to cover up his emotions in a broader context, but the facade might crumble if conversation narrows to a more personal degree. Hiding what he was going through may have been easy at the start, but it gets exhausting "trying to be brave, like every day." "How i'm feeling" is the fear that one question might tear down all the emotional armor you've put up. It's a Jenga tower at its absolute limit: one microscopic twitch might send it into collapse. But it's Dolic's sky-scraping belt in the song's final minute that exorcizes these internalizations, making what was once locked deep inside burst out like fireworks. It lands somewhere between hope and despair, taking the first step towards emotional acceptance.
Slovenian singer/songwriter, Ben Dolic became a breakout success with the release of his viral single "Violent Thing." Accumulating over 15 million streams worldwide, the major hit brought Dolic to the attention of the industry legends behind Dua Lipa, Rihanna, and Trevor Daniel. The 26-year-old artist has performed with the likes of Zara Larsson, Rita Ora, and Olly Murs. His experience as a self-taught pianist and guitarist allows for Dolic to collaborate on all facets of his artistry. Dolic performed "how i'm feeling" at his festival debut on July 15th. He remarks on the release, stating that Jeremy Zucker and Dominic Fike provided significant influences to the song.
Written By Andy Mockbee
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