Toronto R&B singer Faiza is turning up the thermostat with her steamy new single, “Benchmark”. Produced by birthday boy, it wastes no time in re-introducing Faiza as a graceful force. Built on a shadowy base of ambient R&B acoustics and tinged with sprinkles of cabasa, it sets the perfect stage for Faiza’s silky soprano to soak into our souls.
An opulent display of Black love, the music video for “Benchmark” is a visual serenade that gently washes over us like a fresh mist. From the brown satin that caresses Faiza’s skin, to the rays of natural light that glisten in her eyes, you can tell detail was invested in the Dan Lemoyne-directed visual. An ode to finding balance in a relationship, the video shows Faiza and her lover walking in synchronicity every step of the way.
In both the track and video, it’s evident that Faiza takes her time with her craft. An elusive voice who’s sightings are few and far between, when you do catch a glimpse of those angelic vocals, it’s always worth it. Like a mixologist making the perfect cocktail, Faiza delicately combines designful poetics with honey-drenched vocals to take her listeners’ sonic experience to another level. Indeed, her and birthday boy make the perfect fusion. No run-of-the-mill release, “Benchmark” is a purposeful composition that leads the way for an upcoming collaborative project between the two.
