INDIE SPOT
Benjamin Elgar Unveils His Journey of Healing in New Single “Better Tho”
Benjamin Elgar may be a fresh face in the pop world, but his latest release, Better Tho, feels like the work of a seasoned artist, blending raw emotion with slick production. With just a few singles under his belt, Elgar is already showing his ability to merge music, dance, and storytelling into an immersive artistic experience.
Coming from a family deeply rooted in diverse musical influences, Elgar’s sound is a blend of genres that’s instantly recognizable but uniquely his own. “My mom passed down her love for 80s pop, while my dad was all about R&B, soul, and jazz. My sister? She was heavy into rap,” he explains, laughing as he recounts the eclectic soundtrack of his youth. It’s no surprise then, that Better Tho draws from these many influences—pop, R&B, and dance—all seamlessly intertwined in this emotionally charged anthem.
Elgar’s passion for dance has always been front and center in his artistry. “Music and dance have been a core part of who I am for as long as I can remember,” he says. It’s no wonder the visual side of his art plays such a crucial role in his work. Having spent hours glued to MTV in his childhood, he draws from the visual mastery of the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s to create music videos that don’t just complement the music—they’re an essential part of the storytelling.
In Better Tho, Elgar opens up about the deeply personal process of healing after hardship. “The song is about bouncing back, finding that strength you didn’t know you had,” he says, reflecting on the track’s emotional weight. The song’s lush production, handled by Elgar himself along with The Last Artful, Dodgr, and John Ho, anchors a story many listeners will relate to. From the first notes, there’s a sense of catharsis, building up to a chorus that soars with a mix of pop and R&B elements, underscoring the track’s theme of empowerment.
One of the standout aspects of Elgar’s work is how seamlessly he blends his love for visuals into the music. The music video for Better Tho is as integral to the experience as the song itself. Set against a stormy backdrop, Elgar’s choreography mirrors the emotional turmoil of the track, with rain symbolizing the cleansing process of letting go and moving forward, emphasizing the pivotal role dance plays in his storytelling.
His music video not only showcases his dance prowess but also his meticulous attention to detail. “We put the whole thing together in just one week. It was crazy, but so worth it,” he says, reflecting on the whirlwind production. Choreographed by his long-time collaborator Cameron Lee, the video captures both the intensity and tenderness of the track, painting a vivid picture of the complex emotions at play.
Since making his debut earlier this year, Elgar has worked with some of the best in the industry, including Manny Marroquin and Dave Kutch, who mixed and mastered Better Tho. But despite these big names, it’s the personal nature of his work that makes it stand out. “I pull from my own experiences—the highs, the lows—and channel all of that into my sound,” he says. And with Better Tho, he’s managed to create something both intensely personal and universally resonant.
As Elgar prepares to release his debut album, it’s clear that he’s more than just a pop newcomer. He’s an artist with a clear vision, blending music, dance, and visuals into a cohesive, emotional experience. Better Tho is just the beginning, and if this single is any indication, Benjamin Elgar’s star is only going to rise from here.