Ur an Angel I'm Just Particles
| Ur an Angel I'm Just Particles | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 7 November 2025 | |||
| Recorded | 2022–2025 | |||
| Length | 34:51 | |||
| Label | Republic | |||
| Producers |
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| Benee chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Ur an Angel I'm Just Particles | ||||
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Ur an Angel I'm Just Particles is the second studio album by New Zealand singer-songwriter Benee. It was released on 7 November 2025 via Republic Records, as her first studio album in five years, following Hey U X (2020), and her first project overall in overall in over three years, following the extended play Lychee (2022). The album was supported by five singles: "Sad Boiii", "Animal", "Off the Rails", "Cinnamon" and "Underwater".
Background and recording
Benee announced her second studio album, Ur An Angel I'm Just Particles, set for release on 7 November 2025 through Republic Records.[1] It was written and recorded over a three-year period,[2] during which she continued to release new music and tour with artists including Tate McRae, Olivia Rodrigo, Conan Gray and Wallows.[3] Described by Benee as a clear and personal story, the album reflects her move to Los Angeles and the challenges of navigating a new environment.[2] Expanding on this, she explained that she wanted listeners "to enter another world", calling the album her most "intentional" and "cohesive" work to date. She further described it as a narrative project that follows "themes of obsession, breakdown, chaos and ascent — in that order", emphasizing "that's the story, and those are the changes", adding that her early years in Los Angeles left her "lost and confused and overwhelmed". A book by Stephen Hawking became a turning point, as it helped her to shift perspective and focus on what felt "important and helpful in this climate", which ultimately inspired her to craft a "fantastical world" for listeners to escape into.[4]
Release and promotion
Singles
The album's lead single, "Sad Boiii", was released in 2024, marking Benee's return after a brief hiatus. It was noted for its summer-inspired production and introspective lyrics.[5] The second single, "Animal", was released on 14 November alongside a music video directed by Keith Herron and filmed in Sydney. Written during a tour, the song was inspired by feelings of existential dread and the perspective of viewing the world from an airplane.[6] "Off the Rails", co-written by Luka Kloser and Elvira Anderfjärd,[7] was released as the third single of the album, on 20 June 2025.[8] "Cinnamon" was released on 27 August as the fourth single from the album.[2] Its music video was directed by Keith Herron.[9] On October 3, "Underwater" was released as the fifth and final single.[10][11][12]
Tour
Benee announced a release party for the album on 2 October 2025, which happened on November 7 in Los Angeles at the Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever.[13] On 7 October, she revealed that she would be headlining three shows in Australia as well as in Laneway Festival sideshows.[14] The singer also announced a North American tour, the Particles Tour, on 10 November, visiting the United States and Canada throughout 23 dates beginning on 27 February 2026 and concluding on 3 April.[15]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Clash | 7/10[16] |
| Dork | 3/5[17] |
Upon release, reviewers discussed the album in the context of Benee's station as a "wonderful and weird" artist in the pop music scene; Felicity Newton of Dork wrote that the artist remained "one of pop's most relatable oddballs".[16][17] Several critics acclaimed the artist's confidence and sharpened intentions,.[18][17] with Zahra Hanif from Clash citing "more conviction" in the exploration of themes related to love and relationships, helped by its experimental and eclectic production.[16] Newton called the album "tidy, confident, [and] occasionally too polite for its own good". Newton also noted while the record lacks a "Supalonely"-level breakout moment, Benee's ability to blend "melancholy with mischief" remains intact.[17]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Demons" |
|
| 2:38 |
| 2. | "Cinnamon" |
| Raines | 2:42 |
| 3. | "Vegas" |
|
| 2:57 |
| 4. | "Sad Boiii" |
|
| 2:46 |
| 5. | "Prey4U" |
|
| 3:05 |
| 6. | "Chainmail" |
| 2:46 | |
| 7. | "Doomsday" |
|
| 2:32 |
| 8. | "Underwater" |
|
| 3:34 |
| 9. | "Off the Rails" |
|
| 1:47 |
| 10. | "Animal" |
| Wise | 2:48 |
| 11. | "Princess" |
| 2:49 | |
| 12. | "Heaven" |
| 4:27 | |
| Total length: | 34:51 | |||
Notes
Personnel
Credits were adapted from Tidal.[20]
Musicians
- Benee – vocals
- Ryan Raines – drums (tracks 1, 2, 7); bass, guitar, keyboards (2, 7); percussion (7)
- Mike Wise – keyboards (1, 5, 7, 8, 10); bass, guitar, percussion (1, 5, 8, 10); drums (1, 5, 8), programming (8), drum programming (10), synthesizer (10)
- Sora Lopez – strings (2)
- John Hill – bass, drums, guitar, programming (3)
- Matt Cohn – guitar, keyboards, programming, synthesizer (3, 8); bass, drums, percussion (8)
- Leroy Clampitt – drum programming, guitar, piano (4); background vocals (6, 11); drums, keyboards (6); bass (11)
- Spencer Zahn – bass (4, 12); piano, synthesizer (4); keyboards (12)
- Mark Rudin – horn arrangement (4)
- Austin Corona – bass, drums, guitar, keyboards, percussion, programming (5)
- Wyatt Bernard – bass, drums, guitar, keyboards, percussion, programming (5)
- Sylvester "Sly" Sivertsen – background vocals, drums, keyboards (6, 11)
- Sam Preston – bass, guitar (6)
- Leland – background vocals (6)
- Felix Holton – drum programming (7, 9), percussion (7)
- Jackson LaFrantz – guitar (7)
- Elvira Anderfjärd – background vocals, bass, drums, keyboards, percussion, programming (9)
- Luka Kloser – background vocals, bass, drums, keyboards, percussion, programming (9)
- Tom Verberne – guitar (9)
- Josh Fountain – guitar (12)
- Timon Martin – guitar (12)
Technical
- Mike Wise – engineering (1, 5, 10)
- Ryan Raines – engineering (2, 7)
- Drew Bunge – engineering (3)
- Jon Yeston – engineering (3)
- Leroy Clampitt – engineering (4, 6, 11)
- Mark Rudin – engineering (4)
- Austin Corona – engineering (5)
- Wyatt Bernard – engineering (5)
- Sylvester "Sly" Sivertsen – engineering (6, 11)
- Josh Fountain – engineering (7)
- Matt Cohn – engineering (8)
- Elvira Anderfjärd – engineering (9)
- Luka Kloser – engineering (9)
- Lars Stalfors – mixing (1–3, 5–12)
- Mitch McCarthy – mixing (4)
- Hamish Patrick – mixing assistance (1–3, 5–8, 10–12)
- Joe LaPorta – mastering
Charts
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[21] | 95 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[22] | 24 |
References
- ↑ Stickler, Jon (29 August 2025). "Benee Announces Sophomore Album Ur An Angel I'm Just Particles With New Single Cinnamon". Stereoboard. Archived from the original on 29 August 2025. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- 1 2 3 Taylor, Sam (28 August 2025). "Benee has confirmed her second album Ur an Angel I'm Just Particles with new single 'Cinnamon'". Dork. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ↑ Cuevas, Gavy (1 September 2025). "Benee set to release sophomore album, Ur an Angel I'm Just Particles". Melodic Magazine. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ↑ Campbell, Erica (13 November 2025). "Benee Knows Good Things Take Time". Paper. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ↑ Medsen, Joshua (9 September 2024). "Benee drops island-inspired single, "Sad Boiii"". Melodic Magazine. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ↑ "Benee has released 'Animal', a song inspired by feeling extreme existential dread". Dork. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ↑ Downs, Sarah (24 June 2025). "Song You Need to Know: Benee, 'Off the Rails'". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ↑ Newton, Felicity (20 June 2025). "Benee has released her ragey new anthem 'Off the Rails'". Dork. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ↑ Deville, Chris (27 August 2025). "Benee Announces New Album Ur an Angel I'm Just Particles: Hear "Cinnamon"". Stereogum. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ↑ Persad, Max (2 October 2025). "New Music Friday: Taylor Swift, Oasis, Fred Again and more". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ↑ Taylor, Sam (3 October 2025). "Benee has unveiled her new single 'Underwater'". Dork. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ↑ Armstrong, Sam (6 October 2025). "Benee Goes 'Underwater' On New Song". uDiscover Music. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ↑ Taylor, Sam (3 October 2025). "Benee has unveiled her new single 'Underwater'". Dork. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
- ↑ McNamara, Lauren (7 October 2025). "Alex G, Benee, Wet Leg and More Confirm Laneway 2026 Sideshows". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
- ↑ Areliz, Oscar (11 November 2025). "Benee Embarking on North American Tour to Promote Sophomore Album". Pollstar News. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- 1 2 3 Hanif, Zahra (12 November 2025). "Benee - Ur an Angel I'm Just Particles". Clash. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 Newton, Felicity (29 September 2024). "Album & EP Reviews - Benee – Ur an Angel I'm Just Particles". Dork. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ↑ "The 50 Best New Zealand Albums of 2025". Rolling Stone Australia. 5 December 2025. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ↑ Ur an Angel I'm Just Particles (booklet). Benee. Republic Records. 2025.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ↑ "Benee / Ur an Angel I'm Just Particles". Tidal. Credits. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ↑ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 17 November 2025". The ARIA Report. No. 1863. Australian Recording Industry Association. 17 November 2025. p. 6.
- ↑ "Official Top 40 Albums". Recorded Music NZ. 14 November 2025. Retrieved 14 November 2025.


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