South African R&B has no shortage of artists willing to sing about love, heartbreak and longing. What separates Ben September from many of his contemporaries is his ability to make those emotions feel lived-in rather than performative. Across his new EP, 7 Girls, the Vaal-born singer-songwriter delivers his most refined and emotionally layered body of work to date, trading grand declarations for intimate observations that feel strikingly human.
Listeners who have followed his journey from Loose Ends and WAVES: Vol. 1 will recognise the tenderness that has become a hallmark of his songwriting. However, 7 Girls feels less concerned with fitting neatly into contemporary R&B conventions and more interested in exploring emotional contradictions. Sonically, the project moves between Afro-R&B, neo-soul and subtle Bossa Nova influences, creating a warm and immersive listening experience that rewards repeated listens.
The EP opens with “ANXIETY”, a vulnerable introduction that immediately establishes the project’s emotional core. Against understated production, Ben grapples with the fear of losing someone he loves. The track captures the irrational spirals that often accompany deep attachment, setting the tone for an EP that is as much about internal conflict as it is about romance itself.
“DESIRE” follows with a smoother and more confident energy. Here, Ben steps into the role of a persuasive romantic, attempting to convince a potential partner that she deserves better than her current situation. While the premise is familiar, his delivery elevates the track beyond cliché. The melodies glide effortlessly over the production, creating one of the EP’s most immediately accessible moments.
The brief but effective “LALA” acts as a reflective pause within the project. With its melancholic atmosphere and interlude-like structure, the song feels like the aftermath of a relationship that ended before either party was ready to let go. Rather than chasing dramatic heartbreak, Ben leans into emotional fatigue, allowing silence and restraint to do much of the heavy lifting.
One of the EP’s most refreshing moments arrives with “JAJA VIBES” featuring FlowaBoii. The Afro-fusion influences inject new energy into the project while allowing Ben to embrace his mother tongue with confidence. The multilingual approach broadens the record’s cultural identity and demonstrates his willingness to stretch beyond the boundaries of conventional R&B.
If there is a centrepiece to 7 Girls, it is undoubtedly “SAMBA”. The track represents a subtle but important evolution in Ben’s sound. Built around vibrant Afro-inspired rhythms and textured instrumentation, “SAMBA” explores the frustrating space between intention and perception. It is a song about wanting to love someone correctly while struggling to communicate that love effectively. The result is one of the EP’s most nuanced and emotionally rewarding moments, balancing vulnerability with rhythmic sophistication.
“ALL I HEAR IS TRUTH” strips things back once again, offering a confessional meditation on heartbreak and acceptance. It is the kind of song that highlights Ben’s greatest strength as a songwriter. He understands that emotional honesty often lands harder than lyrical complexity. Rather than over-explaining his pain, he allows listeners to fill in the blanks themselves.
The project closes with “YOU’RE SO SPOILT”, a collaboration featuring MashBeatz, Prince Kaybee and Zwayetoven. The track’s house and Amapiano influences provide a fitting contrast to the introspective moments that dominate much of the EP. While the production is bigger and more energetic, the emotional tension remains intact. The song explores the push and pull of a relationship where affection and frustration coexist, offering a fitting conclusion to a project built on emotional ambiguity.
What makes 7 Girls compelling is not its concept but its execution. The title may suggest a collection of stories about different women, but the project ultimately reveals more about Ben September than anyone else. Each song becomes a mirror reflecting his anxieties, desires, insecurities and hopes. Rather than presenting himself as someone with all the answers, he embraces uncertainty, and it is within that uncertainty that the EP finds its greatest strength.
With 7 Girls, Ben September continues to establish himself as one of the more thoughtful voices emerging from South Africa’s contemporary R&B scene. Having already shared studio space with artists like Prince Kaybee and steadily expanded his catalogue over the years, this project feels less like a breakthrough and more like a statement of intent. It is the sound of an artist growing into his identity, trusting his instincts, and discovering new ways to tell familiar stories.
Stream ‘7 Girls’ by Ben September.
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