Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Pictures (GZUS Remix)

He's the folk bloke with a difference - and right now, the supremely talented Benjamin Francis Leftwich is courting some serious success. With a host of rapturous reviews for his debut album Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm and his UK tour set to kick off in February, the singer-songwriter is giving one of the album highlights, Pictures, a full single release.

The original version of the track is a lush, sumptuous number - contrasting gorgeous acoustic melodies with beautifully surreal imagery: 'if you crash a car into your best friend's house'. It's the kind of stuff TV networks lap up to soundtrack the emotional bits at the ends of their TV shows.

The dub-step GZUS remix of the track is something a gem too - those quaking in their boots at the thought of Benjamin's husky tones backed with relentless WUB, WUB needn't worry, this is a far mellower, more clinical affair - a real chill-out experience if ever there was one.

Pictures is released on the 22nd February.

Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Pictures (GZUS Remix) by Dirty Hit

Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Pictures

When it comes to tuneful acoustic dities, Benhamin Francis Leftwich is your go-to dude. New single Pictures is every bit as suffused with hazy, folk-tinged melodies as the rest of his album - in releasing it, Leftwich returns to his beginnings.

Originally released as part of a four track EP back in March this year, Pictures - a firm fan favourite - is here given a new lease of life, another opportunity to share its beautiful merits with the public at large. In its haunting etherealness, Leftwich presents a moving retrospective of life.

Pictures is released on the 20th February.

You can also catch Benjamin at the following tour dates next year:

20 - The Globe - Cardiff
21 - Komedia - Bath
22 - Shepherd’s Bush Empire - London
23 - Academy 2 - Manchester
24 - ABC2 - Glasgow

Benjamin Francis Leftwich announces new February tour dates

If you haven't already got tickets to see skilled troubadour and general all-round likeable singer-songwriter type Benjamin Francis Leftwich live, here's the perfect opportunity - he's just announced added a load of new dates to his upcoming February tour.

Catch Benjamin at one of the following new dates:

20th - The Globe - Cardiff
21th - Komedia - Bath
22nd - Shepherd’s Bush Empire - London
23rd - Academy 2 - Manchester
24th - ABC2 - Glasgow

Last week, Benjamin played an exclusive show in conjunction with Spotify and the Guardian - you can watch the footage for his brilliant track Atlas Hands here.

Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Shine

When it comes to a glorious one-two of folky campfire tunes to warm the soul, you don't get much better than Benjamin Francis Leftwich and his singles Shine and Atlas Hands.

Shine bases its foundations on spidery, uber-precise guitar playing; it's a real musicians song yet also manages to boast the most radio-friendly of choruses. It feels airy and fresh, like that unbeatable feeling of an ice cold drink on a sweltering summer's day (perfect for this week then!)

Leftwich's tracks are short, both Shine and Atlas Hands clock in at under three minutes, but what this allows is a more intense connection with the listener - that esteemed quality of making it seem like Leftwich is singing to you, and only you.

There's a gorgeous bit of personal poetry going in Atlas Hands,  'I will remember your face, because I'm still in love with that place. When the stars are the only things we share, you'd be there'.

Now, if that doesn't win someone round romantically, I don't know what will. Atlas Hands feels beautiful tender and heartfelt - so often singer-songwriters go big on the bluster and big, dumb cliches to hammer their message home, Leftwich just leans back and lets his honest feelings do the talking.

Shine is released on the 7th November.

Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Shine by Dirty Hit