Plain (song)

"Plain" is a song by New Zealand singer-songwriter Benee featuring British singer Lily Allen and American rapper Flo Milli. It was released through Republic Records on 27 October 2020 as the third single from her debut studio album Hey U X.

"Plain"
Single by Benee featuring Lily Allen and Flo Milli
from the album Hey U X
Released27 October 2020
GenreAlternative pop
Length3:50
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Benee singles chronology
"Snail"
(2020)		 "Plain"
(2020)		 "Kool"
(2020)
Lily Allen singles chronology
"Sweet Like Chocolate"
(2019)		 "Plain"
(2020)
Flo Milli singles chronology
"Mean"
(2020)		 "Plain"
(2020)

Background

The release of "Plain" was preceded by the singles "Night Garden" and "Snail".[1] On the motive behind the track, Benee told NME:[2]

I wanted to make it a song someone could listen to when they find out their ex is with someone new. The feeling sucks, so I wanted 'Plain' to make ya feel like you have the upper hand. Lily and Flo Milli both have such cool sass, and both their verses really elevated the track!

The song was released as a surprise release with no prior announcement on 27 October 2020 by Republic Records.

Composition and reception

Musically, "Plain" is an alternative pop song that contains "glossy, rolling, trap-heavy beats".[3] The song was described as "self-assured" with its "dreamy guitar hook" and a "thumping beat".[4] Chris DeVille of Stereogum drew comparison between the song's "foggy, blippy, chillwave-adjacent mood" and that of "Clairo with a trap beat". He noted that "the sonic soup is a great environment for Benee, even if it somewhat blurs her voice together with Allen's and therefore obscures the flex of featuring her alt-pop forebear on a song. No such trouble with Flo Milli, who adds a burst of enthusiasm to the track upon arrival."[5] Sose Fuamoli of Triple J described "Plain" as "a message to the ex, delivered with sass and dreamy sounds." She praised Allen's featured verse, describing it as "a beautifully melancholic one" and that by "coupl[ing it] with Benee's already captivating style of vocal delivery, bringing Lily into a song like this feels like a natural flex."[6] Towards the end of the track, Mike Wass of Idolator wrote "Ouch! It turns out the song is meant to be a raised middle-finger to an ex."[7]

Charts
Chart performance of "Plain"
Chart (2020) Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[8] 13

References
  1. Pappis, Konstantinos (27 October 2020). "BENEE Enlists Lily Allen and Flo Milli for New Song 'Plain'". Our Culture Mag. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  2. Lim, Eddy (27 October 2020). "BENEE shares new single 'Plain' featuring Lily Allen and Flo Milli". NME. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  3. Williams, Sophie (27 October 2020). "Benee Joins Forces With Lily Allen And Flo Milli For New Single Plain". Stereoboard. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  4. Droke, Carolyn (27 October 2020). "Benee's 'Plain' With Lily Allen And Flo Milli Is Breakup Bitterness". Uproxx. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  5. DeVille, Chris (27 October 2020). "Benee – "Plain" (Feat. Lily Allen & Flo Milli)". Stereogum. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  6. Fuamoli, Sose (28 October 2020). "First Spin: BENEE taps Lily Allen and Flo Milli for a message to the ex". triple j. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  7. Wass, Mike (27 October 2020). "BENEE Taps Lily Allen & Flo Milli For "Plain"". Idolator. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  8. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 9 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
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