Mutual Benefit

Mutual Benefit, the project of singer/multi-instrumentalist Jordan Lee, blends folk, psychedelic pop, and experimental recording techniques to create fragile, hopeful songs reminiscent of artists like Sufjan Stevens, the Microphones, and the Antlers. Lee's musical journey began in Columbus, Ohio, drawing inspiration from Elliott Smith, before delving into a more experimental direction in Texas, incorporating field recordings and found sounds. Mutual Benefit's discography includes releases like Love's Crushing Diamond (2013), Skip a Sinking Stone (2016), and Thunder Follows the Light (2018), all reflecting Lee's tranquil chamber pop style.

After a period of silence, Mutual Benefit returned in 2023 with the wistful Growing at the Edges. The album, released on Transgressive, featured collaborations with co-producer Gabriel Birnbaum and string arrangements by Concetta Abate, showcasing a delicate blend of country- and jazz-inflected chamber folk. Lee's musical evolution, from the D.I.Y. ethos of his early releases to the critical success of Love's Crushing Diamond and subsequent albums, demonstrates his ability to create introspective and enchanting music that resonates with listeners.