Mixtape #2

Mixtape #2 is a 2025 release from Ben Cooper, performing as Radical Face, continuing his 'Mixtape' series which serves as a more experimental and fluid counterpart to his thematic 'Family Tree' trilogy. While his earlier work focused heavily on genealogical storytelling, this album leans into celestial metaphors and internal psychological landscapes, as evidenced by tracks like 'Ursa Major' and 'Dreamcatcher.' The production remains true to Cooper's 'bedroom' ethos, characterized by extreme track counts and a DIY approach to percussion using household objects. Critically, the album represents a refinement of his chamber-folk sound, moving away from the indie-rock leanings of his early career toward a more atmospheric, slowcore-adjacent aesthetic. The inclusion of longer-form tracks like the seven-minute 'Ursa Minor' suggests a growing interest in ambient structures and progressive folk arrangements, marking this as a more patient and mature entry in his discography.