Emil Benjamin Releases New Single Saint Valentine
New York City musician Emil Benjamin drops his latest track under his Never the Wiser alias.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Ballads/Romantic
Musician Emil Benjamin has officially released his latest single, Saint Valentine, under his musical moniker Never the Wiser. The track features a blend of nylon-string guitar arrangements and complex string instrumentals.
Why it matters
The release continues the artistic evolution of the New York City-based songwriter, building upon the sound established in his earlier 2026 singles. The project highlights a collaborative approach to modern ballad production.
Saint Valentine joins a series of releases from 2026, following the single Ravenswood launched in January and Better Than Ever in March. The song relies on a nylon-string guitar progression and includes recorded performances on violin, viola, cello, and double bass.
The players
Emil Benjamin
A New York City-based songwriter who performs and records under the musical alias Never the Wiser.
Michael Hunter
A musician based in Brooklyn who contributed violin, viola, and cello parts to the track.
Mathais Højgaard Jensen
A musician who provided the double bass performance for the latest single.
The details
The song utilizes a nylon-string guitar to articulate a progression of straight-eights, enacting a mood shift through changing guitar articulation. It also incorporates harmony vocals alongside contributions from Michael Hunter and Mathais Højgaard Jensen.
Timeline
January 26, 2026: Ravenswood was released.
March 20, 2026: Better Than Ever was released.
October 30, 2026: Saint Valentine was released.
Industry Dynamics
The use of the nylon-string guitar in Saint Valentine reflects a broader trend of acoustic-driven production in modern balladry. This shift underscores how contemporary artists are moving away from heavy electronic layering toward organic, texture-focused arrangements.
Listeners can access the new single through major streaming platforms as of its October release date. The track adds to the ongoing 2026 release cycle from Never the Wiser, providing fans with an updated catalog of recent work.
The takeaway
Emil Benjamin continues to refine his artistic identity by layering traditional string instrumentation with contemporary guitar techniques. This approach offers a fresh take on modern romantic balladry for listeners seeking organic musical textures.
Further reading
Explore the evolving sounds of the genre at Ballads/Romantic.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Glide Magazine.
