ELPENTHE AKA: Elliott Beenk releases his new EP, ELPENTHE I, a five track collection of electronic and R&B-inspired bedroom-pop grounded in a love of connection mixed by Kevin Smith (Harry Styles, Phoebe Bridgers, Frank Ocean) and mastered by engineer Stuart Hawkes (Lorde, Charli XCX, Amy Winehouse). Today, the multi-artist has shared the album highlight “Forbidden.”

From ELPENTHE: “Josh Dean and I have known each other for years and have toured across the country together opening for Janelle Monae and Lucky Daye. ‘Forbidden’ feels special because while we’ve played a ton of shows, it’s the first time we’ve released a song together.”

From Half Wolf who contributed lyrics to the song: “God commands humankind not to eat from the tree of knowledge. Yet, Adam eats the damn apple. Catholic symbolism is something I use in my writing because it’s full of imagery, metaphor and it’s fun to be blasphemous. You don’t have to be religious to know that when someone is off limits, you’re messing with forbidden fruit. Although this song alludes to a ripe relationship ready for the taking, Josh Dean remains patient while daydreaming. The time waiting for the right person is often as sweet as the apple of your eye.”

“Forbidden”

Apple on the tree you’re dangling in front of me
Adam to your Eve girl, can a boy just dream?

I know the sign, the look in your eye forbidden fruit (forbidden fruit, my forbidden fruit)
Suddenly I found the time put my love on the line (forbidden fruit, my forbidden fruit)

Patient as can be cause I know that you’re ripe for me
Like honey to a bee your flower tastes so sweet

I know the sign, the look in your eye forbidden fruit (forbidden fruit, my forbidden fruit)
Suddenly I found the time put my love on the line (forbidden fruit, my forbidden fruit)

Can a boy just?
Can a boy just dream?

I know the sign, the look in your eye forbidden fruit (forbidden fruit, my forbidden fruit)
Suddenly I found the time put my love on the line (forbidden fruit, my forbidden fruit)

Los Angeles art-pop producer ELPENTHE explores the organic and intimate side of electronic dance in his debut EP, ELPENTHE I. ELPENTHE, aka Elliott Beenk, started in rural Iowa, where at six years old he discovered a promotion on the lid of a Pizza Hut box. After collecting enough tokens, he traded them in for a mix CD that introduced him to the Red Hot Chili Peppers – and he was hooked. He found a love of environmentalism in college that would rival his love of music, leading a solar-powered bike tour with his college band. He earned a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering, then moved to LA where he made connections that led him to working with his hero, Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers). He has since also collaborated with Lissie, Leo Nocentelli (The Meters), Finish Ticket, Brian West (Maroon 5, U2, Nelly Furtado, K’Naan), and Janelle Monae. ELPENTHE takes its name from the ancient Greek nepenthe, a potion used by the gods to chase away sorrow.