Syd Bennett’s Beard marks a personal return

What's happened

The Guardian profiles Syd Bennett, formerly of the Internet, as she releases Beard, a solo album she calls her first truly hers. The piece traces her departure from group dynamics, the move to a private studio, and her new focus on authentic self-expression after years of collaboration.

What's behind the headline?

Insightful snapshot

• Syd Bennett has steered her career toward personal artistry, away from the expectations of groups like Odd Future and the Internet.
• Beard is framed as a milestone: it’s described as her most authentic work, reflecting a maturation from collaboration to individuality.
• The interview highlights a broader shift in music where artists seek ownership over sound and image rather than external validation.

What this signals

• A trend toward artist-led projects that foreground personal narratives.
• Potential influence on peers to pursue solo voices in the wake of group dynamics.
• The album’s reception may hinge on Bennett’s ability to balance familiar sounds with new personal textures.

How we got here

Bennett rose from Odd Future to form the Internet before releasing a string of acclaimed solo works. Beard represents a turning point in her career as she prioritises personal voice over accolades after buying a house in LA and building a personal studio.

Our analysis

The Guardian profiles Syd Bennett and Beard, detailing her past with Odd Future and the Internet, and her move toward a personal, writerly voice. The piece emphasizes authenticity and studio-building as core to this transition.

Go deeper

• Is Beard Bennett’s most personal work to date a sign of broader industry moves toward solo ownership?
• Will this solo turn influence other artists leaving collaborative groups?

More on these topics

• LMFAO - Electronic duo

  LMFAO was an American electronic dance music duo consisting of uncle Redfoo and nephew SkyBlu. They respectively are a son and grandson of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy.

• BBC News - Broadcasting corporation

  BBC News is an operational business division of the British Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs in the UK and around the world.

• Los Angeles - Sport

  Test cricket is the form of the sport of cricket with the longest match duration, and is considered the game's highest standard.