London-based composer and filmmaker Ben Cura has created a sonic mirror to our collective anxiety in a world that seems to be getting louder and more chaotic. “The Fear” is the eerie lead single for his upcoming album MODERN LIFE, which will be released on January 9, 2026. It was released on December 12, 2025, under his new brand CURASONIC.
Cura, who is well-known for his work in both film and performance, gives this composition a distinctly directorial eye—or rather, ear. It’s an immersive environment rather than just a song. “The Fear” opens by taking the listener to an expansive, cinematic-style setting. The production is painstakingly layered, fusing the grit of “darker urban moods” with the grace of neoclassical textures.
A throbbing electronic heartbeat appears as the song goes on. Instead of offering a consistent dance floor groove, it produces a feeling of mechanical urgency and “emotional overload.” A “sweeping” effect is produced by swelling synth pads and shimmering textures, simulating the sensation of being lost in a vast, high-tech metropolis. A synthetic horizon that is both futuristic and a little unnerving lurks beneath the surface. It effectively blurs the distinction between a skillfully composed film score and a stand-alone work of art.
“The Fear” presents a sophisticated overview of the modern era. It retains a high degree of artistic beauty while capturing the paralysis of the modern era. As 2026 approaches, fans of Max Richter, Röhannæhannsson, or the darker side of ambient electronic music should keep an eye on Ben Cura.
