Not A Temporary Love: Ben Platt's 'Sing To Me Instead'

Hot off the heels of his role as ‘Evan Hansen’ in the 2017 smash-hit musical Dear Evan Hansen, Ben Platt has released his first studio album: Sing To Me Instead. Platt’s album is a collection of heart-wrenching songs that remind us all of the kind of heartbreak that made us think our worlds were tumbling down. The three singles released prior to the album’s release; ‘Bad Habit’, ‘Ease My Mind’ and ‘Grow As We Go’ are particularly heartbreaking. Platt’s performance in these songs are so powerful and convincing that it’s nearly impossible to keep from crying. Platt’s album takes the listener on a journey through the stages of heartbreak, from denial to anger to acceptance and moving on.

For those who fell in love with Platt during his performance as ‘Evan Hansen’, this album has been hotly anticipated. While other stars have pursued music outside of Broadway and failed to gain popularity and success outside of a small niche fan base, the Tony Award winning actor has managed to break out into the mainstream, landing a performance on The Today Show as well as a performance on James Corden’s Carpool Karaoke with fellow Broadway peer Sara Bareilles. Platt’s album delivers on multiple fronts, from lyrics, to composition, and most importantly, performance. As I mentioned above, Ben Platt’s performance in this album is stellar. Platt proved himself to be a vocal powerhouse in his time on Broadway and in this album, he is able to flex his vocal chords and turn up the dial on his own material. If you’re not into Broadway style belting, no worries! There are songs in here for you. Platt not only delivers stunning high notes with incredible power, he also manages to deliver quiet, subtle moments as well. This stark contrast to his louder moments offer an amazing dynamic as well as demonstrate Platt’s stunning control over his voice.

Ben Platt’s album is an incredible vocal and musical feat that I very much enjoyed listening to. Out of the twelve songs on this album, I’d have to say that my top five are ‘Grow As We Go’, ‘Bad Habit’, ‘Older’, ‘New’, and ‘Honest Man’. These songs detail a personal journey and I think that they are his most powerful on the album. For anyone who’s interested in sad love songs, this is the album for them. Ben Platt fans and non-fans alike can find something to love in this album, whether it’s Platt’s vocal range or the stories that he tells, I think that there’s something in here for everyone. The versatility in his album is also very appealing. Platt’s style in this album ranges from classic Broadway belting to something closer to Soul at points. Platt channels these elements in order to deliver a complex and impressive album. As a whole, it works and it works well. I have very few complaints about this album, and I for one cannot wait to see what he comes up with next.

Rating: 9/10