REVIEW: Ben Platt debuts album fit to ease one’s mind
Listeners have been left speechless by Broadway star Ben Platt’s debut solo album, “Sing to me Instead.” Since the release of two singles, “Bad Habit” and “Ease My Mind,” Platt has paved the way towards a pop career, starting off on a good foot after earning a Tony for lead actor in a musical for “Dear Evan Hansen,” a Grammy for Best Musical Show Soundtrack, and an Emmy for his performances on the “Today” show.
After Platt’s performance on stage, fans have been excited to hear a debut album from the singer himself and “Sing To Me Instead” has not disappointed. The album consists of 12 tracks co-written by Platt and creates a personal overview of the singer to the fans, showing the emotions of Platt and even a vision of possible former relationships.
The first single, “Bad Habit,” opens the album as a lovely ballad that features vocals that spark a range of emotions. The feel of “Bad Habit” continues throughout most of the album, with the concepts of heartbreak and heartfelt, as the singer showcases emotions from the high of meeting someone new to learning you may not be right for someone. Platt chooses to then speed up towards the end of the album with “Share Your Address,” a bop that could make anyone believe Platt was meant to be a star.
Listeners will notice a wide vocal range, normally displayed for only Broadway. Platt’s signature vibrato comes through on titles such as “Waving Through A Window” and “Only Us,” as well as his collaboration with “Hamilton” star, Lin-Manuel Miranda for the song “Found/Tonight.”
The song “In Case You Don’t Live Forever” goes beyond the concept of a partner. Platt uses this song to pay ode to men who made a large effect on his life including his father and his great-uncle, who was the only other LGBTQ+ member of Platts’s family.
Additionally, lyrics throughout the song also suggest Platt regrets the starry-eyed moves he never made. The combination of these creates a ride of emotions for the audience, which Platt communicates well, as a well-paced meaningful addition to the album.
When Platt came out publically with his sexual orientation, he did so in a subtle way with the music video “Ease My Mind” and an interview with People Magazine.
“I love that a byproduct has been being able to be representation for the queer community and to show that’s very much part of who I am, but also I don’t want that to replace the music,” Platt said in an interview with The Daily Beast.
“Sing To Me Instead” may be Platt’s debut album, but fans are quaking to hear more, and soon.
