It's a great sign when you buy a CD (yes I still do that) and you don't ever feel the need to skip a track.
I came across one of those recently. It's been quite a while since I bought an album by an artist I wasn't already invested in (largely because most of the music I've come across in recent years is pretty inane lyrically).
But Sing To Me Instead by Ben Platt is a rare exception. And it's bloody good.
I watched the Netflix series The Politician, which Ben Platt stars in, and then realised I had seen him before in Pitch Perfect.
Then a couple of clips of him performing original songs started appearing in my YouTube feed and, while that's normally a cause to be disturbed, it's led me to an album I can't put down.
I actually had to order the physical copy - I know I could have downloaded it but there's something about having an album with the lyrics printed there for you and it feels more like a piece of work than something purely digital.
What strikes me about these songs are they have so much depth, they feel personal and from what I'm led to believe they largely are very personal. That makes them exceptional.
It seems each song tells a different story. They might be special stories to him, as he co-wrote every song, but a lot of them resonate way beyond just being about one person and situation.
The opening song Bad Habit is my favourite track, and it's funny how a song comes along and can fit a situation you're in or you've been in.
Though probably the most powerful lyrics come from the song Older - and I think everyone should be able to relate to them:
"When you are younger, you'll wish you're older.
Then when you're older, you wish for time to turn around.
Don't let your wonder turn into closure
When you get older, when you get older."
Then there's this gem I think we should take note of:
"If I wait until tomorrow comes, is the waiting all I've ever done?"
There's a great mix of almost broadway style exuberance in songs like New and Share Your Address, then there are tender moments like Honest Man, Hurt Me Once and In Case You Don't Live Forever will floor most people with a soul.
Interestingly, before I discovered he'd recorded an album (released nine months ago) I came across a song called Rain which is slightly more pop-style but has that broadway element (and the film clip is ridiculous but amusing).
I wonder what he'll produce next.
If you haven't had a listen to any of his songs before, do yourself a favour. Sensational voice, songs with depth, highly recommended.
