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Chrys Weedon<\/strong> | Entertainment Editor<\/span><\/p>\n Since the premiere of the Broadway musical \u201cDear Evan Hansen\u201d on July 9, 2015, Ben Platt has captured audience\u2019s attention with his passionate performances and beautiful voice. After Platt left \u201cDear Evan Hansen\u201d on Nov. 17, 2017, he performed at the 60th annual Grammy awards and released a mashup with \u201cHamilton\u201d creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. Aside from these projects, Platt seemed to become more quiet, possibly taking a break from his intense work as Evan in \u201cDear Evan Hansen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n But in January 2019, Platt announced his much anticipated debut album \u201cSing to Me Instead.\u201d Four singles were released before the album\u2019s official release on March 29.<\/span><\/p>\n Platt\u2019s songs feature strong piano melodies reminiscent of his \u201cDear Evan Hansen\u201d days, and soft, more muted guitar riffs that emphasize the heavy, intricate emotions this album is based on. The more simplistic technical aspects of this album could almost categorize the songs as pop, but their combination with lyrical intricacy creates songs that feel like ballads. Platt\u2019s album could be easily characterized as empath rock due to the highly emotional content that reads like poetry.<\/span><\/p>\n The relative plainess of the instrumentals throughout the album only serves to support Platt\u2019s killer vocal ability \u2014 his range is incredibly strong. Platt\u2019s vocal runs, belts and the pure emotion injected into his voice are the true highlights of this album. Missing are the flashy, Broadway belting vocal moments, which benefits the album in my opinion.<\/span><\/p>\n Another highlight of this album are the lyrics. Platt co-wrote the songs on his album with a team, including Eg White, who co-wrote Adele\u2019s \u201cChasing Pavements.\u201d The songs lean more toward emotional ballads, but a couple songs have more upbeat lyrics, like \u201cShare Your Address,\u201d a song about wanting to take a relationship to the next level. Platt\u2019s lyrics feel like looking through a window and getting a glimpse into his emotional life, like the listener is reading a diary entry.<\/span><\/p>\n In a March 27, 2019 USA Today article by Patrick Ryan, Platt is quoted: \u201cthe whole point of this (album) is to be honest about my own experiences and talk about things that have happened to me. A lot of those things just happen to be with men that I’ve been in love with.”<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n