Ben Platt, Imagine | Track Review

Ben Platt gets off to a good start with his first single of 2021, “Imagine,” which has a more pop oriented sound.

Sadly, not enough folks partook of what Ben Platt served up on his 2019 debut album, Sing to Me Instead.  Totally disgusting considering how talented Platt is.  Of course, he had plenty of other success, including starring on The Politician on Netflix.  For his sophomore album, however, it appears the former Dear Evan Hansen star is going more pop.  Sure, his debut was pop but his first single of 2021, “Imagine”, fits the mold of more modern pop.  Does it work for the big-voiced singer? For the most part, yes.

The key to any song that features Ben Platt in the leading role is that he’s able to show how gifted he is as a vocalist.  Even with more modern sheen on the production end of things, “Imagine” allows Platt to bless us with his prodigious pipes.  He has a marvelous tone, great range, and exhibits ample personality.  At first, I found myself a bit off-put by the production and the sound, but as “Imagine” progressed, the pacing made more sense, and Ben showed more passion, and assertiveness.  What’s never in doubt is the songwriting, which is very personal for Platt and also quite relatable to the audience.  Love is the theme, and everybody can relate to it whether it be good or bad.  Some of the best lyrics occur on the pre-chorus and chorus.  On the pre-chorus, Ben speaks of his partner, singing, “You say I’m your hero / But you are the one that saved me.” Love it! Of course, the centerpiece, where Platt is really able to flex, is the chorus:

“I can’t imagine my life without you
I can’t imagine one night without you
If something happened, don’t know what I’d do
I can’t imagine
I can’t imagine, my life without you.”

Final Thoughts  

Lyrically, perhaps Ben Platt writes nothing ‘brand new’ that we haven’t heard but it doesn’t matter. “Imagine” feels good, period.  As always, he sings marvelously and to reiterate, he has a great topic/theme to work with – love.  All in all, a great start to the launch of album number two.

Ben Platt • “Imagine” • Atlantic • 4.23.21

[: Atlantic]