Ben Heyworth returns with new EP

After years of creative adventure and a well-earned hiatus, Manchester-based artist Ben Heyworth returns with a new chapter under his own name; older, wiser and creatively recharged. Known for his melodic instinct and soulful delivery, Ben has re-emerged with a sound that feels at once familiar and thoroughly updated, blending heartfelt songwriting with a sense of place.

His latest project marks a return not only to personal storytelling, but to the acoustic warmth and lyrical intimacy that’s long been part of his work, now reframed through the lens of experience and artistic growth. His background in the Manchester music scene saw him first cutting his teeth in the early 2000s band Minorplanet, where he quickly made a name for himself as a compelling songwriter.

He later ventured into electronic pop with two critically noted albums under the alias This Morning Call, released through Swedish indie label Substream between 2010 and 2014. Those years showcased his experimental approach, but with this new solo venture, Ben Heyworth turns the spotlight back onto his voice and his stories.

Now based in the creative district of Ancoats marina, he draws inspiration from his surroundings, the characters, the cobbled streets and the quiet beauty of Manchester’s historic canals. This colourful backdrop breathes life into his latest release, a three-track EP titled Creatures that folds nostalgia, reflection and subtle humour into a layered, sonically engaging collection. The music was recorded at Blueprint Studios, a hallowed spot in Manchester that also counts Elbow among its regulars.

The EP opens with “Narrowboat,” a meditation on life, death and the flow of time as seen through the lens of Manchester’s waterways. It’s a track that feels unhurried yet profound, carried by delicate acoustic guitar flickers and Ben’s alluringly smooth vocals, serving up a charming slice of pop-focused indie folk that glides with charming vocal performance and intricate guitar work throughout.

Next up is “Image of Roads,” which paints a fictional American road trip, tinged with dreamlike ambiguity, a deliberate blur that gives the song its emotional impact. Anchored by atmospheric production and bittersweet melodies, the track conjures a vivid yet ghostly sense of motion and memory, once again showcasing Ben’s compelling vocals and rhythmic acoustic guitar backing, this time peppered with the pattering click of percussive elements and dashed with colourful synth texture.

Closing the EP with “Creature Double Feature,” Ben presents a more surreal offering that questions the faces we show to the world and the distorted versions of ourselves we might see in the mirror. With its playful lyricism and layered textures, it adds a hint of mischief to the project’s otherwise contemplative tone, hinting at the artist’s long-held gift for story-driven songwriting. With live performances planned for laterthis year, Ben Heyworth has made a welcome return to the music scene as an artist who’s clearly still got plenty more to say.

Listen to Creatures below