Ben Heyworth shares new single “Sleepwalker”

After years of exploration, reinvention and well-earned pause, Manchester-based artist Ben Heyworth made a new entrance under his own name this year, now older, wiser and creatively recharged. With a career that’s glided across indie rock, electronic pop and intimate acoustic storytelling, his return feels like both a long-awaited moment and an opportunity for him explore new spheres of his ongoing musical vision.

His origins in the Manchester music scene are longstanding; he first emerged in the early 2000s as part of the band Minorplanet, earning a reputation as a songwriter with an ear for melody and atmosphere, while he later shifted gears to create electronic pop under the alias This Morning Call. Released through Swedish indie label Substream between 2010 and 2014, his two albums under that name blended reflection with experimentation, expanding his sound into cinematic, synth-led areas. Now, with his solo return, Ben Heyworth finds himself at a crossroads between the past and the present.

His recent body of work reconnects him with his acoustic origins while embracing the sonic curiosity that’s leading him in new directions. In May this year, he released his Creatures EP and across three tracks, he painted sonic portraits of his environment, the people, the streets and the poetic charm of Manchester. The EP once again confirmed his ability to turn local colour into relatable feeling, making Manchester a living part of his storytelling.

He followed Creatures with the August single “Tell Me, What Is Love?,” and now he brings us his latest release with his new single titled “Sleepwalker.” Originally conceived back in 2006 and brought fully to life nearly two decades later, “Sleepwalker” is at once a resurrection and a creative reinvention. Drawing inspiration from 80s icons like Depeche Mode, Soft Cell and New Order, the song sees Ben depart from his acoustic comfort zone to explore a darker, more immersive synth-driven sound.

Set up by the crisp rattle of punching beats, the soft echo of a synth line ushers in muted guitar notes and Ben’s smooth vocal leads as he forms a slick alternative pop soundscape. Rolling with moody melodic leads, the synth rock arrangement flows with steady percussive march and engrossing aesthetic, drifting in a dreamy breakdown as the bubble of bright synths pepper the track with vibrant hues.

Stuttering synth rhythms give way to Ben’s gliding vocal lines in the finale, closing the track on an invigorating dance pop-tinged vibe to leave a lasting impression of the song. It’s an epic new release that unveils a new side to Ben Heyworth’s sound, framing his enduring songwriting talent in an exciting new setting that’s sure to win over new and existing fans alike. With “Sleepwalker,” Ben Heyworth reimagines his past, offering listeners an atmospheric and memorable musical experience that marks a thrilling new chapter in his musical story.

Listen to Sleepwalker below

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