Ben Heyworth’s "Creatures" is a soulful, nostalgic return worth the wait
After years away from the spotlight, Ben Heyworth re-emerges with Creatures, a stunning three-track EP that feels both timeless and acutely present — a work that captures the delicate poetry of ordinary lives and the streets they inhabit. Older, wiser, and more reflective, Heyworth has distilled a lifetime of stories and sonics into a record that’s as intimate as a conversation over pints and as sweeping as the Manchester skies he sings beneath.
Heyworth has always been a storyteller at heart, and Creatures makes it clear that his hiatus hasn’t dulled his narrative instincts. In fact, there’s a sharpened sense of detail here, an ability to conjure vivid scenes with a few choice phrases — be it the peculiar characters of Ancoats marina or the ghosts of past selves haunting familiar streets. Every lyric feels lived-in, the work of a man who’s paid attention to the quiet, in-between moments of life.
Musically, the EP leans heavily into what Heyworth fittingly describes as urban folk — a contemporary twist on the English folk tradition, layered with warm acoustic guitar, rich harmonies, and the occasional filthy, gloriously warbling organ line that wouldn’t feel out of place on a Crowded House B-side or a moody Tori Amos cut. There’s a distinctly '90s British indie heart beating beneath these tracks, but it’s paired with a modern clarity and precision in the production that makes the EP feel fresh, not retro.
Heyworth’s vocals are the glue that binds it all together. There’s an effortless smoothness to his delivery — a voice that’s aged like good whiskey, gaining character without losing warmth. Whether he’s crooning tenderly over stripped-back fingerpicking or harmonizing against layered, cinematic arrangements, Heyworth's tone feels perfectly matched to the melancholic glow of the material. His phrasing is patient, often letting words hang in the air just a second longer than expected, allowing their weight to settle.
The acoustic guitar work throughout Creatures is exceptional — deceptively simple on the surface, but layered with nuanced voicings and melodic runs that reveal themselves on repeat listens. It’s clear that Heyworth has spent time honing his craft, and the result is a body of work that feels unhurried, fully realized, and deeply personal.
While Creatures spans just three songs, it delivers the kind of complete listening experience that many full-length albums struggle to achieve. It traces arcs of place, memory, and belonging, offering listeners a window into Heyworth’s Manchester and the strange, beautiful, damaged souls that populate it. The production and mixing are equally deserving of praise — lush and organic, yet never over-polished, preserving the raw humanity at the record’s core.
In a time when music so often feels disposable, Creatures is a reminder of the enduring power of well-crafted songs sung by an artist with something meaningful to say. It’s a quietly remarkable comeback, a small but vital collection of songs that feels like the work of a man who’s found his voice again — and more importantly, knows exactly how to use it.
Here’s to hoping that more is in the works in a similar vein to this record, but if not, we urge everyone to familiarize yourself with this masterclass of work! Listen in, follow along, and stay tuned for the latest by clicking those links below.
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