Ben Withers – “Ali’s Plan”

Ben Withers’ debut EP, “Ali’s Plan”, feels like an honest introduction to who he is as an artist. Coming from Witney, Oxfordshire and now based in Brighton, he’s clearly put everything into these three tracks. Working alongside producer Tom Gittins at Monochrome Productions, he spent a year building them out, and you can tell that time was spent getting the details right without overcomplicating things.

What stood out to me most is how personal this EP is, it’s rooted in a post lockdown chapter of his life, when he was dealing with a lot internally. “Weatherman” takes aim at how easily the news can sway us when we only see one side of a story. “Take It Easy” is actually my favorite here, it comes across like a conversation with yourself, reminding you to slow down and figure things out. And the title track, “Ali’s Plan”, digs into the tough reality of a friendship or relationship that’s run its course. These are straightforward ideas, but they’re delivered with sincerity. It’s safe to say it’s one of the best releases I’ve heard this week so far.

It’s a strong first step for Ben, and it makes me curious to hear where he’ll go next. If you’re into honest songwriting with a thoughtful edge, give “Ali’s Plan” a listen and keep up with Ben on social media as he has more planned for 2025.