Review: Ben Inglis

Next up is the new EP from Livingston’s own Ben Inglis, a four-track live release titled Live at the Limbic Studio – Volume 1, and if this is just the first instalment, we’re already hoping Volume 2 is not far behind.

Opening with Somebody Else, the EP immediately puts to bed any fears of a rough, boxy live recording. This sounds raw in the best way, but the production is warm, clear and beautifully balanced. The breezy intro builds naturally, and when the vocal enters it feels intertwined with the instrumentation rather than sitting on top of it. Ben has that rare ability to let a song breathe – something so many modern writers forget – and it gives the music far more impact. Despite darker lyrical themes, the track feels uplifting, driven by a gorgeously harmonised chorus. At times it drifts into an almost jamming state, like a modern take on The Doors, adding depth and authenticity. The whispered middle eight is a standout moment, building tension before lifting once more. It’s heartfelt, unique and a perfect introduction.

Hey Hey follows with pronounced acoustic strumming before the familiar Inglis layers fill the space around it, wrapping the listener in a warm sonic embrace. The vocal takes centre stage here, and the harmonies once again elevate the track into something that feels unmistakably his. There’s a generational sweep to this one – faint nods to Dylan, Petty, even Ashcroft – but it never feels derivative. The guitar work is exceptional, not flashy or indulgent, but purposeful. Every note feels considered, placed to enhance the emotion rather than distract from it. The song has a dreamlike quality that carries you along so effortlessly you barely notice how expansive it really is.

With Born In, we return to strummed chords and reflective lyricism. There’s a sadness woven through the verses, but it’s constantly counterbalanced by optimism in the music. The lyrics here deserve attention – urban poetry delivered with sincerity and weight. The chorus lifts beautifully with dual vocals adding strength and memorability. Once again, the space between the notes is just as powerful as the notes themselves. It’s mature songwriting, confident enough to hold back when needed and trust the listener to follow.

Finally, Take Me Up arrives with a soaring guitar line that immediately sets it apart. The lead almost acts as a second vocal, countering the reflective, melancholic verse. But as with so much of Ben’s work, light and dark coexist. The chorus brings a surge of uplift, and halfway through the track there’s a shift into a more desperate, emotionally charged refrain. Layer upon layer of harmonies build into something powerful and immersive. At nearly nine minutes long, it’s an epic in the truest sense – not self-indulgent, but expansive and deeply felt. You don’t just listen to this track; you travel through it.

Live at the Limbic Studio – Volume 1 proves that Ben Inglis is not just a talented songwriter, but a craftsman who understands the importance of space, emotion and journey. These performances feel intimate yet expansive, raw yet refined. If this is what he can do live, then consider us well and truly limbic – because this EP hits straight at the emotional core.