Games in the Dark

Released in 2008, Games in the Dark is the second independent EP from Ben Howard, serving as a critical bridge between his early demos and his major-label debut, Every Kingdom. Recorded before he adopted the dense, effects-laden soundscapes that would define his later career, this record highlights his foundational 'pick and go' guitar technique. The production is notably drier and more intimate than his subsequent work, focusing on the interplay between his raspy, soulful vocals and intricate acoustic arrangements. The EP features an early version of his breakout hit 'Keep Your Head Up,' which here possesses a more folk-centric, raw energy. Critically, it is viewed as the definitive document of his 'surf-folk' era, characterized by coastal imagery and rhythmic urgency. The inclusion of cello on tracks like 'Empty Corridors' hints at the chamber-folk influences that would persist throughout his catalog, though the overall tone remains more upbeat and accessible than his later, more experimental ventures.