Manningtree’s own Ben Brown returns with 'Crying Out Loud', taken from the deluxe edition of his debut EP Blue, and produced by folk-punk icon Frank Turner. Rooted in Brown’s acoustic-folk sound, the song blends shimmering guitar lines with his heartfelt vocals, carrying an intimacy that feels both nostalgic and timeless. Written during the pandemic, 'Crying Out Loud' captures the universal longing for connection and familiarity at that time. Lines such as “take me back to the hilltop, back to the common” evoke a yearning for simpler, freer times. It’s a reflective piece, shaped by a desire to hold onto memory when the present felt uncertain. The accompanying video, filmed locally in Mistley beneath an 800-year-old oak tree, roots the song in Brown’s Essex heritage. Gentle yet powerful, “Crying Out Loud” is proof of Brown’s gift for storytelling- drawing on his folk-indie sensibilities to create something deeply personal yet resonant. It’s another step forward for a songwriter carving his own voice in the UK’s acoustic scene. -Rachel Fryer