This year has seen Nathan Sykes make an inspiring return to his solo career after 2022’s emotional reunion with chart-toppers The Wanted. Recent singles ‘Pieces Of Me’, ‘Getting Lost’ and ‘Butterflies’ have revealed a maturity and honesty that will allow him to build on the Silver-certified success of his debut solo record ‘Unfinished Business’. The result is today’s release of his long-awaited second album ‘Ultraviolet’. Listen HERE.
‘Ultraviolet’ is an album in which Nathan expresses precisely what he wants to say without compromise. There are songs exulting everything that he appreciates in the present moment – especially his relationship with his fiancee – but he doesn’t shy away from emotional turmoil too, from grief to self-doubt. That creative liberation also extends to the variety of styles he embraces and the eclectic ways in which he utilises his voice.
The album’s title track and new focus song is particularly indicative of that, with Nathan sounding far unlike anything he has released in the past. He comes across like an American R&B star on its verses, before scaling up the intensity for its larger-than-life hook – it’s the kind of fascinating genre-blurring track that he couldn’t have made until now.
Of the album’s brand new songs, ‘Beautiful’ is an instant stand-out, with Nathan’s rich harmonies layered into a choral wall-of-sound that’s adorned with sparse, jazzy sonic textures. His vocal dexterity sprawls throughout, from the flighty falsetto that feels positively euphoric on ‘Dive’ to the baritone that propels the chorus of summer soul number ‘Guess I Was Right’. Meanwhile ‘Skin’ is a slow motion drift of pure sensual vibes and ‘Coasting’ leans into alt-pop, with Nathan’s voice pitch-shifted beyond recognition. The bravest moment is ‘Time To Say Goodbye’, an affecting song of loss which escalates into a dramatic, show-stopping finale.
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