All you really need to know about ‘Small Talk’ is that it’s a collection of six bangers. Listen now.
But for those of you wanting a bit more info, MNEK has been pretty busy over the last couple of years despite not yet reaching his full potential as a solo popstar. Writing credits and vocal collaborations include a string of dance acts like Chris Malinchak, Sub Focus, Duke Dumont and Bondax, as well as pop acts like Clean Bandit, Little Mix, Bastille, Olly Murs and even Madonna. If you know him from anything though, it’ll be from providing vocals on Gorgon City’s Ready For Your Love.
As a solo artist, he was nominated for the BBC’s Sound Of 2014 poll, but has yet to score a hit. That should change with the release of this EP. Mixing elements of soul, garage and house, the vocals are impressively nuanced and rich, the hooks are radio friendly and the beats are as deep as they come. The funky Every Little Word cuts amusing samples over a bubbling bassline; More Than A Miracle has a filthy beat; and The Rhythm is a bona-fide number one in the making. In Your Clouds is more mid-tempo and dreamy, whilst Wrote A Song About You and Suddenly prove that MNEK doesn’t shy away from raw emotion amongst the polished dance production. A full album is on the way later this year, but for now this EP is a hugely enjoyable statement of intent.
4/5
Listen: 'Small Talk' is available now.
