Signed to Jay Z’s Roc Nation, Romans kicks it hard with a New Jack meets future funk vocal treat. Its shimmering music box intro gravity drops into crisp, crunchy and broken beats. The backing vocals are sweet, Motown-drenched doo-wop soul and the production and writing has the magic touch that makes friends and countrymen alike lend Roman their ears. ‘Prisoner’ is a pre-cursor to Romans solo album. That it comes hot on the heels of his success with practically everyone worth working with – not least Rudimental, Lapsley, Birdy, Gorgon City, Mary J Blige, Taylor Swift, Disclosure and AlunaGeorge ‘I’m In Control’ further maps this stellar trajectory. Feels like oversized jumpsuits, summer knitwear and Timberlands have suddenly become a thing.
5 out of 5
Reviewed by Paulette
