JORDAN RAKEI – WALLFLOWER – NINJA TUNE

New Ninja signing Jordan Rakei makes an understated but lasting impact with his debut for the label. In it he reveals himself to be a thoughtful, subtly touching vocalist, with some equally probing production at his back. On occasion the production could do with letting its vocalist come to the front a bit more, because Rakei has a wonderful voice that touches with its human qualities. ‘May’ is a gem of a song, talking of loss in atmospheric tones with a beautifully cultured piano. “You left without a chance to say goodbye”, he sings, while on Nerve he asks “how could I find a reason to love you when I don’t love myself?” ‘Lucid’ is a profound, open song, both lyrically and musically, and typifies the smooth, classy approach of a vocalist with genuine, lasting promise.
 
Ben Hogwood
4 out of 5

https://ninjatune.net/release/jordan-rakei/wallflower