After selling out two shows at London’s Eventim Apollo, and our very own Cardiff SU (along with many other venues on the way), Jack Garratt has had quite the year. Not only has he had a stellar tour that has seen him take on the world, but the young artist also won the Brits Critics’ Choice Award as well as the BBC Sound of 2016 poll. When listening to his debut album ÔÇÿPhase’, it is not difficult to see why he’s had such a monumental 12 months.

ÔÇÿPhase’ is a marriage of sublime synth work, juddering bass lines, and virtuosic musicality. The album starts as it means to go on, ÔÇÿCoalesce (Synesthesia pt. II)’ contrasts Garratt’s subtle vocals with his incredible falsetto range accompanied by a screeching synth line. This contrast between subtly and supernova can be seen in many of the other tunes on the album (ÔÇÿFire’, ÔÇÿFar Cry’, ÔÇÿWorry’ just to name a few). When you appreciate that Garratt plays every instrument on the album himself, and performs it all live (often playing keys and drums simultaneously), he is truly the modern one man band. His talent shines through, and his ability to blend a variety of genres to create such a unique and popular album is a credit to the hard work the young man puts in. It will be exciting to see where his music takes him nextÔǪ

@johnjarman1