The search is on: Bryn Christopher's "The Quest" (Nu-soul)

"Bryn Christopher is soul-searching" by Marcus Scott

UK native Bryn Christopher’s vocals are an atomic blast in the aftermath of a mushroom cloud on his four-track EP, The Quest. With the current Soul/Jazz revival of Europe, Christopher couldn’t have come at a better time with his music—a Wall of Sound effect ala big beat marching band—in a genre making a huge splash on mainstream radio. Only a few years ago, tabloid queen Amy Winehouse made her crossover the US pop scene before a superfluity of others came—Duffy, Adele, Yelle—Christopher has taken notes that may lead him to success.

Listening to the tear-jerking downtempo electronica piano rock number “Taken Me Over,” a song that sounds like a fog rolling over a salty sea bares testimony. A song about breathing after getting over a rough patch, the song creates a beauty that’s missing in pop music: it gives the lyrical content atmosphere. A song that may draw comparisons to Coldplay’s “Speed of Sound,” Christopher’s raspy and distorted high tenor is given that extra push—with the clinking drum machines and easy listening synthpop keys—no doubt a miracle produced by Jarrad “Jaz” Rodgers, who plays the tunes for all the songs on the record. Add lyrics like “It’s been a long while until you pulled into the station of my mind,” and you’ve got an interesting track.

Nothing comes close to the hellbent fury of standout “My World,” a work of art by means of contemporary pop standards. Its reincarnation themed tune is boosted with casually gritty hoarse intonation selling his sound and leaving viewers listening, wanting more bulk to the too-short record. Its funk soul movin’-on-up introduction to its doo-wop Motown pop resonance calls to mind the magic of groups Ike & Tina and Marvelettes. The only thing missing with the song is a short cameo, maybe a rap, especially to a song that’s reminiscent of Heavy D & The Boyz hit “Now That We Found Love” with its pulsing choir backbeat.

The EP, however has its setbacks and while Christopher shows off his powerful range, takes less risks vocally, accessing notes in a more forceful growl than a soft coo that could be layered nicely in songs like “The Quest (acoustic).” Also, the length of the record is too short. While EPs are short, it almost feels he kicked out of the studio. Nonetheless, Christopher has achieved his goal, the record keeps listeners interested until his next work in progress and aren’t those the point of EPs?