Bryn Christopher: 'Smilin'

So many new acts these days are billed as a "genuine soul sensation" or "a voice to rival Winehouse", but 22-year-old Birmingham lad Bryn Christopher deserves the superlatives. While his debut single, 'The Quest', may have been slightly lacking in pizazz, his impressive vocal performance ensured plenty of folk are looking forward to his debut album.

Stepping up a gear from 'The Quest', 'Smilin' is a mid-tempo soul number that's not a million miles away from Gnarls Barkley's classic 'Crazy'. Channelling the spirits of Prince, Tina Turner and Cee-Lo Green, Christopher's vocals are rich and impressive, while the hints of lyrical darkness ("It's burning up a hole in my veins, and suddenly everything's fine") offer a layer of intrigue to the track. It still lacks the killer pop hook needed to send Christopher soaring up the charts, but he's definitely one to keep an eye on.