7/10

Over the last few years, emerging singer and songwriter Louis Dunford has been slowly but surely growing his fanbase with a bright and uplifting blend of rich and uplifting pop-rock offerings. And with backing from the likes of i-D, Complex and Wonderland, the North Londoner is already firmly on course to become one of this country's next big names. And with already so much buzz behind him, he now releases his long-awaited debut EP 'The Morland', a collection that looks to cement all that acclaim he is riding right now.

From the start, Louis Dunford comes across as another warm and inviting singer-songwriter who isn't really keen to break any new ground. But just listening for the first few tracks and it is clear that this young talent is pushing an agenda far beyond the cliched riff-raff of today. With a strong and determined approach to storytelling, married effortlessly with his distinctly charming vocals, 'The Morland' is more than just another pop-rock EP and instead delivers a broad and diverse array of uplifting and shimmering ditties that showcase him as a charismatic troubadour arriving on the scene.

Whether it's the simple ballads of 'London's Requiem' or the vibrant Billy Bragg-esque direction of 'When We Were Hooligans', Louis Dunford demands your attention through it all. He hasn't quite got that one song that'll see him push through to the mainstream just yet, but it feels like he isn't far off.