8/10

Throughout the last few years, emerging artist Soul Kaktus has looked to adopt an incredibly broad and diverse appeal. Conjuring a heady mix of soul, R&B, rock and Bossa Nova influences into his beautifully compelling aesthetic, he has quickly earned a reputation for warm and inviting grooves with everything he produces. And after another vibrant run of much-loved outings in recent months, he is now looking to cement his dynamic legacy to date with his eagerly-awaited self-titled debut EP, a collection brimming with more of that passion and allure he is known for.

Featuring the previously shared gems 'The Sun In My Sky' and 'Pillar In Time', this new five-track offering establishes more of that riveting direction he has become synonymous for recently. Channelling his inner Stevie Wonder with its classic soul-inspired textures from start to finish, he is certainly looking to lure us in with this arousing new delight. But while he may wear his influences firmly on his sleeves here, 'Soul Kaktus' still manages to carve out a fresh and distinctive direction for itself, making for some incredibly rich and shimmering offerings from beginning to end.

Things may still only just be getting started for him right now, but Soul Kaktus is clearly an artist brimming with plenty of fresh and explorative ideas just waiting to be explored. Coming at this new release with all the confidence of an artist with many more years under their belt, he is certainly a name worth keeping a firm eye on for the months ahead as well.