Josef Salvat - Night Swim: Salvat is still figuring his own sound out

If the only exposure you've had to Josef Salvat has been via his cover of Rihanna's pop smash Diamonds, you may be pleasantly surprised by his full-length debut.

If you heard the promise of his debut EP, however, you may be a little disenchanted.

The Australian's minimalist electropop stylings are likeable, particularly when he dips into the soulful end of his style as heard on the sleek Closer, while the lyrics of Punchline – a broken-hearted ballad with a kick – are clever.

As the album progresses, Salvat becomes more likely to repeat himself.

The title track sounds caught between the poppier end of James Blake’s canon and the edgier end of Sam Smith’s.

In other words, it mostly sounds like Salvat is still figuring his own sound out.

[ Josefsalvat.com ]