Myles Smith moves with real assurance. Breakout smash ‘Stargazing’ may be familiar to you – it’s one of the year’s defining earworms, for sure – but there’s plenty more where that came from. If debut EP ‘You Promised A Lifetime’ was lit up by his potential, then ‘A Minute…’ finds the Luton songwriter taking stock, reaffirming his talents across seven instantly memorable songs.
Indeed, it’s to his credit that ‘Stargazing’ – placed second here – doesn’t over-shadow anything else, in spite of its overwhelming success. Opening gambit ‘Nice To Meet You’ is jaunty, snappy, and irresistibly catchy, while also carrying lyrical depth; ‘Wait For You’ is tender and forlorn, reminiscent of those early Hozier mega-bangers, while ‘Whisper’ strips away the bombast for something introspective.
Given his rapid rise, a few onlookers have struggled to place Myles Smith. The appearance of James Bay on ‘Waste’ gives a suggestion – a kindred spirit, both are old souls in young bodies, and both are in thrall to songwriting in its more classic forms. It’s a golden moment, a collaboration that reveals much about Myles Smith, and his intentions.
‘3am’ works through the push-and-pull of the pensive lyric vs the arena-worthy arrangement, while closer ‘Little By Little’ is thoroughly charming, with its waltz-feel and Coldplay worthy melodies.
So, where does Myles Smith stand at the finale of his new EP? ‘A Minute…’ ably builds on his debut, sketching out a persona that feels fresh but also recognisable; unafraid of writing Big Songs for Big Moments in our lives, ‘A Minute…’ seems to underline the songwriter’s inherent longevity.
7/10
Words: Robin Murray
