Future Stars: Stealth (Tileyard Records)

Taken from this week’s Future Pop mailer. Click here to subscribe.

The sudden success of Stealth’s new song Judgement Day shows the true power of a great sync. It was featured in the closing scene of the season finale of US legal drama, Suits, and although it’s not one of the biggest TV shows, the song soared up the Shazam new release charts, debuting at no.9 in the US and 13 in the UK. Considering Stealth’s sound is soulful and bluesy, I’m sure many people will assume he’s American, but in fact, he’s a Brummie! His sound reminds me of Hozier and Rag’n’Bone Man, with rough vocals and religious imagery. I feel that Judgement Day is style over substance, jumping on a sonic bandwagon, and I think the singer’s “average bloke” look doesn’t give him the distinctive character to pull it off. However, I really liked his previous single I Don’t Need Your Love, which has a strong groove and catchy chorus. Stealth got his start as a teen on a TV talent show (I won’t say which, as he’s gone to great lengths to hide his real name!) and then, as Stealth, was featured on dance tracks by artists like Netsky, Roger Sanchez and Drumsound & Bassline Smith. In recent months he’s been played on Radio 1 and Radio 2, and supported Seinabo Sey and Jamie Woon, and his focus now turns to promoting his debut EP, Intro, out on 25th March.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKW2c3CsUD4]

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