SIPHO is one of the UK's most fascinating new artists. His debut, full-length, album has been highly anticipated since the release of his EP, AND GOD SAID… in 2021.

The Birmingham native has been drip-feeding fans singles from the album for nearly a year now, with five of his recent releases featuring on PRAYERS & PARANOIA. Now, however, the hour of reckoning is at hand. Can SIPHO deliver across a whole 13 tracks?

Opening with ‘Elevation’ – not the U2 song! – the album gets off to a very promising start, with what is a slick track that has SIPHO’s smooth vocals to the fore.

The feeling of continuity aimed at, on the album as a whole, is worth noting, as SIPHO transitions seamlessly between the songs. While each track works as a stand-alone piece of music, the whole thing blends seamlessly, as – in the lyrics – the singer explores the challenges of growing up in an environment that is at best tough, and often hostile.

Fans will already be sold on the previously released singles, ‘Sober,’ ‘Lock It In,’ ‘The Chemicals,' ‘Arms’ and ‘Run For Your Life’. The good news is that the brand-new tracks on the album are similarly captivating.

‘Fill Me Up’ and ‘Prayers’ are immediately impressive. There's a finely judged falsetto in ‘The Chemicals’ and gorgeous deeper tones in ‘Paranoia’ – between them confirming the breadth of SIPHO’s vocal range and ability.

On ‘Run For Your Life’ – a stunning duet with Shaé Universe – the pair embark on a powerful vocal tangle to create something almost otherworldly.

Clocking in at over 5 minutes, ‘Plans’ – the final song on the album – ties everything together tastefully, the stripped-back nature of the track bringing the listener back down to earth, but gently.

The verdict: SIPHO truly proves himself as a contender here, on record oozes funk and soul. It's a real challenge to deliver an album that can be enjoyed all the way through but, with PRAYERS & PARANOIA, he's nailed it.