Peyton

It could be argued that Christopher Peyton was an unlikely contestant for X Factor in 2016. Having made it to Judge's Houses, he was of course beaten by Honey G to a coveted place in the live shows. However, prior to the competition he was already a well established vocalist on the dance circuit, having spent 15 years working with a wide array of producers. Although not a household name, his voice was already known to many. While one door may have closed, Peyton decided it was finally time to put a face to his music and he finally releases his post-X Factor album, Sinners Got Soul Too.

There is no denying that the American born son of a Preacher has got soul. His voice is one of those that can move even the hardest of hearts to uncontrollable fluttering, but that does not mean that his latest studio album Sinners Got Soul Too is the perfect slice of soulful pop.

That is not to say it is a bad collection. It is, in fact, well above average. However, it does not quite take you to heaven, leaving you floating somewhere in between. Yet strangely it is not for the soulful elements, but rather for the lack of real sinner showcased within the teasingly titled collection.

The album thankfully veers away from just focussing on big ballads to showcase his vocal, although it is fair to say he can hit all the right notes to enable thim to have done so. It is in fact a playful pop gospel collection with just a touch of reggae thrown in for good measure.

With the soft piano moment The Way I Love You proof that it doesn't need to all be power punch to hit home, it is in the more intimate moments that Peyton really shines. However, the anthemic I'll Rise is one that you will be chanting in days to come.

While the album artwork may be crowned the worst of 2018, we have a feeling that album's contents may just have sent Peyton's career in a new direction, on that is very firmly upwards.