EP Review: ‘Christian Paul’ by Christian Paul

Most of us at Euphoria ATX are just recovering from rona-inflicted “March Madness” and this invariably entails unearthing new releases that slipped under the collective debris. Pop singer-songwriter Christian Paul’s debut EP is one of these gems that shines brightly past our abrupt present realities. Since last year, the 20 year old found-talent has quietly issued a steady stream of singles and videos flaunting his razor-sharp intuition and industry-winning voice. His self-titled EP culminates an identity search for an old-school brand with contemporary mass appeal. This is Shawn Mendes with an unapologetically classic soulful twist and we’re gonna fill our guilty little hearts with it.

Local fans have followed Chris’s adolescent success since his 2013 X-Factor audition followed by the short-lived boy band experiment Far Young. The gifted artist played his first drum kit at the age of four and subsequently learned guitar and piano. Early influences such as Sam Cooke and Curtis Mayfield are immediately apparent in his voice whereas hints of Prince and D’Angelo make their way into this EP’s production, bolstered by the likes of producers Ebenezer (Ty Dolla $ign, Craig David) and Bibi Bourelly (Rihanna, Lil Wayne).

“Chapter” is a translucent and vulnerable track affirming love as something you return to like the ear-marked pages of a well-worn book. Chris’s silky baritone arpeggiates into a reverberating falsetto and leads us into a buoyant hook that will surely make you blush. The songwriting is flattering and optimistic all the while veering into melodious, flowing raps. In “Maria,” the searing club tune transforms into lust-at-first-sight, transcending inhibitions and dialing the sexual tension up there with stratospheric trap beats. Guitar hooks recur obsessively throughout, as in “Here Tonight,” a versatile take on the bedroom-producer sound. The message is all about reconciliation, insecurity, and romantic optimism facing incertitude.

While these first three tracks show us Chris at his sweetest, the second half of the EP delves into the artist’s most vulnerable side. “Dead Beat” speaks for itself with its heavy trap ambience full of anguished vocals and disfigured guitar riffs. Likewise, “Bad Manners” builds the yearning mood with a stuttering guitar riff and deep-toned sub-bass. The lyrics are remorseful and resentful, treating us to an authentic view of this sensitive, generous songwriter. The final track lifts the spirits and declares that “We don’t settle / from nothing less.” The vibe is relaxed and under-stated, ending Chris’s EP on a confident, redemptive note. This song, much like the rest of the EP, keeps its cool. Curiously, it’s also the only track ending in a fade-out, effectively teasing what the future may hold for this young, promising artist.

Skeptics may see an underground pop star gambling on music trends, but this air-tight EP speaks to Christian Paul’s pure potential. Every vocalization and beat lays testament to the artist’s charisma, a scarce musical intuition that doesn’t just rest with his iconic mid-fade or bomber leather jackets. We’re excited to hear Chris’s music age like fine wine—a musical output that just keeps getting better and better. Christian Paul is a ticking time bomb waiting to blow up on America’s fans and music charts.

Originally published by Euphoria ATX for In2une and AWAL/Kobalt