6/10

Over the years, frontman, songwriter and producer Mikky Ekko has painted himself as a man of many faces. Showing a proficiency for almost every genre going, which have led to numerous collaborations with a variety of other artists in recent years, the artist now follows up his critically-acclaimed 2015 debut album 'Time' with his equally eclectic sophomore full-length 'Fame', a record that sees him move even further into the realms of alt-pop than ever before.

Although the last three years have hardly been quiet for Mikky Ekko. He has spent his time releasing a flurry of new singles and EPs, most recently 'Advance Copy', a collection of what we could expect on this new LP. And while that small collection gave us an inkling of his intentions this time around, it is clear that he has looked to become more well-defined and rounded songwriter on his latest release. Blending an uplifting and confident pop production with a diverse range of eccentricities, 'Fame' seems to sit in that happy medium of being an original and identifiable piece of work without branching too far into an experimental guise.

It may have its ups and downs, but 'Fame' still manages to pack a punch when it needs to. Ekko's soaring voice remains the heart of his music and direction, and manages to carry the frontman throughout the new record with a swagger and confidence, even if it sometimes is the best part of this new collection.