8/10

Throughout these last few months, LA-based singer-songwriter Sam Caldwell has looked to establish himself as one of the more emotionally-charged names on the rise. His previously unveiled efforts 'feeding the wound', 'dreams between', and 'torri and jackson' have all added this rich and shimmering texture to his direction, building this beautifully alluring repertoire in the process. And with the buzz surrounding him continuing to build, he is back once again to deliver his emotive debut album 'wanderlust', a record that cements his dynamic legacy to date.

Much like what his previous offerings led us with, 'wanderlust' has this brilliantly evocative texture to it. But while his recent material set him up as a more sombre addition to the new music scene, tracks like 'your words' showcase a far brighter and innovative artist at the helm. Merging a heady mix of riveting pop-rock anthems and more tender serenades gives his first full-length an incredibly diverse appeal as it plays, one that will certainly serve him well in the years ahead as well.

While his career may still be in its infancy right now, 'wanderlust' shows he is brimming with plenty of fresh and alluring ideas just waiting to be unearthed. Oozing with this raw passion from beginning to end, Sam Caldwell introduces himself to the wider world with some wonderfully infectious delights here.