Even as an homage to Chet Baker, Chet Faker is a terrible stage name. But try to look past the moniker of Australian musician Nicholas Murphy. And past his cover of No Diggity, which catapulted him to sort-of-fame last year when it showed up advertising beer during the Super Bowl. Not because it was terrible - but because there are better gems on his debut album, Built on Glass.
You could pin all sorts of labels to Faker - electronica, down-tempo, loungey - but his soul man-feel, teamed with the calmer side of dance music, is a sweet, subtle blend; Part James Blake, part Bon Iver, part R&B sex god.
Built on Glass is split in two, literally. Midway through, an interlude crackles, "That was the other side of the record. Now relax still more and drift a little deeper as you listen."
The first side is packed with smooth, rolling vocals and silky beats. Talk is Cheap's velvety mood is a song you'll be sure you've heard before. Meanwhile, Gold has the 24-year-old delivering the mature type of R&B that's most welcome in a world of throwaway attempts.
Across the album break, side two is louder, there are more hard edges and a sense of the adventurous. On Cigarettes & Loneliness, the bearded singer multiplies vocals, adds instruments and nods to Radiohead. But throughout, the sultry soul remains.
