Rationale @ King Tut's, 20 Jan

Tinashe Fazakerley adopted the Rationale alias in 2015, previously performing under the name Tinashe. Since then, critical acclaim has been arriving in the bucket-load, with mentions from both Pharrell and Elton John. 

Tonight, in a packed King Tut's, Rationale’s band dazzles from the off with their powerful sound. The show really gets going during hit track Something for Nothing, where the artist steals the stage with his unique voice. Throughout he demonstrates his multi-instrumental talents, though at times perhaps veering from greatness towards slightly more generic sounding pop. New track Reciprocate, for example, lacks some of the funkier percussion and bass lines found in older material.

However, Fazakerley impressively works the crowd with entertaining dance moves and a confident, relaxed performance. Even if some of the tunes teeter into stadium-anthem territory, it is hard not to fall in love with his enormous grin and clear delight in performing. Fast Lane, from the Fuel To The Fire EP, and Vessels, with its utterly stunning vocal crescendo, are both outstanding. Prodigal Son also delivers well, with a dominating drum beat drawing strong reaction from the Tut's crowd.