Rationale - Rationale

The Guardian 60

(Warner Bros)

The strength of Zimbabwe-born, London-based artist Rationale – real name Tinashe Fazakerley – lies in his charismatic, soulfully elegant baritone voice. The best moments of this album find him harnessing that majestic voice. His tremulous intonations on closing track Somewhere to Belong bathe the song in an engulfing richness, while tracks such as the spiritually suffused Fuel to the Fire and Prodigal Son boast a gorgeous ambition reminiscent of Justin Timberlake’s The 20/20 Experience. It’s not a pervasive feeling though, with several tracks forgettably formulaic. Having mastered the vocals, Rationale still needs to work on consistency in his songwriting.