Reviewed by Andy Shaw

This debut three-track EP from Bless The King came about as a musical experiment by three ordinands at Trinity College in Bristol. The Trinity College community plays a central role in providing the inspiration and the focus for producing this record, created during their final year of study as a parting gift to the community. Dave Hendra has already achieved some success through his work with electronic dance duo Eikon and is joined in Bless The King by Joel Menine and Denis Adide. Making use of the Eikon connection, Dave Pilcher was drafted in to add his tight production to the project. Whilst marketed as an EP, this almost feels like a single with opener "Come Lord" the standout and the subsequent two tracks feeling more like b-sides, more experimental and less immediate in their impact. Starting with just simple resonant synth chords ringing out under soulful vocals, "Come Lord" finds its groove with some funk-inspired bass lines and syncopated guitar and drum rhythms. There is a real conviction behind the lyrics calling God to "build your Kingdom here" and the vocals fit perfectly with the power of the message they are delivering. The following track explores spoken word with the music forming a canvas on which the poetry paints a picture. The instrumentation creates a fragile soundscape providing a depth to the track without distracting from the focus on the words. "Bless The Lord" closes the EP, starting with solitary guitar chords ringing out before the drums and plucked guitar lines join in. The vocals are strong as ever but this track is a bit one dimensional, not really taking the listener anywhere new or different.

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