SAPPHIRE is a London-based singer songwriter who has featured a couple of times already on this blog. She first came to our attention in September with the release of single corvette. That was quickly followed with a share of her track crisis. Both feature on her new EP test drive, which is out now.

By Graeme Smith

Test drive sees SAPPHIRE take on the ugly side of the Internet. Having been releasing music online since the age of seven, she was quite fortunate to only encounter it last year, and it was enough catalyst for this new collection of five tracks which throws shade on all her haters.

From the single releases, we already knew the energy and emotion SAPPHIRE brings to her music, and this EP gives us a range of flavours. It starts with wasting my time. It’s a high-energy opener with a bouncing beat that will instantly have you moving. The star of the show is SAPPHIRE’s expressive vocals. They tell a story of unrequited love tempered by a message of self-worth, giving a fresh twist the time-worn tale.

Dangerously softens things a little, giving us an open and vulnerable side to SAPPHIRE’s sound. Its soaring chorus will have you feeling right along. The aforementioned crisis sits at the heart of the EP and is a dance highlight. Its beat is relentless while the vocals are utterly compelling.

Oxygen slows things down, introspectively reflecting on control mistaken for love. The vocals take on a pleading quality before the track builds to a cathartic release. Corvette closes the EP with a track that’s powerful in its minimalism. Plenty of space is given to its storytelling lyrics before we arrive at a heart-rendering arrangement that rounds things off nicely.

I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. SAPPHIRE should be a name on everyone’s lips. I was already convinced, but this EP seals the deal. If you like pop, then test drive is a must listen. You can check it out below.