Given that he recently told us he didn't feel he was expressing himself adequately enough in the group but that things ended "positively", we're inclined to say a little of both are at play here.
He proves his point sure enough on his first solo offering, though rather wisely he doesn't completely shy away from the past. Lead single 'New Age' is the starkest by contrast; a piano-led love song that wouldn't sound out of place on a Bruno Mars album until he puts his own trip-poppy twist on it for the chorus.
It's a recipe he seldom messes around with; the lion's share employing radio-ready pop choruses lined by bouncy, percussion-based verses not too dissimilar to Mattafix's global hit 'Big City Life'.
That said, there's enough variation here to avoid accusing him of resting on his laurels - the wobbly bassline in 'Storyline', the Eastern European-flecked 'Brotherhood of the Broken' and reggae beats on the Finley Quaye-assisted 'True to Yourself' not only keep things interesting, they tell the story of his musical roots (his dad is Massive Attack/Sugababes producer Cameron McVey and he's stepson of Neneh Cherry).
The result is a record designed to appeal to the masses, though its eagerness to do so won't necessarily be to everyone's taste.
Tracks to download: 'New Age', 'Riding Home', 'Brotherhood of the Broken', 'True To Yourself'
If you like this, you'll like: R.I.O, Mattafix
Listen to 'New Age' below:
