Any qualms about the extended wait for the set are immediately quashed by opening number 'Climb On Board'; the start of his journey flitting between tyre-burning jungle beats and airy synths in seconds. It's followed by chart-bothering cuts 'Earthquake' and 'Last Time', which best showcase his flair for producing boombastic electronic-laced ditties with crowd-rousing choruses.
However, it's on 'Treatment' where the true sense of Electronic Earth takes hold. Echoes of Daft Punk-inspired bass drifts underneath earthy beats and jubilant guitar riffs that impressively burst into a Coldplay-styled chorus. Labrinth's duality between on-trend electronics and traditional musicianship continues on 'Beneath Your Beautiful', a romcom-ready duet with Emeli Sandé that is surely destined for a Richard Curtis flick.
Even his boss's penchant for a cover is satiated with his take on 'Express Yourself', where the star talks candidly about his impending fame ("I don't make the papers, I'm far from JLS/ Ain't got the X Factor, I'm not what they expect"). Labrinth's lyrics are far from groundbreaking, but that doesn't make his music any less compelling. Ironically, the one artist Cowell has on his label who has the X Factor in abundance has stepped nowhere near one of his singing contests.
Tracks to download: 'Earthquake', 'Last Time', 'Treatment', 'Beneath Your Beautiful'
If you like this, you'll like: Usher, Tinie Tempah, Chris Brown
Watch the music video for Labrinth's 'Last Time' below:
