Luca Sestak - Right or Wrong (2020) [Hi-Res]

25 year German singer/songwriter Luca Sestak has already proved his capabilities as jazz pianist and composer over the course of two independent studio albums. However, with his profile - both online and as a live performer - rapidly on the rise, Sony Music wisely snapped him up and worked with him as he built towards his third studio album, his label debut Right or Wrong.

Luca has openly spoken about the influence Jamie Cullum has had on his sound, and it is little surprise that Right or Wrong has strong echoes of the pop-jazz sound throughout. However, this is far from Jamie Cullum #2. Luca may have leaned on the sound as a springboard in his early career, but there is clearly a more mainstream and direct pop sound also influencing his creativity, for Right or Wrong could quite easily also be filed alongside Shawn Mendes or even Charlie Puth.

From the opening bars of If You Don't Play it is clear that Sony Music made a wise decision signing the very photogenic, smooth voiced soulful singer. With a real bounce in his vocal presence and a playfulness to his compositions, there is little doubt that he is truly deserving of mainstream success.

While the more radio directed Dress of Innocence and title track Right or Wrong will perhaps be the most likely to launch him to international superstardom, the twists of Castles of Lies and Justin Timberlake-driven Ice Cold Blue Eyes add unexpected dimensions to the record. However, it is lush Fairy Lights that steals the show.

Leading up to the release of Right or Wrong his reputation may have built expectations of a certain sound for his release. Right or Wrong does deliver on these, but it delivers a lot more too.