Start with the voice, a compelling croon which conjures chills up and down the spine while commanding your attention. Though only 24 years of age, Adam Naas is the possessor of a phenomenal "soul man" voice which he's been showcasing since his first single, the elegiac "Fading Away." The Frenchman's style – a somberly romantic, contemporary dark soul that never stoops to posturing or excessive effects – makes a powerful impression. Adam Naas bares his soul simply, discreetly and fearlessly. Each line of his lyrics delves deeply into the most anguished and intense of feelings, displaying a tremendous capacity for honesty. With just a few nostalgic and compelling, melancholic and radiant songs, he has defined his art: a personal, intimate, startlingly sincere soul-pop. A self-taught artist, he felt the music before he analyzed it. When he first heard "A Change Is Gonna Come" – Sam Cooke's breathtaking 1964 anthem to civil rights – it was a revelation. This is reflected in his debut EP from Virgin/Mercury, which ranges from upbeat numbers like the exhilarating "Downtown" to a gospel invocation (the very personal "You Should Know"). His deep, sensual voice caresses the skin, while his world is a black hole of sensations and sentiments, as attractive as they are disturbing.