Sivu - Bodies EP

Forgive my naughtiness for reviewing an EP. I couldn't resist the temptation. Sivu swept me off my feet and I can assure you, it will have the same delightful affect on you.
British based artist Sivu (James Page) has been teasing the UK with the single release of Better Man Than He and his EP Bodies. His sweet, quivering voice has been compared to the likes of Wild Beasts, Antony and the Johnsons and the new Gotye - if that's possible. His songs are sweeping and subtle all at once. His confessions throughout Bodies are portrayed through religious undertones. However, Sivu, as a self proclaimed non-believer, seems to believe in something bigger than himself - love and his seemingly inevitable failures with it.
The EP's title track Bodies is stirring and questions the purpose of partnership. He croons "We find flaws in each of our heartbeats". As the song builds his questions become deeper and the "current" he sings about whirls while his sniveling voice is accompanied by violins. The religious nuances are hinted at with the line "I watch the animals walking two by two" and segways over into God Speaks in Tongues.  
In God Speaks In Tongues he asks his lover to take him to "the great receiver" since he feels that he just isn't good enough. He sounds as though he is weeping during this track. As sad it is, God Speaks in Tongues still maintains the saccharine sounds the Sivu is slowly trademarking.

Sleep begins with a single, sparce strum of a guitar and Sivu's voice creeps in to sing a gorgeous, murmuring melody. He declares his shortcomings and sarcastic successes as if you are his diary.The track takes its time then bursts into a succulent, subdued rock ballad filled with all of the drama of a waning man.
Dimmer Down (live) is an intimate track as he asks you to "close your eyes as I confide in you." His range goes from a falsetto plea to a stern sentence in the matter of seconds.

Sivu's musical capabilities have attracted the likes of many. A village of incredible artists are raising and nurturing his young and timid music. Managed by Nick Cave, Sivu is touring with the buzz-worthiest little British groups; the smoldering London Grammar and Fryars.
Sivu, sharing the same producer as Alt-J, has a comparable sound to them. Thom from Alt-J even went so far as to 'remix' Sivu's first single Better Man Than He. I wouldn't use the term 'remix' to describe this track, but more along the lines of an 'alternate approach'. For other approaches, visit Sivu's soundcloud page.
Sivu's most recent single Over and Over is the emotional centerpiece of anything he has released thus far. This track is gut wrenching as Sivu illustrates the efforts he takes to make his relationship work; "We're just waiting for something real."
If Over and Over is the next step towards a full length album from Sivu, then what is ahead will be influential, breathtaking, and will hopefully have him working out his relationships on a more positive note.