Normally I keep strictly to Kiwi music by Kiwi musicians, but Josh Tatofi is a Samoan/Tongan lad, born in Hawaii, so he’s pretty much sorted anyway. Plus I HAVE TO review this voice.

New single Looking For Love is what one would describe as timeless. It could sit in any generation and be at home. The moment that enormous tenor erupts from his mouth I was enraptured with it. Soul, blues, reggae, pop, oh man, this is a voice that can straddle them all. Absolutely massive voice, and a massive talent.

This is a beautiful song, led in by the vocal and a warm acoustic guitar strum. Perfect Pacific music. A lilting melody floats along as Josh sings his lines. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end when I get to hear talent of this magnitude. This is Somewhere Over The Rainbow level of Pacifica.

The video is uncluttered and nicely set. The lighting suits the tempo and lyrical content, and it’s not trying to be more than it needs to be. Pop onto YouTube for a look, alongside the 150,000+ who already have.

The studio work is clearly done by people who know their way around a desk. Josh recorded and co-produced with Tyler Cain at Nashville, Tennessee’s Bold Studios. The mix went to Alabama’s Noble Steed Studios in legendary Muscle Shoals, courtesy of Craig Alvin Smith. The mastering was done by Adam Grover at equally legendary Sterling Sound Studio, back across in Nashville. The track does sit in the Country lexicon, but we have a definite South Pacific tilt to the entire thing.

The EPK doesn’t contain any info on the tale behind the lyrics, but they are poignant for all of us at some time in our lives. Set to that gorgeous melody carried into the stratosphere by the vocal, and sitting atop a warm and vibrant composition, this single is a number one in waiting. This can go on the commercial pop channels, the island channels, Mai and George even.

If Josh Tatofi is not in your sphere yet, get onto it. This song will send you wherever you want to go, and you’ll go there dreamy-eyed and swaying. I can’t say enough about this one. Absolute monster hit on the way. Plus you can check him out here in Aotearoa, at Trusts Arena, Auckland on Saturday 18th April.