Photo: Chris White

It’s hard to believe it’s been more than a year since I first discovered the amazingly talented artist – for whom I featured here shortly thereafter – Brandyn Burnette. After experiencing great success with his 2015 release, Made of Dreams, Burnette returns with yet another killer EP called State I’m In. Burnette has quickly emerged to the forefront of today’s music scene, earning feature stories in publications such as The Huffington Post and having his audition on Season 15 of American Idol be one of the most talked about of the season.

If you need a refresher, here’s a little background. According to his Facebook bio, Burnette is a self-taught, third generation musician with a background just as unique as the music he makes. Burnette’s father, O’Bryan, penned the theme song to Soul Train and Burnette’s great uncle was apart of the first ska/reggae group, The Folkes Brothers. According to his bio, Burnette grew up with six siblings and later went to NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts on full scholarship until he decided to leave and travel. It was while traveling that Burnette was discovered by a Swedish publisher and later signed by Kara Dioguardi, famous singer-songwriter and Executive VP of Talent Development at Warner Bros. Records, whose tunes have garnered more than 160 million sales worldwide. Burnette has seen some success himself, earning his first Top 40 hit with Jake Miller’s “First Flight Home” in 2014 as well as notable songs on hit duo MKTO’s album and a No. 1 record with Spanish band AURYN.

I didn’t think Burnette could top Made of Dreams but, boy, was I wrong. State I’m In features eight tracks that will speak to your soul. Each track takes on a unique vibe, whether it be the velvety smooth pop-esque tune “Underneath” or the rhythm infused “Closer” – my favorite of them all. Burnette has worked relentlessly to share his incredible talents with the world and it’s paying off. Quite honestly, this is the best album I’ve heard this year!

You can listen to each track off the EP below. Like what ya hear? You can click the shopping cart icon below to buy the album on iTunes or you can get it on Amazon or Google Play.