Sion Hill, the young singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer from Ireland, is said to have "as much soul as John Mayer" and be "as funky as Prince." Born Nathan Johnston in Mullingar, a small town in the Irish Midlands, he began writing his own songs at the age of twelve. Working with various musicians and bands led him to Hamburg and the Clouds Hill label, where he released his debut album, "Elephant." Recorded entirely live and produced by Johann Scheerer (Peter Doherty, Bosnian Rainbows), the album showcases the full spectrum of Sion Hill's influences, ranging from folk and country to soul, rock, and pop. For example, the second single, "Beaches," evokes summery feelings with funky guitars, organ, and a rebellious choir, while "Before You Go" tells a melancholic story of loss. The title track, however, is a completely different take, reviving the erotic disco-pop of the 70s. The closing track, "Circus," offers a philosophical-psychedelic finale à la Jeff Buckley. All in all, this results in a dozen timeless songs with clever lyrics. It's astonishing that the musician is only in his early twenties.