If you grew up in the early 80's listening to Yazoo, Depeche Mode, Human League and Erasure, there is a lot here to endear you to DARREN's CD. The problem is outside of listeners with a nostalgia for long-matured teenage angst, it is difficult to see who his audience will be in the audioscape of modern pop radio. Don't get me wrong, the music is fun, sophisticated in parts and memorable to a degree. Regretfully, it's lyrics are also a tad bit cliched and betrays a naive sensibility, urgently fitting the stereotype of an adolescent. On a second spin, adult listeners may have outgrown its earnestness.

No, don’t fret your pretty little head. It’s not another Will Young song about his torturous relationships with the man in the mirror. For a debut release this is quite simply superb. It does sound a bit like the sort of stuff that Darren’s namesake, Darren Hayes might present to the world but mimicking accomplished performers is surely flattery by impersonation. Darren’s voice is polished to perfection and sits so well on the water of light disco beats and funky rhythms that lingers underneath the vocals- an undercurrent bringing things to the surface. Sexuality smoulders as passion escapes through vapours as Darren makes his first appearance on the world stage and manages, somehow, to steal the show from more seasoned performers. This album is a Radio 2 favourite in the making and it is a joy to listen to a man singing who doesn’t think he has to impersonate James Blunt and use his voice to break glass. There’s the faintest whiff of boy-band material on the album but that is no bad thing as, judging from his website photo, Darren will be as much of a hit with the chicks as he is with the chaps. The rawness of Darren’s emotional expressions is touching, refreshing and stunning from a performer so young, so fragile, so new and so unknown. This album is not so much a message announcing arrival as a fence post stabbed into the sodden earth below. It is Darren’s mark upon Darren’s territory. Welcome to the world according to Darren. Welcome to beautiful music played to perfection and listed to be everyone. Bravo, Darren, Bravo.

With an impressive, confident debut disc full of surprises, producer and singer-songwriter Darren proves that anything is possible-- even transporting us back to a better time with the simple synth-pop sound of the early to mid-'90s. Combining the do--it-yourself boyband bravado of Soul Decision and the techno artistry of Kenna with sexy, unshowy vocals, this London-born New Yorker's experiments pay off. From the ruthless hook of lead single "The Limit" to the infectious immediacy of "Spread the Love" to the cigarette lighter-swaying sweetness of "You Were Loved," Anything Is Possible is impossible to resist.

Darren incorporates his diverse experiences and expertise into his modern musical mixes. His songs are a blend of American pop and British electronica with moods that range from danceable to serious with some experimentation. Darren sings his sharp, poetic lyrics with a voice that is passionate and polished. Anything Is Possible is Darren's eclectic, eleven-track debut. The CD opens strong with 'The Limit'. A song that combines a funky groove with dark reflections on the harshness of love. The electronic textures are mesmerizing and the varied vocal inflections from silky smooth to enhanced at the hook are inventive. 'Out of the Rain' is another innovative track starting with a sound like raindrops as shady imagery is slowly replace by words of encouragement. Darren utilizes a variety of electronic tempos and tones to augment the song. 'Patch Me Up' flows on electronic instrumentation combined with Darren's silky vocals and more good use of varied beats and effects. Darren proves that Anything Is Possible with his impressive freshman release!