Breathe review: openly gay K-pop singer Marshall Bang finally releases his first EP

This six-track EP feels like it has been a long time in the making. Marshall Bang, who rips out the vowels for his stage name MRSHLL, has been teasing it for what seems like forever. Meanwhile, he has been a featured singer on tracks for DJFritz and Ja Mezz, among others, while he got his own tracks together for MFBTY's Feelghood label.  During that time, Holland came from nowhere, proclaiming himself 'K-pop's first openly gay idol'. Bang has been talking openly about his sexuality in interviews since 2015, after arriving in South Korea from California to appear on MBC's The Next Big Thing.
Whether he is K-pop or an idol depends on your definition of both of those things and some people could argue about it until it's time for BTS to go into military service. What's not up for debate is the quality of Bang's voice and his technical ability. He has a vast range that loses nothing at either end: it's solid in the bass and seductive in the falsetto. He knows the importance of texture, adding a scruffy edge when the smoothness threatens to retreat into wallpaper.
Of the six songs on the EP, those that stand out are those that have been stripped back leaving room for Bang's voice, and a vocal partner (when he has one). Wanna Be, a duet with Sumin, is a treat: a deep, unevenly pulsing bass doubles as percussion. Faintly chiming synths are just about the only other musical addition, leaving plenty of room for Bang's breathless vocals to dive and soar, and Sumin's gossamer, barely-there high-pitched vocals to respond. Lydia Paek - another favourite of mine - duets on OK. This one's a slow jam, easy on the bass, with a light summer feel. Their voices mesh well together on the chorus and it ends with an unexpected and affecting gospel-style breakdown.
The Ja Mezz track Hold Me is another winner, although I feel like Bang's vocals are drowned out by the mix at times.
The EP is called Breathe - I am guessing after Lee Hi's song which Bang has covered, although it is not on the EP. (Lee Hi has a lyric-writing credit for the opening track Come Over.)
This EP is a good introduction to a very good singer. I expect more from him in the future.