It’s no surprise that BANNERS’ lone star, Mike Nelson, was a former choirboy. The gentle pop songs that pack the UK singer's first EP are the definition of uplifting. He’s breathy and lithe on the galloping “Shine a Light,” and, on the gorgeous opener, his voice aches across lines like “If your world falls apart/I’d start a riot,” echoing Jeff Buckley and Chris Martin in equal measure. Even when Nelson takes a turn for minor-key melodies, his voice belies a persistent hope, like a candle that just won’t go out.