Laura Mvula – Sing to the Moon

Brit Award performer and all round trendy lady Laura Mvula releases her album, Sing to the Moon, on 4^th March. With recommendations coming from all areas including a massive BBC Radio 6 Music shout out, Mvula is steadily becoming a name of interest in the new music world. Her debut gig sold out in just two days, and she has recently been asked to support Jessie Ware and Paloma Faith on their respective tours. These are the introductory signs of a possible success story.

Sing to the Moon combines old school orchestral soul, laced with a Caribbean edge and struck with an urban synth. A bit of a mismatch, you ask? Maybe. The artist has her feet firmly planted in a background of composition, which is clear in the different layers of her music. When you get over the original busy nature of the much played Green Garden, you can try and work out the multi-faceted musical input behind this clever track, which in itself becomes entertaining. In theory, this track in particular has everything that could make a really great song. Its lyrics are repetitive enough to be catchy, Laura’s voice is deep and striking, and the melody is snappy and fresh. Keep listening and the memorable glockenspiel ditty will echo in your footsteps for the next 24 hours – but there is something missing. The entire album stays at the same level throughout. Green Garden is good, but not killer because it remains sweet background music.

But what is really to be credited here is that Mvula’s tracks sound new. The combination of urban, soul and Caribbean vibes are an odd combination that is rarely heard in harmony. The synthesised voice is not particularly attractive or necessary but if this is the quality and the dynamism that is coming out of new British music today, then it’s best to be on board.

Verdict: •••

Rosie Hillsdon

Sing to the Moon is released on to 4th March 2013. For further information about Laura Mvula and future events visit here.