Photo:
With a Brits Critics’ Choice nomination and a spot on the BBC Sound of 2013 list, soulful singer-songwriter Laura Mvula steps up to the test with the release of her debut album Sing to the Moon.
Opening track ‘Like the Morning Dew’ is nothing short of a breath of fresh air. A choral opening and proceeding chorus is comparable to a ray sunshine bursting through the clouds, in what looks set to be an innovative take on the gospel-soul genre.
There is certainly a sense of Winehouse in her voice, but with a real plethora of British female singers all producing quality music; there is a feeling that Mvula has the confidence and creativeness to deserve that comparison and sit alongside the likes of Paloma Faith and Emeli Sandé.
The only potential problem here is the 'dreaminess' of the album. Too many songs don’t seem to really go anywhere. Tracks like ‘Can’t Live In The World’ and ‘Is There Anybody Out There’ are shrouded in Disney-ness, full of ups and downs but maintaining that sense of underlying magic and hope with the orchestral string section. Perhaps working alongside television composer Steve Brown explains this feeling but in truth it is an album that is meant to elevate her to the heights many feel she deserves, as opposed to acting as a soundtrack.
Single ‘Green Garden’ can be quite deceiving when put up against the album as a whole. Full of handclaps and celestial jingles it is a real soul stomper that showcases the marvellous vocal talent of the 25-year old classically trained former music teacher.
When the album is upbeat, it sounds more risqué and this is where 25 year old Mvula is at her best. ‘That’s Alright’ seems to stick two fingers up to what has gone before on the album, gone is the feel of naivety and sweetness as the soultress declares "I will never be what you want/And that's all right/Cos my skin ain't light/And my body ain't tight.” The strong brass section matches her apparent new found sassiness but this is a rare moment with most of the album feeling like a calm, winding river.
In no way taking away from both her undoubted vocal talent and song compositions, her ability to blend elements of gospel, jazz, soul and classical music all together is a bold and brave move, especially for a debut album and for that you have to applaud Mvula. However it is a record that just doesn’t deliver quite often enough.
.jpg)
