Laura Mvula has already been tipped as one of 2013’s ‘ones to watch’, and with the release of her debut album Sing To The Moon on Monday it’s just about time to see how right those predictions are.
Appearing on those ones to watch lists alongside bands such as Palma Violets, Mvula has somewhat less of the grassroots recognition of her raucous contemporaries, who started attracting attention after fans posted videos online of their energetic early gigs. But critics clearly heard a different kind of energy in the cleanly produced EP, She, released in November.
Laura is clearly talented. Her classically trained voice is husky and perfected and her songs peppered with an old-fashioned beauty. Sing to the Moon is quirky, rhythmically interesting and nails its moments of big, bold gospel-esque celebration. There has even been what sounds like a whole orchestra and choir drafted in to embellish the pretty lyrics and playful vocals.
But with that said, the carefully polished production has also rubbed away any sense of personality. Even the confessional Father Father is gleaming and guarded and the record is as crisp and sterile as the hand claps on first single Green Garden. Who is Laura Mvula? Where has she come from? What’s her story? There are not many answers here.
That doesn’t stop the album being very listenable and while she may not have the quirky edginess of some of the others tipped for 2013 stardom, maybe her musicianship will shine and carry her through the year.
By Hannah Masters-Waage
Permalink: http://livemusic.fm/news/album-review-laura-mvula-sing-to-the-moon-0
Posted 28th February by vlacek
