Albums to watch

Sing To The Moon

Laura Mvula

Sing To The Moon

Debut from the Birmingham soul singer-songwriter who was one of the contenders for the BBC Sound of 2013 title

ADM rating[?]

7.2

Label
RCA
UK Release date
04/03/2013
US Release date
12/03/2013
  1. 10.0 |   Independent on Sunday

    Drawing on anything from medieval plainsong to free jazz, she creates an extraordinary sensation of light, air and space
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  2. 9.0 |   BBC

    Whether as the fanfare arrival of a unique new voice or the peculiar indulgence of a future cult classic, this is an album that has to be heard to be believed
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  3. 8.5 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    A magnificent anthology of tranquil, touching and often poignant songs that act as hymns for a modern era
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  4. 8.5 |   The Quietus

    Mvula has sidestepped any threat of being cast as retro or anachronistic, and produced something that sounds distinctive and fresh-sounding
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  5. 8.0 |   The Irish Times

    Benefits from her canny way with everything from classical chants to gospel soaring to jazzy inflections. The girl can sing
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  6. 8.0 |   PopMatters

    Evoking memories of Nina Simone and Billie Holiday as well as contemporaries such as Erykah Badu, Janelle Monae, and inevitably Amy Winehouse
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  7. 8.0 |   The Guardian

    There are lots of things to recommend Sing to the Moon, not least that all its idiosyncracies of songwriting and arrangement and delivery feel meant
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  8. 8.0 |   Daily Telegraph

    One of the most striking and original debuts from any British artist in many a year
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  9. 8.0 |   Evening Standard

    She’s as fiercely intelligent as Laurie Anderson, as capable of harnessing the wind as Florence Welch and for all that she’s off-the-wall brave, she never forsakes accessibility
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  10. 8.0 |   The 405

    Her vocal talent may have already demonstrated irrefutable quality, but Sing To The Moon shows songwriting nous that is light-years ahead of the new class of 2013
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  11. 7.4 |   Pitchfork

    Mvula's debut is filled with visceral and musical beauty
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  12. 7.0 |   Spin

    Her elegant arrangements remain taut and full of energy
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  13. 7.0 |   Rolling Stone

    Fuses jazzy melodics, pop balladry, orchestral flourishes and pleading gospel to astonishing effect
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  14. 7.0 |   Clash

    Packing a brassy punch, the tracks still manage to twinkle elegantly, rich in harmony with hymnal touches
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  15. 7.0 |   All Music

    Although it's more admirable than it is enjoyable, Sing to the Moon marks the arrival of a unique and major talent
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  16. 7.0 |   DIY

    When Mvula is at her peak on this record there’s a vibrancy, and a beautiful eccentricity that mark her out as an artist akin to Jessie Ware, Janelle Monae and Solange
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  17. 6.0 |   Uncut

    It sounds celestial, though Mvula's a touch stern. Print edition only

  18. 6.0 |   The Observer

    After a few plays, the eccentricity of Mvula's elevator pitch recedes somewhat. And you are left wondering hopefully whether her Nina Simone album, one arranged by Björk, is still ahead of her
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  19. 6.0 |   Q

    50 sometimes enthralling minutes. Print edition only

  20. 5.0 |   NME

    She'll likely worm her way into plenty of dining rooms with this album, but not into anyone's hearts
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  21. 5.0 |   musicOMH

    While Mvula has a great voice and is a skilled musician, she plays it far too safe
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  22. 4.0 |   The Independent

    While Laura Mvula deserves credit for blending her Caribbean heritage with her classical training, Sing to the Moon is far from the masterpiece some claim
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Laura Mvula: Sing To The Moon

  • Download full album for just £6.99
  • 1. Like the Morning Dew £0.99
  • 2. Make Me Lovely £0.99
  • 3. Green Garden £0.99
  • 4. Can't Live with the World £0.99
  • 5. Is There Anybody Out There? £0.99
  • 6. Father Father £0.99
  • 7. That's Alright £0.99
  • 8. She £0.99
  • 9. I Don't Know What the Weather Will Be £0.99
  • 10. Sing to the Moon £0.99
  • 11. Flying Without You £0.99
  • 12. Diamonds £0.99
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