Released: 2 July 2021
Laura Mvula goes back to the ‘80s on her glorious third album ‘Pink Noise’
The LP shows off the Birmingham-born star;s sublime vocals against a sea of lush synths and beats encompassing the best of the classic decade.
Kicking off with the dreamy Safe Passage – the album’s lead single – the 10-track set segues through Prince and Michael Jackson references, with Phil Collins-esque drum arrangements and flairs of Chic and Nile Rodgers.
It was Overcome, her 2016 collaboration with Nile, that proved the star’s merit on dance floor tunes, and she steps things up on ‘Pink Noise’ for an album that’s as alive as it is liberated.
Singles Church Girl and Got Me are obvious standouts, but there’s plenty more greatness buried in this treasure trove of electronic gems.
Ballad Magical sends shivers, with shimmering synths and powerhouse vocals, while title track Pink Noise defies you “give in to the feeling” and let loose.
Album closer Before The Dawn returns to the dreamy soundscapes of Safe Passage, bringing Laura’s ‘80s chapter full circle.
‘Pink Noise’ comes five years after the singer’s second LP ‘The Dreaming Room’; an album that landed the singer MOBO and Mercury Prize nominations, as well as an Ivor Novello award, but saw her unceremoniously dropped by label RCA.
And while many would despair at such a setback, Laura brushes herself off an embraces a new beginning, coming through with her most accomplished album yet.
‘Pink Noise’ is out now.