Album review: Laura Mvula's 'Sing To The Moon'

Billie Holiday, Nina Simone and Amy Winehouse are among the lofty comparisons that have so far been made to Birmingham singer Laura Mvula. She recently insisted that "with utmost respect" she ignores such comments, but acknowledges as a newcomer the need for musical points of reference. 

A likeness to the greats arose when Mvula released 'She' last year, a slice of minimalist soul backed by a cooing choir and twinkling xylophone that nods to Billie and Nina as well as her personal fondness for choral music. Like them, her voice rarely reaches belter mode, instead remaining quietly composed yet still utterly compelling. That said, the ease of which she conquers the stirring strings on opener 'Like The Morning Dew' proves there's plenty of power in her.