Laura Mvula: The Soulful Innovator of British Art Pop

Laura Mvula is a critically acclaimed British singer-songwriter and composer known for her lush, orchestral soul and art pop soundscapes. Hailing from Birmingham, she achieved a major breakthrough with her 2013 debut album Sing to the Moon, which was nominated for the prestigious Mercury Prize and reached the UK Top 10.

Early career

Born in 1986 in Birmingham, Laura Mvula studied composition at the Birmingham Conservatoire before initially pursuing a career in teaching. Her musical journey began in earnest when she joined the a cappella group Black Voices and later started writing and recording her own demos at home. These early recordings caught the attention of the manager for the band The Streets, leading to a publishing deal and, subsequently, a recording contract with RCA Records in 2012.

Breakthrough

Laura Mvula's breakthrough arrived swiftly in early 2013 with the release of her debut album, Sing to the Moon. Produced by Steve Brown and released on RCA, the album entered the UK Albums Chart at number nine and was certified Silver. Its success was propelled by the sophisticated singles "Green Garden" and "That's Alright," which showcased her unique blend of gospel, soul, and classical influences.

Key tracks

Green Garden — This vibrant, hand-clap-driven single became her signature hit, earning a MOBO Award and a Ivor Novello nomination for Best Song Musically and Lyrically.

Sing to the Moon — The lush, cinematic title track from her debut perfectly encapsulates her orchestral soul ambition and compositional depth.

Phenomenal Woman — Featured on her 2016 album The Dreaming Room, this powerful anthem highlights her growth in production and lyrical confidence, featuring a guest appearance from Nile Rodgers.

Safe Passage — The lead single from her 2021 album Pink Noise marked a bold shift into 1980s-inspired synth-pop, produced by Dann Hume.

Her second album, 2016's The Dreaming Room, won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Album and featured collaborations with Nile Rodgers and the London Symphony Orchestra. After parting ways with RCA, she independently released the acclaimed Pink Noise in 2021, a synth-heavy record that earned a Mercury Prize nomination, making her one of few artists nominated for both her first and third albums.

Fans of Laura Mvula's genre-blending approach may also enjoy the sophisticated soul of Lianne La Havas. Her intricate vocal arrangements and art pop sensibility find parallels in the work of Little Dragon. The bold, theatrical compositions of Esperanza Spalding share a similar innovative spirit. Listeners drawn to her British soul roots should explore Michael Kiwanuka.

Laura Mvula's distinctive catalog, from orchestral soul to vibrant synth-pop, receives regular airplay across our network of eclectic music stations. Her songs are featured on modern soul radio streams, art pop programs, and independent music radio stations that champion innovative songwriters.

You can discover the evolving sound of Laura Mvula by tuning into the radio stations featured on onairium.com, where her powerful vocals and inventive compositions are regularly in rotation for listeners worldwide.