Laura Mvula: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Listen to Laura Mvula's terrific full-length debut, Sing to the Moon, and you'll hear soulful pop music in Technicolor. The U.K. singer's sonic ambition is boundless: Her intricately layered songs straddle genres, locations and eras in ways that sound entirely original.

Squeezing that sound behind Bob Boilen's desk is no tiny task, as she acknowledges partway through this three-song set in the NPR Music offices. Mvula faces the challenge by seizing an opportunity to showcase her most intimate material; with the help of a small string section, she forgoes some of her flashier songs ("Like the Morning Dew," "Green Garden") in favor of Sing to the Moon's most brooding ballads.

The result shines a spotlight squarely on Mvula's lovely voice and elegant songwriting — both of which are sturdy enough to withstand being stripped of accoutrements. Soak up this performance, then treat yourself to Sing to the Moon if you haven't already. It's one of the best debut albums in a year full of great ones. --STEPHEN THOMPSON

SET LIST

"Father, Father"
"Diamonds"
"She"

CREDITS

Producer: Bob Boilen
Editor: Gabriella Garcia-Pardo
Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait
Videographers: Denise DeBelius, Gabriella Garcia-Pardo, Marie McGrory

[johnpabros-clark]

Father Father is a profoundly beautiful song. The sustaining violin under her sweet voice and words choked me up a bit, like a sorrow falling out on a slow trailing tear. What a brilliant musician.

[wellness]

NPR Music Tiny Desk PLEASE bring Laura Mvula back again! I've been following her for awhile. She is a University fave for the cultured and international students.

[djpete]

You apologise for not playing the upbeat stuff. I have been coming back to this masterpiece nonstop for ten years. You may not realise this but you have created ethereal music here. I am writing this through goosebumps that I have had now for the past 30 minutes as I have this on repeat. Amazing.

[lostinjks]

As soon as I heard her voice I started tearing up. Her voice is the sound of passion and melancholy

[yyyannuuu]

I'm hearing Sade and Nina in her voice. She has magnificent tone.

[rasekgantshomatsabu]

Mvula is Rain in Zulu and Xhosa and Laura makes it rain music.Mzansi (South Africa) is proud .

[alexxdaye]

I’ve been following Ms. Laura Mvula for YEARS! She is a true treasure❤ I love seeing these comments below! I feel the same way!🙏🏾💕🙏🏾

[enriqueali]

She breaks my heart in places I didn't even know existed....

[madelinecbarnes]

she is so breathtaking. i'm so glad i found her music this past year; i'm in love.

[kronk]

"I usually write in 6 part that is a blessed statement to hear these #LovingHerEvenMoreNow

[soundseeker]

She makes me so happy, yet makes me want to cry at the same time! :-S
Such a beautiful, tender and sincere performance.
It baffles me how she has 35k views while Adelle has 1.5M
This is as good as, if not better than anything Adelle has done.

[Jwall]

The Father Father song opened my eyes. I will never give up on our black women. Because that song is trying to tell us something.

[lesliereese]

That song "Father, Father" breaks me up its so beautiful.

[JasOrdinaire]

This woman's music touches me deeply.

[annalaw]

LAURA WHAT AN AMAZING VOICE GOD HAS GIFTED YOU WITH. SUCH RANGE/DEPTH, YOU SPEAK LYRICS OF SUBSTANCE, IN A CLASSY, ELEGANT, SOULFUL MANNER! I FEEL YOUR MUSIC IN MY YOU FOR SHARING YOUR BEAUTIFUL, RAW, LOVELY

[DateTwoRelate]

Someone mentioned comparisons to Nina Simone and Sade. I'll add early Roberta Flack (listen to 'Sunday & Sister Jones') and throw in some Nancy Wilson, "Mingus"-era Joni Mitchell and Laura Nyro... She's the first Queen of Modern Jazz Lieder. So amazing. So original without even trying!

[georgebernard]

A microphone and a keyboard, true musician.

[rat]

She's is the best her music is very inspiring, it's up lifting and get u threw the hard times.

[theboycalledwzrd]

2021, and i'm only hearing her now. Beautiful!

[jeannelw]

She is as organic as it gets had the absolute pleasure of seeing her live she is beyond amazing! I literally cry listening to her its too pure lol!!