Laura Mvula, born in Birmingham, is a classically trained vocalist with an orchestral pop style all her own. She stated her influences include Nina Simone, Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill and is often compared to other neo-soul artists, both those who shared her classical training, like Amy Winehouse, and those who don’t, like Jill Scott. Although her lyrics sometimes communicate an impersonal strain of melancholy, the music is anything but, dazzling with powerful, vibrant arrangements.