Three years to the day since our last post, Music, Etc. has returned! First, a trio of posts dipping back to the past. The following was written in 2021 and published here for the first time.

When I was having a plethora of problems this spring, the release of the singles “Safe Passage” and “Church Girl” by Laura Mvula seemed like a bit of a godsend. Mvula strives to “find a way to safe passage” in that standout track and, in “Church Girl,” asks “how can you dance with the devil on your back?” I knew that I couldn’t but thought the music might help me give the devil the slip. 

The full Pink Noise album was released in July, with songs addressing love, politics, and hope. Influenced by the music of the ‘80s, the album highlights Mvula’s strength as a composer as well as her vocal talent and versatility. Album opener “Safe Passage” is followed by the explosive “Conditional.” “What Matters,” a duet with Simon Neil, uses synths to set a calm romantic mood. On the blistering “Remedy,” Mvula addresses deadly white supremacy, asking “how many more must die before the remedy?” 

Album closer “Before The Dawn” begins and ends with Fleet Foxes-style harmonies but sounds thoroughly ‘80s in the middle. Mvula thrillingly sings, “I been praying on the inside/for a sign on the outside/don’t doubt for too long/it’s the darkest before the dawn.” Her search for safe passage feels realized.