By her own account, Laura Mvula's personal struggles had the potential to permanently derail her burgeoning career. Thankfully, the talented Brit was wise enough to take a break and focus on herself. Music became therapy, prompting a year-long process of writing and recording that led to her soon-to-be released sophomore project, The Dreaming Room. She's embracing a new sound and creative direction, and so far we've been loving her musical catharsis in the form of an empowering anthem ("Overcome"), a poignant ennoblement ("People") and a funky tribute to womanhood ("Phenomenal Woman").
No doubt, her complex arrangements and poetic stanzas have got us hooked. But, it's her visuals that have left us truly mesmerized. From the bold, dramatic album art to the gorgeous, spellbinding video for "Overcome," Ms. Mvula is taking risks and slaying us in the process. So trust us when we say that her latest feature, the visual accompaniment for "Phenomenal Woman," might just be her best yet.
Director Alex Southam who lensed "Overcome" is once again at the helm, engaging us with a narrative built around African imagery and dance. This time, however, the screen is awash in vivid hues as we are literally transported to Africa where the colorful Bo-Kaap region of Cape Town serves as the perfect backdrop for the vibrant visuals. Flawlessly styled from beginning to end (courtesy of the fabulous Alex Noble), Laura is positively breathtaking as she channels the regal fierceness of African queens past, present and future. Spirited choreography, stylish ladies, dapper dandies and luxe fabrics serve as supporting cast for this lively celebration.
If you need a reason to smile (or sing, or dance), stop what you're doing and watch this clip now! Then support the phenomenal Laura Mvula by pre-ordering your copy of The Dreaming Room today on iTunes. Her UK tour kicks off on May 14th, so check her website for ticket info and follow her on Twitter and Instagram for updates.
