Thursday 3 November 2011

Lianne La Havas - No Room for Doubt feat. Willy Mason


From the off, what really impresses is Havas's silky, sumptuous vocal - soft, tender and with a slightly exaggerated vibrato, it's close to sonic perfection. 

It's a shame then that the song features Willy Mason.  His inclusion is unnecessary and weakens the overall effect - listen to the live version taken from Jools Holland instead (see below).  It remains a beautiful song however: simple guitar accompaniment the only addition to Havas's direct lyrics.  Though perhaps a touch repetitive through the repeated refrain "We all make mistakes...", the dreamlike quality of this lullaby transports you into a quiet, private haven.

No Room for Doubt features on Havas's debut EP 'Lost & Found' - available now on iTunes and on Spotify.  The five song collection also includes a stunning cover of Everything Everything's Final Form where she can finally let loose vocallyHer soul sound is sublime: surely the next Corinne Bailey Rae.

4/5