Following a buzz-generating appearance on Later... and 2011 EP Lost And Found, Lianne La Havas' potential looks set to be realised in this year's post-Adele world. The 22 year-old Londoner possesses a voice so soulful, sweet and sultry that you might be enchanted if she sang cast-off balladry from any old pop chanteuse; luck would have it though, that La Havas is a dab hand at the songwriting too. Goody!

She leads this second EP with the ear-catching 'Forget', a retort to an ex-lover in the 'fuck you' mode rather than the 'I'm going to die without you' alternative. Its chugging guitars and semi-futuristic sheen is made all the more delicious when La Havas coolly declares that "[she's] the person tearing you apart". It's so good the EP is bookended with a fidgety reworking featuring manipulated vocals a la James Blake. As a single, it is proof enough that she has the voice to carry an album, while jazzy live cut 'Au Cinema' is a sure sign we'll all be flocking to her live shows too. Piano-led demo 'Gone', featuring the EP's best vocal, and the slight but sweet 'Same As Me' round out this very promising second effort.

You might also like...