If London/L.A.-based Sinead Harnett’s 2019 debut, Lessons in Love, was about figuring things out and learning to love oneself, Ready Is Always Too Late finds her furthering and celebrating that growth. Trading the samples and beats of her debut for live instrumentation and arrangements that recall ‘90s icons like Lauryn Hill, the Thai-Irish R&B singer’s second record also marks a shift toward an earthier, more sophisticated and deeply soulful sound, with her voice—more resonant and smooth than ever—following suit. That’s apparent from the start with the lush title track, which quivers with anticipation as Harnett confronts a lover hesitant to embark on the next step in their relationship. High-profile collabs abound, as she teams up with EARTHGANG for the softly joyful “Take Me Away” and flexes her vocal prowess alongside Lucky Daye on “Anymore”. And as the album winds down with the confident “Distraction”, Harnett clarifies, in seductive tones, that she’s not, in fact, an auxiliary presence—she’s the mesmerising focal point.