Nell Mescal doesn’t need Paul’s stardust, Blue Lab Beats are irresistible – the week’s best albums

• The elephant in the room is Nell Mescal’s surname. She released her first single in 2020, having started it long before older brother Paul’s Normal People stardom (and before the siblings posted a cover duet online in lockdown). Nepo baby accusations cut deep for the 20-year-old Irish singer-songwriter: “It’s sometimes difficult to take.” She needn’t worry – her debut EP, showcasing laid-bare lyrics and technical skill, undeniably warrants recognition independently.