NENEH Cherry has returned to tumultuous times more engaged and punchier than ever.

The 80s and 90s hit maker, who combined protest and pop, has released her fifth studio album Broken Politics and will play Leeds Stylus on February 12.

Since announcing the new record, she has shared singles about the European refugee crisis (Kong) and the worldwide tragedy of gun violence (Shot Gun Shack).

Then she released two singles in advance of the album: Synchronised Devotion and Natural Skin Deep.

Mixmag magazine described the “bold and beautiful” Synchronised Devotion as emotionally naked, while NPR said Kong captures Cherry’s internal vibe of “impeccable cool wrapped in weary wisdom”.

Q Mag simply said: “Cherry’s creative rebirth has been defined by the sound of an artist getting angrier.”

“Cherry’s writing is filled with warmth and empathy” Uncut 8/10

Neneh move from Sweden to London at the age of 16 and became involved in the city’s punk and squatting scene.