Laura Marling - Song for our Daughter - 9/10

There can be no doubt that Laura Marling is both a hugely talented and prolific artist. Over the six albums she has released to date, the 30 year old singer songwriter has developed her craft of creating haunting and delicate ballads.

Her seventh release, ’Song for our Daughter’, was brought forward in response to the lockdown imposed in response to the Corona Virus with Marling commenting “I saw no reason to hold back on something that, at the very least, might entertain, and at its best, provide some sense of union”. She further explained that these songs are a collection inspired by an imaginary daughter and the advice and guidance she would give her.

It is a breathtaking collection of songs and arguably her second masterpiece with the quality and breadth standing up to her first – the 2010 record ‘I Speak Because I Can’. All of Marling’s releases to date have been strong examples of her song writing and grasp of melody but these two records are truly her finest moments.

Opener ‘Alexandra’ lays out the manifesto for the album with a rolling acoustic guitar the soundtrack to a song that lyrically pays tribute to Leonard Cohen’s ‘Suzanne’ with lines such as “Alexandra had no fears, lived out in the woods, she’d tell you what you’re doing wrong if she thinks she’ll be understood”. Lead single ‘Held Down’ is one of Marling’s finest songs to date with the combination of her despairing lead vocal and the angelic rising backing vocals creating a truly stunning atmosphere.

Marling has clearly been influenced by the great and good of singer songwriters and it is when her songs wear these influences proudly that gives this record some of its strongest moments. ‘Graceland’ era Paul Simon rhythms power along the highly enjoyable ‘Strange Girl’. The stirring Leonard Cohen-esque marriage of gently plucked guitar and poetic lyrics can be found on the sumptuous ballad ‘Fortune’. Perhaps the clearest influence on Marling’s songwriting here is the work of Joni Mitchell. Never has Marling sounded more in debt to Mitchell than she does on the piano ballad ‘Blow by Blow’ and yet, although the influence is clear, Marling cleverly weaves it in to  her own style and creates something beautiful and original.

Title track ‘Song for our Daughter’ is a message of guidance and warning to an imaginary daughter. “Lately I’ve been thinking of our daughter growing old and all of the bullshit she may be told” Marling sings wearily. It is a well written song that highlights the struggles Marling herself has encountered and so desperately does not wish to see her own daughter experience.

‘The End of the Affair’ is so well composed that, upon its conclusion, it is hard to reason why this was not chosen as the album closer. That feeling remains until you hear the actual closing track, ‘For You’, which redeploys the harmonious backing vocals with a stunning guitar and accordion solo to create a melodic and pleasing conclusion.

Although the majority of the lyrical content here fits more closely with the ground Marling has previously tread, namely telling tales of romance and heartache, than it does with parental guidance for an imaginary daughter, it does not affect the listening experience. Marling has proven that she is a voice of our times and this is truly a masterpiece for the lockdown listener to enjoy!