Laura Marling has always been a precocious little talent. Since bursting on to the music scene with her debut album, the elven looking blonde was bestowed with awards and critical acclaim. It was a good start and also caused a minor stir at the Brit Awards when this almost unknown singer won best newcomer. Could she make good on her promise though?
Over the course of three albums Laura has de-constructed what has become known as nu-folk and left in its wake the likes of Mumford and Sons. Yes, they may be headliners in their own right now but Laura took a different path. Hers was a path of self-discovery and exploration.
Now we have Once I was an Eagle, her fourth and arguably best album to date. 16 tracks which take their time to work on you until you find yourself wrapped up in her world. This is not an easy listen though and it is this that makes the album so rewarding. You would be hard pushed to find an album so brave as this (yes, even including Joni Mitchells Blue, comparison out the way).
Opening up with a quartet of songs exploring a relationship gone wrong we are suddenly cast into a world where nothing is certain. For one so young it is a surprise to see her singing such adult themes. Despairing of being a “victim of circumstance” the protagonist doesn't want to put up with it anymore. Over the course of the suite we are thrown straight into the deep end. Plates crash against the wall, the threat of violence is ever present, dignity is lost...this is intense listening and not easy at times.
Through the conviction of her voice and the sparse instrumentation there is little room left to breathe. Violins colour the music intermittently but the background of acoustic guitar, bass and drums is all you get for the most. This is not the folk she used to play but it certainly isn't jazz either.
These songs threaten to overshadow the rest of the album but given time they start to work their charms on you. ‘Master Hunter’ gives us a break from the intensity with its wry take on Bob Dylan's ‘It Ain't Me Babe’. Turning the table on this master craftsman, Laura shows musical skill which belies her years and also provides us with a glimmer of humour.
There is the acid folk of ‘Devils Resting Pace’ which then turns into a gorgeous three song run which evokes the very best of Laura's folk roots. Sandy Denny comes to mind as the finger picked ‘Undine’ and ‘Where Can I Go show’ an ageless theme in her music. The latter builds to a crescendo accompanied by Hammond organ which is truly wonderful.
The absolutely gorgeous ‘Once’ drifts in and again it is Laura's voice which wraps itself around you with its warmth. There are so many types of voices on this album but it is this one you find yourself drawn to like a moth to a flame. Lilting and deep, it has experience which many of her contemporaries can only hope for. Maybe it is the casual calm with which she delivers these songs with but there is something special at work here.
‘Pray For Me’ heralds the last act of the album and a return to the themes of the opening four songs. This time there is a search for answers though and as a guitar motif reminiscent of Pink Floyd's ‘Fearless’ guides you through the rocky waters, it becomes clear that the protagonist this time will not give a shit. She has been broken but now she lives her own life.
It is an almost subdued ending to the album until ‘Little Bird’ builds up into an almost celebratory finale which then leads us into the extraordinary last track ‘Saved These Words’ where naivety has gone and full circle has been reached. It leaves you wondering quite where Ms Marling will go next in a career which looks to place her up with the greats. Album of the year is a term bandied around quite a lot but this damn near ticks all the boxes. Perfect and fascinating, you will be exploring all the nooks and crannies of Once I was an Eagle for a long time.
