SONG FOR OUR DAUGHTER

Spike Sidor

6 years ago

LAURA MARLING

2020 SINGER-SONGWRITER FOLK

Song for Our Daughter is the seventh record by femme singer-songwriter Laura Marling. Admittedly, I have next to no familiarity with Marling’s back catalogue; I went into this album with zero expectations other than the general buzz created around its release. From the very first track you can tell that Song for Our Daughter is going to be something special and from there the brilliancy never stops, a project as unshakable and striking as a much beloved piece of ancient architecture . The sounds at play are very simple and often sparse with the acoustic guitar, bass, drums, vocals, and of course piano with the occasional oddity mixed in such as strings or steel pedal. As with any singer-songwriter affair the main attraction is Marling’s vocals and song craftsmanship which are both spectacular, there are touching moments all over this record of joy, sadness, and introspection. Alexandra starts off with a bright and sticky acoustic guitar riff which complements Marling’s delivery perfectly. She is confident and charismatic, the chorus is catchy and the tale weaved is beautiful. It’s incredible when Marling reaches into her upper register near the end of the track for these lines.

You had to say your shit to bed
You could not bear the unsaid
I had to try a fuck to give
Why should I die so you can live?

Held Down is strong single material with its irresistible flow as the bass and backing vocals work with Marling to cast a spell on the listener. The songwriting is powerful as hell; Marling has a chip on her shoulder as she drops stellar verses into a knockout chorus. It’s the kind of track that you can sing along with from front to back on only the second listen. Strange Girl is similarly infectious with its bouncy guitar and drumming. The lyrics are that classic combination of comedic relatability; Marling seems to be referencing a friend or friends and their pitfalls and tribulations. Yes, it is a bit typical; throwing out your records in an emotional fit, working a shitty job you hate, and dating self-centered assholes but it’s told with such humor and wit that any perceived cliché is thrown to the side. I adore the last verse, especially the extra emphasis put in some syllables on the final line.

Build yourself a garden and have something to attend
Cut off all relations ’cause you could not stand your friends
Announced yourself a socialist to have something to defend
Oh yawn, girl, please don’t bullshit me

The tempo drops down for the minimal Only the Strong. Quiet tapped percussion and guitar guide Marling as she looks back on an unhealthy relationship. It’s a solid one but the overused saying of “only the strong survive” on the chorus gets on my nerves fast. Blow By Blow is a weeping piano ballad that is certainly gorgeous but is overshadowed by the rest of the listing, still great but in the company of giants. The title track is a sumptuous piece with guitar, piano, and strings but the real star is the lyrics. Vivid poetry about injustice surrounding women are laid out in brutal simplicity.

Though they may want you to take off your clothes
Whatever they think that the action exposed
With your clothes on the floor
Taking advice from some old balding bore
There are loads of incredible quotables.
Lately I’ve been thinking about our daughter growing old
All of the bullshit that she might be told
There’s blood on the floor
Maybe now you’ll believe her for sure

The straightforward and melancholic way she lays down these lines strikes hard to the heart. Fortune is a cute piece with mildly somber acoustic guitar and strings with Marling reminiscing on a fund of cash her Mother kept around in case she ever needed to escape from home life. I am fond of the concept but some of the nondescript lyrics leave me nonplused. We are treated to more solemn but good-humored reflecting with The End of the Affair; a gorgeous heartfelt story of love that burns out quickly. The way the vocals quiver and shake, especially on the high notes of the chorus, is breathtaking. Hope We Meet Again continues spreading kind affection to ex-lovers; alluring strings and what sounds like long notes caressed form a steel pedal guitar hang low as Marling regales the audience with terrific balladry. The performances all over this record are top notch and this is no exception

Left my heart with a man in those eastern woods;
He is people-shy but his words are good
And I hope that he won’t fade away
I should write to him tomorrow, I wrote that yesterday

The cadence that she delivers these lines is straight up enchanting. For You is a wonderous closer with buttery smooth hums that linger hypnotically. Patient acoustic guitar accompanies Marling and a cast of unexpected characters; additional guitar and heavenly synths come together just so. The frequently repeated chorus is perfect send off;

I thank a God I’ve never met
Never loved, never wanted (For you)
I write it so I don’t forget
Never let it get away
I keep a picture of you
Just to keep you safe

It’s a serenade to say farewell to sweet memories and those who made them. Song For Our Daughter is frankly a terrific experience front to back it covers a full range of emotions and nothing is forced or out of place, the worst thing I can say is there are a few track that are only good instead of unbelievably good and I do wish that it was longer at a short thirty-six minutes from start to finish but lets me real those are nitpicks. This record is sublime and I’ve already found myself coming back to it again and again long after its release; finding new bits and pieces to delight over, a sure sign of a modern classic.

9/10

SONG FOR OUR DAUGHTER

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