Laura Marling

Marling: Watch out Adele, Duffy and co

Alas, I Cannot Swim.

Music industry bods have been scouring the nation for a new pop-songtress in the vein of Wino.

With a spectacular turnaround of fortunes at the Grammys, the bee-hived one looks keep her crown a little longer (just keep of the naughty stuff and out of the nick) but what of the pretenders?

Music industry bods have been banging on for ages about singers such as Adele and Duffy, the hype has been gradually piling upon these precocious talents while Laura Marling has slipped under the radar and impressed many with her debut LP, Alas I Cannot Swim.

At only 18, Marling shows much promise, she is already being spoken in ‘folk pop’ circles as the heir to Devendra Banhart.

Marling writes in a confessional style akin to folk overlord Bonnie Prince Billy, her voice and stripped down style have a subtle naivety. The subject matter is often dark, Night Terrors speak of depression and addiction with a soul that belies her years.

It would be patronising to continue to be astonished at the maturity of her work, she is another talented British singer-songwriter whom we hope will continue to produce music of this calibre for years to come.

We say: Berkshire girl sidesteps hype machine, Alas, she swims in a river of credibility until ad executive places her music in mobile phone ad.

They say: ‘A lyricist to watch. Remarkable, coming from one so young.’ The Guardian.

Best track: ‘Ghosts’ - Scarily good.

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