Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can

Two years is clearly a long time in Laura Marling’s world. In the interim since Alas, I Cannot Swim, the Hampshire-born nu-folkster has gone from a honey-voiced teenager to a 20-year old with a much more muscular sound. Her new album has a lovely up-down nature, moving from slow-burning tales of forbidden love on What He Wrote, to building barnstormers like Rambling Man and single Devil’s Spoke.

The lyrics are weightier and more complex. On Alpha Swallows she repeats: "I want to be held by those arms", but it’s an angry demand, not a loving refrain. Elsewhere, gently plucked guitars lead into nice little love songs and bass-heavy drums are an indication that some meatier, foot-stomping folk is in the post. And whilst there may be the distinct feeling that you’re being guide-dog led towards a particular emotive response, sometimes it’s nice to just submit. [Anna Docherty]