Song of the Day: Laura Marling - Soothing

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unrealeased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Midday Show with Cheryl Waters, is “Soothing” by Laura Marling from the upcoming 2017 album, Semper Femina, out March 10th on More Alarming Records/Kobalt Music Recordings.

Laura Marling - Soothing (MP3)It seemed that Laura Marling had set the bar pretty high for herself when she was nominated for a Mercury Prize for her debut album, Alas, I Cannot Swim, a project she had recorded when she was just 17 years old. But her four albums since then have shown that Marling was just getting started. Displaying a creative consistency few can rival, Marling has used her powerful voice (in both the physical and emotional sense) and a quiver of sparse instrumentation to enchant listeners for almost a decade, never faltering in the mastery of her craft. For being such a well-documented introvert, Laura Marling's music has always provided companionship to those who listen, both with her poetic lyrics and through the emotions her crooning conjures. With two singles released for her upcoming fifth album Semper Femina, it seems clear that fans will soon have a whole new album of quality companions. While the most recent single, "Wild Fire," is a friend to put your arm around, song of the day and first album single "Soothing" is a mysterious dance partner. It offers a moody, sparse soundscape that is a slight deviant from the guitar based instrumentation Marling is known for. A swanky bass line and bare percussion set the mood before Marling's airy voice and orchestral strings waltz in. The track is seductively soothing, living up to its name and setting the bar ever higher for Laura Marling.

Unfortunately, Laura Marling's upcoming North American tour doesn't include Seattle, at least not yet, but keep an eye on her Facebook in case that changes. In the meantime, check out the music video for "Soothing" below: