Semper Femina
Laura Marling · 2017
42 min · 9 tracks · pop rock
A delicate tapestry of introspective lyrics woven with intricate melodies and Marling's ethereal vocals.
Top tracks — play these first
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Soothing Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Wild Fire — This track stands out for its haunting melody and vivid imagery, exploring themes of desire and the complexities of love through evocative storytelling.
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The Valley — With its lush instrumentation and reflective lyrics, this song captures the essence of longing and personal growth, showcasing Marling's lyrical prowess.
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Nothing, Not Nearly — The closing track offers a poignant reflection on fulfillment and self-acceptance, wrapping up the album's themes with both vulnerability and strength.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and cohesive arrangements, making it rewarding for repeat listens.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of fingerpicked guitar patterns that create a gentle, flowing backdrop for the vocals.
- Each track typically builds around a central melodic theme, with variations introduced in instrumentation and arrangement as the song progresses.
- Marling's vocal delivery often employs layered harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo reflective moments
- introspective storytelling with warmth
- emotional vulnerability in lush sounds
- thoughtful listening during quiet times
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer standalone singles over cohesion
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Represents an artistic high point with emotional depth and complexity.
- Career context
- Released in early 2017, Semper Femina is Marling's sixth studio album, following the critically acclaimed Short Movie from 2015. At this point in her career, she had established herself as a prominent voice in contemporary folk music, known for her lyrical depth and evolving sound. This album further solidified her artistic maturity and exploration of femininity in her songwriting.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Phoebe Bridgers· Julien Baker· Lucy Dacus
Tracklist
- 1 Soothing Start here 4:16
- 2 The Valley 5:40
- 3 Wild Fire 4:50
- 4 Don't Pass Me By 5:09
- 5 Always This Way 4:33
- 6 Wild Once 4:22
- 7 Next Time 4:01
- 8 Nouel 4:53
- 9 Nothing, Not Nearly 4:31
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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