Laura Marling PATTERNS IN REPEAT. Chrysalis Records

In September 2013, Marling explained: “I am a solitary person but I love people, I’m not a misanthrope. I like the idea of speaking only when it’s strictly necessary. The closest I ever feel to people is in shared experience. I’m still exploring that, I don’t know where it’s going to lead me.”

PATTERNS IN REPEAT is the eighth studio album by British singer-songwriter Laura Marling, released by Chrysalis Records and Partisan Records on 25 October 2024. Marling co-produced the album with Dom Monks. It was supported by three singles: ‘Patterns’, ‘No One’s Gonna Love You Like I Can’ and ‘Child of Mine’. PATTERNS IN REPEAT was written after the birth of Laura Marling’s daughter in 2023. The songs reflect on motherhood, ageing and the patterns that are passed down through family over generations. The album opens with the sound of a man and a woman talking, alongside a baby cooing.

It was recorded at Marling’s home studio and at Bert Jansch Studio in London. Strings were recorded at Smilo Sound in Brooklyn, New York. Marling co-produced the album with Dom Monks.

Other Reviews

“Everything about this album suggests someone at peace, from the tone of voice to the smoothness of sound and transparency of lyrics. It strikes me as Marling’s least ambitious yet most satisfying album, as if she has stopped trying to write self-consciously great songs and yet they still arrive, smaller but perfectly formed.” John Amen of No Depression noted that “Some listeners will miss the simmer and boil of earlier sets” but concluded that “Even if some of these tracks unfurl like a dream you soon forget, the sequence as a whole points to Marling’s versatility, how her experiences feed her art, and how she’s committed to embodying her one and fleeting life”

‘Child Of Mine’ opens the record with random human sounds and guitar notes before Marling’s delicate voice takes over, supported by beautiful backing vocals that remind me of classical choral voices - something very traditional. Melody for me is key in the quality of music and this one has it in truckloads. But lyrics are capable of making songs very special and Marling is something of a musical poet: “Everything you want is in your reach right now/And anything that’s not I have to teach somehow/Everything about you is intuitive…”

‘Patterns’ Tumbling guitar notes introduce a steadier guitar flow and a gently expressive Maling vocal that is almost conversational, defineitely intimate. The melody underpins this classic and memorable beauty. ‘Your Girl’ is a prime example of just how important judicial and expert production can aid a song reach its objective. It sound as if she is in your listening room, playing for you and you only. It’s fabulous made even better by swooning backing vocals. A strong melody and moving lyrics seal the deal.

‘The Shadows’ offers a darker more contemplative tone while ‘Caroline’ reminds me of something from Laurie Anderson with its distinctive opening sounds. Its welcome in its adventure and difference. ‘Caroline’ is another conversational-style narrative which flow like a rippling stream. With a strong melody and lyrics (”What a way to change an evening/Was my number hard to find?/You know I’d given up believing/But the song had somewhat lingered on my mind.”) the song continues hitting the mark.

‘Lullaby’ is a short and simple song with softly plucked guitar and a voice that sounds like it’s really singing to a baby: “Safe in my arms/Safe in my arms/Sleep my angel/You’re safe with me.” ‘Patterns In Repeat’ is more (but gently) upbeat with another set of meaningful, sincere lyrics: You had your children on the fly/Another child, another guy/Another chance to fall in love again/I fear they may have paid the price/For the freedom of your life…”

In PATTERNS IN REPEAT, Marling has created, for me, her best record yet. It is a complete record almost perfect in every way. This is modern folk music, stripped-down instrumentally and vocally, to result in what is certainly one of 2024’s major highlights.

5/5

Biography

Laura Beatrice Marling (born 1 February 1990) is an English folk singer-songwriter. She won the Brit Award for Best British Female Solo Artist at the 2011 Brit Awards and was nominated for the same award at the 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018 Brit Awards.

Marling joined her older sisters in London at age 16 to pursue a career in music. She played with a number of groups and released her debut album, ALAS, I CANNOT SWIM, in 2008. Her first album, her second album I SPEAK BECAUSE I CAN, her fourth album Once I WAS AN EAGLE, and her seventh album SONG FOR OUR DAUGHTER were nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2008, 2010, 2013, and 2020, respectively. Her sixth record, SEMPER FEMINA, was also nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Folk Album category, as was SONG FOR OUR DAUGHTER.

Her songwriting is associated with sex and relationships, the modern concept of womanhood, and trauma.

https://www.lauramarling.com/
https://lauramarling.lnk.to/PIRAlbum