Semper Femina

AlbumMar 10 / 20179 songs, 42m 20s
Chamber Folk Singer-Songwriter
Popular Highly Rated

Intended as an examination of 21st-century femininity and masculinity, Laura Marling’s sixth album drills into her friendships and relationships with absorbing intimacy. Musically, it’s one of her finest records too. She consistently finds a captivating balance between immediacy, nuance, and adventure—whether she’s plucking cascading acoustic melodies on “Nouel” or creating a suspenseful union of hushed electronic beats, filmic strings and snaking electric guitar on “Don’t Pass Me By.”

7.7 / 10

With Semper Femina, Laura Marling uses a broad study of femininity to explore complex relationships between women. The album is filled with beautiful observations on the psychology of friendship.

A

Heartworms, The Shins’ first record since 2012’s Port Of Morrow, kicks off with the bouncy, sun-kissed jaunt “Name For You”—an ode to female empowerment inspired by James Mercer’s three daughters. While it’s a decidedly summery affair, it deals with serious ideas, admonishing those with antiquated notions who might…

5 / 10

On her sixth album, 'Semper Femina', British folk star Laura Marling overthrows conventional portrayals of women

8 / 10

laura marling, semper femina, album review, 2017, soothing, wild fire, nouel

9.0 / 10

Marling brings heartfelt folk and successful experiments on her sixth album

Our take on the English singer-songwriter's latest.

Yet another hard-to-pin, experimental statement.

Also: Nadia Reid – Preservation, Chicano Batman – Freedom Is Free, Blanck Mass – World Eater, and Temples – Volcano

Semper Femina, a Latin phrase borrowed from Virgil translating roughly to "always a woman," was tattooed on Laura Marling's body long before it became the title of her sixth album.

Dealing with femininity, heartbreak and nature, Laura Marling shines with simple melodies, an acoustic guitar and some swooping strings.

8 / 10

"They put my hands in water / Told me I'm a god," Laura Marling sings at the beginning of "Wild Once," a standout track on her new album Sem...

8.0 / 10

Laura Marling's Semper Femina—a Latin phrase taken from Virgil's Aeneid which roughly means "always a woman"—is a superb showing of contemporary folk music. Like in her previous five albums,

9 / 10

‘Semper Femina’ shares its title with a tattoo on Laura Marling’s leg – translated as ‘always a woman’ it’s a

(More Alarming)

7 / 10

Laura Marling releases her sixth album in just the space of nine years, 'Semper Femina' is a chilled, thoughtful and beautiful piece of work.

Semper Femina is distinctly modern in its mixture of stringent self-analysis and inquisitive open-mindedness.

8 / 10

The folk star is back with a set of erudite but instantly relatable musings on femininity, art and relationships

70 %

Semper Femina is a refreshing collection from a performer whose charms never waver.

Album Reviews: Laura Marling - Semper Femina

Alt-J – Relaxer

The album of the singer's tattoo motto is designed to make you think, but also makes you feel. By Russ Coffey

8 / 10