Laura Marling- 'My Manic & I EP'

Can there be too many solo stars? Where are all the bands these days? Well, they're all still there, hiding out in the hinterland, watching and waiting whilst Lily, Amy, Kate et al have their fun. Not that Laura Marling is that much like the aforementioned. Here the Reading based chanteuse releases 'My Manic & I EP' plugging away at the time old new folk route.

'Night Terror' is a stark ballad with a violin pining away for a lost love. It's not unlike the new found PJ Harvey's latest. Like fellow young solo star Emmy The Great, Laura likes telling stories over simple acoustic based backgrounds. The title track tells of love gone wrong, trust fading and “the ring on my finger slips to the ground.” Based on a waltzing beat, it's a gorgeous little ditty. Blessed with beautiful pipes, the lyrics shine through over the minimal backing on the record. It creates a haunting, sombre effect. The melancholy shines through on this sterling effort from a great new musician.

Released 08/10/07 on Virgin.