Throughout her nearly decade-long career, British folk musician Laura Marling has seen many evolutions. Her latest album, “Semper Femina,” lands her in one of the most intimate, constructive places she’s been to yet. Released on March 10, the album freshly delivers views on female relationships in the turning point of Marling’s late 20s.

“Semper Femina” derived its title from a shortened Virgil quote, meaning “always a woman.” In this album, Marling chose to write about women from a female perspective, something often missing in the artistic community.

The opening track, “Soothing,” starts the album with a marked departure from her trademark singer-songwriter sound. Intertwined bass melodies and a noted absence of guitar tell a story of repossession of self-identity.

Out of all the songs on the album, “Nouel” most closely reflects the simplistic, fingerpicked guitar traditionally heard from Marling. Referencing back to the album title, she sings of a personal friend who is living an independent and self-fulfilled life.

Though her previous album indicated a shift towards more of an electric L.A. feel, “Semper Femina” treads on English folk with an updated sound.

I think this album makes a strong statement in a time of political and social turbulence, and I anticipate it to be one of the better releases of 2017.

17hnorris@usd489.com