A compelling look into contemporary life

Laura Marling had the lyrics, she just needed the right music. Thankfully, the gods brought her Mike Lindsay. And in that somewhat odd and perfect meeting at a bowling alley after a Neil Young support show, magic was made. LUMP proves to be one of the best albums of 2018 so far, purely from the symmetry between the two influential artists.

Marling, a British folk singer who oozes whimsy, was apart of the original lineup of folk band Noah and The Whale; she created music with the members of Mumford and Sons in her early career and was even recognized as The Best British Female Solo Artist in 2011. Lindsay, award-winning producer and founding member of Tunng and Throws, fell for the idea of being a part of a strange and wonky music-ship with the Grammy-nominated singer.

The seven-track album produced by Dead Oceans combines everything from spontaneous adventure to Marling’s struggle to tame her insecurities. “Late to the Flight” is the lucid dream listeners never had but always wanted. Layers of flutes and sultry vocals make for a great opening track. “Curse of the Contemporary” is a work of imagination straight from the inner-workings of Marling’s mind.

Her take on empty contemporary life can leave the listener with chills. “May I Be The Light” makes a huge splash on the album due to the thunder-like appeal of Marling’s voice. The rhythmic beat is matched by synths and heavy bass. Tracks like “Hand Hold Hero” and “Shake Your Shelter” both provide beautiful lyrical poetry with lyrics like “Salt air is healing / Nakedness revealing / They go so well.”

LUMP was a combination of both Lindsey and Marling’s interpretation of the animal within us, more specifically the one Marling dealt with during the making of Creature. “The Yeti” represents the hardships we can’t seem to overcome no matter the time and efforts we put into it. With the heavy influence of 20th-century surrealism and poets like Edward Lear and Ivor Cutler, LUMP was a brainchild of one artist nurtured by another.