Laura Marling

‘I want people to listen’: songwriter Nina Nastasia on surviving abuse, grief and psychosis

A favourite of John Peel and Laura Marling, Nina Nastasia gave up music as she endured a controlling partner and botched drug therapy – then even greater tragedy struck. After 12 years away, she returns with a tough, beautiful album

Laura Snapes

12, May, 2022 @3:00 PM

The 50 best albums of 2020: the full list

Our countdown is complete, topped by a mercurial work of sprawling invention by a woman who has dug deep to survive. Taken as a whole, these choices contain drama, solace, poetry and fire, a fitting selection for a turbulent year

Ben Beaumont-Thomas and Laura Snapes

18, Dec, 2020 @8:07 AM

On my radar: Dolly Alderton's cultural highlights

The writer and podcaster on Nick Cave’s sage advice, growing up with Laura Marling and the lure of life-changing noodles

Dolly Alderton

24, Oct, 2020 @2:00 PM

Michael Kiwanuka wins 2020 Mercury prize

Folk-soul singer wins £25,000 prize on third attempt for the album Kiwanuka, described by the Guardian as one of the best albums of the past decade

Ben Beaumont-Thomas

24, Sep, 2020 @6:36 PM

Mercury prize 2020: Stormzy, Dua Lipa and Michael Kiwanuka among nominees

More female artists nominated than any other year, including a fourth nomination for Laura Marling

Ben Beaumont-Thomas

23, Jul, 2020 @10:30 AM

Mercury prize 2020: where are the albums dragged from the fringes?

Yes, it boasts more women, but this year’s list of nominees doesn’t offer much in the way of surprises

Alexis Petridis

23, Jul, 2020 @10:30 AM

Laura Marling live at Union Chapel review: up close and virtual

This taut, live-streamed gig showcased the lone singer-songwriter’s dexterity and reserve to perfection

Kitty Empire

13, Jun, 2020 @1:00 PM

'I loved the weirdness' – can Laura Marling's crowdless gig rescue live music?

The singer played ticketed livestreams from an (almost) empty church to brighten up lockdown. We took up a lonely pew to see if it could match the real thing

Ben Beaumont-Thomas

11, Jun, 2020 @4:19 PM

This week's best culture at home, from Derek Jarman's garden to Headlong's 12 isolation plays

The Observer’s critics recommend the best new arts shows to enjoy on TV, on the radio and online

24, May, 2020 @7:30 AM

The best albums of 2020 so far

There’s shaken-up pop from Rina Sawayama, searching rap by J Hus and Jay Electronica, and invention everywhere from KeiyaA’s soul to Beatrice Dillon’s electronics

Ben Beaumont-Thomas

11, May, 2020 @5:00 AM

Laura Marling webchat – your questions answered on musical prophecy, loving Lizzo and double denim

She released her seventh album, Song for Our Daughter, early and is organising guitar lessons during Covid-19, but she joined us to discuss books, heartbreak and introversion

Guardian music

28, Apr, 2020 @12:07 PM