Billie Marten – Dog Eared

Review

"Dog Eared," Billie Marten's fifth studio effort, marks a distinct evolution in her artistic journey, embracing a lush folk-jazz palette that feels both inviting and organically immediate. The recording process, guided by Philip Weinrobe, emphasized live-in-the-room spontaneity—musicians playing without headphones—imbuing each track with a fluid, uncontrived sensibility. This new approach reflects a deeper sense of collaboration, where spontaneous interplay takes precedence over meticulous perfection, and Marten's poetic songwriting finds a natural partner in the band’s textured instrumentation.

Immersed in themes of nostalgia and childhood memory, "Dog Eared" conjures a world rich with emotional nuance and tactile detail; the cover art—Marten painted eyes-closed—becomes a visual metaphor for her reliance on feeling and sound. Notable tracks such as "Feeling," "Crown," "Clover," and "Swing" underscore Marten's gift for contemplative lyrics, wrapped in gently expressive arrangements. Comparisons to Laura Marling and whispers of the Breeders speak to the eclectic yet focused reverence present here. The album ultimately stands as a testament to Marten’s matured voice—delivering intimacy and expansion in equal measure, shaped by years of quiet confidence and artistic growth. - Everett