The title of Billie Marten’s latest album, Dog Eared, is neatly reminiscent of a worn out, but much-loved book. From the outset, Marten frames herself (and the listener) as ‘dog eared’; emotionally lived in, a little worn but loved. In a world obsessed with perfection, Dog Eared embraces the imperfect through the album’s live-in-the-room recording style with no overdubs or headphones.

Marten’s previous work has often felt quite heavy; she is an artist I would listen to huddled up in my room feeling down. Yet Dog Eared takes a subtle turn from her often heart-breaking lyrics.

There is an undercurrent of commentary on how women, like books, are often read, used, and expected to stay pristine. This is reflected especially in the lyrics of ‘No Sudden Changes’. Marten utters, “don’t push me over/ I’m half your size”; a line which is both a literal and metaphorical take on female vulnerability. Physically yes, but also the emotional and societal pressure to remain gentle and non- disruptive. Just like the dog-eared metaphor, women are framed as well-thumbed stories: valued for familiarity but judged when worn. ‘No Sudden Changes’ sets the emotional tone of the record, it’s soft yet uneasy due to the mix of minimal piano and breathy vocals.

‘Feeling’ is another standout song due to its intense vulnerability and further commentary on the female experience. At its core, it’s an apology for emotion as the line “I was only feeling” repeats like a defence mechanism, as if Marten is justifying her own vulnerability to someone who could never understand it. The song unfolds slowly, with further delicate piano chords and soft harmonies floating around Marten’s voice. The track never reaches a dramatic climax but instead settles into a steady emotional pulse. There’s intentional restraint in the arrangement: no drums, no flourish—just space. This silence between the sounds mirrors the emotional distance the lyrics are discussing.

Dog Eared is a gentle record, not designed to overwhelm. It lingers and rewards close listening, like pages you return to over and over, discovering something new in the silence between the lines. With this release, Marten remarkably evolves as an artist whilst affirming the power of quiet defiance.