Writing of blues and yellows

"The low-key, beautifully arranged indie-folk of Yorkshire 17-year-old [Billie Marten's] debut album, reminiscent of Lucy Rose and the young Laura Marling, will draw inevitable cries of "old soul". In truth though, Writing of Blues and Yellows, although musically miles above the average tremulous, John Lewis-y singer-songwriter sort, has the limited palette of juvenilia; no humour, little anger, just delicate, pastel wistfulness ... There's surely better to come, though".

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"... while Marten's debut doesn't reinvent the strummy/murmury wheel, its purity and grace make it worth investigating. Her vocals are a whisper in a world of clamour, and if by track 18 you're wondering how she might sound if she cranked it up a notch, her delicacy does gel exquisitely with the subdued folk/jazz arrangements".

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"The Yorkshire teen's rapid ascent, winning praise from Ed Sheeran and releasing a debut album on a major label, began when her mother posted a video of her playing on YouTube, an immaculately modern back story. Her songs are more old-fashioned, however.Based around her acoustic guitar and lingering voice, they dare risk associations with Nick Drake and Joni Mitchell, disproving the lack of boldness lamented in 'Lionhearted'".