laura marlingEverything Laura Marling touches seems to turn to gold. Her past romantic liasons have both preceded breakthrough musical success, first for ex-boyfriend Charlie Fink and Noah and the Whale, and then for current beau Marcus Mumford of the eponymous Mumford and Sons. She was also [ahem] instrumental in the rise of Emmy the Great, and modest initial success for her debut album ‘Alas I Cannot Swim’ has built into a devoted critical following and a growing fanbase. She’s now just days away from releasing a second album, and because she’s a smart cookie, she’s previewing it through the Times’ website here. If you like what you hear, you can pre-order ‘I Speak Because I Can’ on Amazon here. Imagine a young, less squeaky Joni Mitchell who could give Feist a decent bout in the song-writing ring and you’re pretty much there…