Words by Vienna Gaspar
The release of Billie Marten’s new single “Feeling” was accompanied by an announcement of her fifth studio album, Dog Eared. Set to release on July 18, 2025, Dog Eared consists of ten tracks, including both “Feeling” and “Crown,” the lead single released in October 2024.
In “Feeling,” Billie Marten departs from her signature wistful sound. The song feels rooted in a coveted childhood memory, one that warms you from the inside. “Feeling” is equal parts pop and folk, straddling the line between catchy and soothing. While the guitar, horns, and piano create a rhythmic soundscape that envelops you, Marten acts as a siren — her gentle voice pulling you further into the memory that is “Feeling.”
A sharp turnaround from her last album, Drop Cherries, Marten’s melancholic singing is transformed. She sounds more joyous than ever, her confidence shining through in every note. “Crown” was similarly marked by assertive lyrics, such as “The cat sits in the shade / And I am not afraid of love.”
In “Feeling,” Marten seems to say that there’s no room for thinking or doubts, just feeling. The chorus is straightforward but her voice is filled with emotion —“And you look so good / And you look so clean / I am on my way, hey, hey.” The lyrics to the track are plain and filled with end rhymes such as “Drawing roads into the sand / Falling deep into your hands / Barely grown enough to stand.” The simplistic writing paired with Marten’s earnest delivery and the musical accompaniment creates an intimate atmosphere that keeps “Feeling” from being corny.
In “Feeling,” Marten steps away from the pensive songs that garnered her an audience. Instead, the direction of Dog Eared is marked by a carefree re-entering into the past. The upcoming album is an invitation to explore and enjoy Marten’s memories with her.
Loudspeaker Collective 