Though she’s only 18, this buzzed-about English folkie conjures some of the old-soul elegance you hear in work by Nick Drake and Richard Thompson. On her debut, Marling sings about ghosts and romance with a storyteller’s sense of setting, and she embroiders her self-assured acoustic-guitar playing with tasteful strings and piano. Alas I Cannot Swim is free of fireworks, but its slow burn lingers.

Laura Marling plays Glasslands Gallery Mon 16 and Mercury Lounge Wed 18.