"[1] The album was preceded by the singles "Goodbye England (Covered in Snow)", released on iTunes in December 2009[2] and "Devil's Spoke" on 15 March 2010.

On the strength of the album, Marling won the Brit Award for British Female Solo Artist.

The song, Devil's Spoke is reported by Marling as being inspired by the Odyssey, while the final track, I Speak Because I Can, is informed by Margaret Atwood's novella, The Penelopiad, a counterpoint to Homer's epic.

The song, Goodbye England (Covered In Snow), according to Marling, is about a walk she and her family took to a church during winter.

I Speak Because I Can was received with acclaim from music critics, most noting the maturity and depth of the album, as well as Marling's rich vocals.