Marina's Aren't Just Any Jewels, They're Conflict Diamonds
Thursday, 25 February 2010
Written by Bryony Clare
It seems the new wave of contenders for the ‘Pop Princess’ title of 2010 is well and truly upon us, and Greek-Welsh beauty Marina Diamandis has certainly made her presence in the battle known. Despite ending runner-up to her biggest competitor, cutesy Ellie Goulding, in both BBC Introducing and Critic’s Choice awards, Marina and the Diamonds prove that she's not out of the game just yet with her glittering debut record, The Family Jewels. Packed with tracks extravagantly decorated in electronic beats that lend themselves to the likes of Little Boots and La Roux, these unavoidably infectious jewels are guaranteed to hypnotise your feet.
Having been dubbed by many as the Florence of 2010 and repeatedly compared to eccentric 80s star Kate Bush, we get the feeling Marina stands defiant against attempts to pigeon hole her. The “Oh my god!” reaction culminates in a self-confident assertion of her individuality (after a rather self-assured physically comparison to Catherine Zeta!) that is brilliantly captured in her recent single Hollywood - ‘Actually my name’s Marina’. It is difficult not to admire the feisty flare Marina radiates and her determination to lay down her own rules.
Her female independence, power and strength are unashamedly laid bare in this record. There are no hidden meanings; her quirky lyrics unreservedly portray her daring opinions. Hollywood seems to mock the manufactured products so clouding today’s music industry, whilst you can’t miss the fun she pokes at the aspirations of young women today in Girls - “I fall asleep/when they speak/ of all the calories they eat”. Not one to disappoint, she shocks listeners with the particularly striking and hauntingly gorgeous Numb, that hints at an underlying potential darkness to Marina’s music.
What cannot be denied is the evocation of this lady’s genuine desire to succeed and nurture her talent. After all, she unquestionably insists in Oh No! ‘I know exactly what i want and who i want to be’. This, coupled with her ‘to hell with everyone else’ attitude, puts her strongly on the path to become the shining diamond of 2010. No sitting on the fence with this gem; love or hate her, there’s no escaping the hype her oozing charisma and the operatic execution of the theatrically, thumping pop-rock sounds of her music has fashioned amongst fellow music lovers. So watch out Ellie, as Marina says she isn’t going to stop until “I’m number one” and steal the throne all for herself.
Stereoboard Rating - 4/5.
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