“Love + Fear” album showcases Marina’s talent regardless of name change
After taking on a stage name to represent her dazzling pop personas for nearly a decade, Marina and the Diamonds is now just Marina. On April 26, Marina released “Love + Fear,” which is a two-part album showcasing what makes life wonderful and scary. After a four-year hiatus, Marina has proudly returned without a character to hide behind, ready to reveal her emotions and grow into who she really is.
While “Love” was released earlier this month, “Fear” was added later to convey a separate theme. As expected, “Love” is the more positive of the two, emphasizing the importance and beauty of life.
A tranquil track called “Handmade Heaven” is first. One of the prettiest songs on the album, Marina expresses her jealousy of free birds with elegant imagery. She understands things are not the way she needs them to be and decides to take action. She is already revealing her evolution as a person and artist after making changes in her life. She is not the same person she was before, and this is a good thing. Not only is it a gorgeous song, but it is the perfect introduction to this new chapter in her career.
“Superstar” follows, which is an electro-pop jam with an upbeat melody. It’s possibly the most mainstream love song on the first part of the album, sung in a lovestruck daze to her own superstar. It’s good, with an even better successor.
“Orange Trees” comes next with more alluring imagery and a peaceful summer tune. Lyrics like “flowers in my hair/I belong by the sea/Where we used to be, sitting by the orange trees” unleash thoughts of warm weather and happiness. As an anthem for the part of Lefkada, an island in Greece where her family is from, it brings feelings of nostalgia without ever needing to go there.
“Baby,” featuring Clean Bandit and Luis Fonsi, is a different story. While it’s not a bad song with its dance beat and Spanish flair, it feels out of place. Generic name aside, its sound is unfitting for the rest of “Love.” On its own, it’s fun to listen to and worthy of radio play, but this just happened to be the wrong place and time.
Marina’s next song is “Enjoy Your Life,” which is special for its lyrics. She encourages living life with less stress and more acceptance, despite the misery that comes with it. To Marina, keeping a negative attitude and regrets are a waste of time. “True” is another optimistic song, focusing on self-love. Both stick out as fun songs with real life advice.
“To Be Human” and “End of the Earth” go together to end part one of the album. “To Be Human” is undoubtedly the most important song on “Love + Fear,” questioning why human beings in different nations treat each other so differently when they are the same species. It is lyrically deep with beautiful music to match. It’s one of Marina’s best works. “End of the Earth” has a similar message with lyrics “we’re all living in the same universe.”
The second half of her album, “Fear,” is constructed of anxiety and doubt. Its songs are less calm and reassuring.
“Believe In Love” is about her struggle to get over her fear of her lover leaving her. “Life Is Strange” refers to the hardship that all humans go through. “You” reveals the actions of someone cruel, but only Marina knows it, and she sees herself in that same light. The music is enjoyable in all three, but the topics are all sad and relatable for any human.
“Karma” is the most like the previous songs she’s known for with her repetition of “oh my God” in the chorus. It’s her authentic style, and it works.
“Emotional Machine” uses high-pitched harmonies to create something different than every other track. “Too Afraid” comes after, followed by “No More Suckers” and ending with “Soft to Be Strong.”
The album ends on a confident note, as Marina professes that her walls have finally come down. She has a new appreciation for the world. She is ready to love without fear.
Marina’s break from music and new name have awakened her most genuine self. Her songs are evidence of becoming more in touch with who she is and wants to be. Because of this, she is more open than ever. With its melodic sounds, stunning vocals and sincerity, “Love + Fear” is a strong album that highlights all that it means to be alive.
By Vanessa Donadio, Contributing Writer
donadivj16@bonaventure.edu
