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Marina's sophomore album, "Electra Heart" builds upon, her wonderful artistry. The follow to 2010 album, "The Family Jewels", Marina spent around two years producing this record. While, Electra still features thought provoking lyrics, it's musical is new direction for Marina. The new record features a more electronic sound. I hesitant to call "POP", while does have many pop elements, the album's poetry is far deeper and meaningful, then a casual pop song. "Electra Heart"'s main purpose can easily be uncovered through a listening session - to tell the tragic tale of Electra's (the vehicle of the album) life. The American edition, I'm reviewing contains 14 tracks. "Radioactive" and "Sex Yeah" are bonus tracks on the deluxe edition found in the UK, while "How To Be a Heartbreaker" is a US exclusive track. "Living Dead" from the UK edition, has sadly been omitted, but strongly suggest American Diamonds listen to the track. (It should be available on YouTube. If you like it, you should order the UK edition of "Electra Heart" as well as the American.)
Track Reviews:
1. Bubblegum Bitch
The album is opener, is fun and sassy. The lyrics act as clues as to the rest of the album. Defiantly a standout track. The lyrics are basic description of the album's main character, Electra. She wants love, but isn't afraid to be assertive and stand up for herself when taken advantage of. Her strong side is shown in this song.
"I'll chew you up and I'll spit you out. Cause that's what young love is all about"
10/10
2. Primadonna
The first official single from the album. It's perfect first single. Forty second intro draws in the listener, just as the beat kicks in. The lyrics speak of Electra's need to be adored, as well as spoiled characteristic. The infectious lyrics are still dancing in my head, but I'm not complaining! The backing vocals cooing "WOW", "YEAH" and "OOH", were a really nice touch.
9.6/10
3. Lies
After a lamenting intro starring Marina's fine vocals, "Lies" dives into Electra questioning her relationship's credibility. The instrumental works very well with vocal permanence, and the lyrics. Proof (along with Primadonna) that Dr. Luke can be just as great as any indie-producer's song.
"What's the point of the playing, a game you're gonna lose? What's the point in saying you 'love me like a friend'?"
9.3/10
4. Homewrecker
An airy intro, with spoken words, set the stage for this anthem's theme. "I don't belong to anyone". Written as a response to "Lies", "Homewrecker" finds the protagonist coming back, and breaking hearts "just for fun". She proves that she belongs to no one, and that she is the heart-breaker, not broken.
"I'm only happy when I'm on the run, I break a million hearts just for fun. I don't belong to anyone"
10/10
5. Starring Role
Similar to "Lies", Electra is unhappy with her lover, however in "Starring Role" she much more assertive, however her broken heart can still be heard underneath the strong exterior. "I'd rather walk alone" "Fed up with the fantasies". She dismisses her role in her lovers heart as too small, wishing to be the star. The production creates a sense of anxiety, as if the relationship is on the edge of shattering.
9.5/10
6. The State of Dreaming
The song seems to recall the "Electra" is a fictional character lived through on the album. "I've been living a state of dreaming". Or it may recall that Electra lives in her own world, where her perspective on others is altered/warped. "Living in a make believe land". There is a certain sadness to the track, in all it's airy beauty.
9/10
7. Power & Control
In the album's second single, the protagonist in at odds in her relationship. This time, is seemingly over dominance, and heartbreak. Electra has decided to break her lover's heart, before her heart is shattered, while also a playing a game. She desires to make him fall, hard. She is no longer under his control.
"we can't have peace, without a war"
10/10
8. Sex Yeah
"Sex, sex, sex sells" chimes. The beat of the introduction brings to mind factory work line, where soulless pop stars, are somehow mechanically produced. The song then announces that history has given little to allow people to be who they are. They're lives mapped out for them, due to gender, among other factors. The protagonist wants to find what history and society can give to her that's positive, at the same time encouraging listeners to question their morals, and the morals of the society.
10/10
9. Teen Idle
The ode to regretted youth is emotionally devastating. The song connects to both adults and teens. Teens relate, who feel pressures of their age. I feel youth these days are put under much more pressure then the previous generation. Adults connect, as there are regrets from their youth. Easily one of, if not the best song on "Electra Heart", the song mixes sad vocals, with up beat cheer. "Feeling *Super Super Super* suicidal". The bridge brings the song full circle with self-deprecating lyrics of fear of living a lonely life. Eventually the protagonist "dies, only to find I've come to life". A possible rebirth?
10/10
10. Valley of Dolls
The protagonist cannot go on in her current form. It seems her identities are crushing her, she wishes to just sleep in "the Valley of the Dolls". While it's tenor is downcast, a feeling of hope somehow permeates it. As if, she is letting go of her other personalities. Can she now just be herself?
"But to zero, here we go again. Racing again into oblivion"
These lyrics to me, recall "Numb" on Marina's debut.
10/10
11. Hypocrates
An more upbeat song after the darker section of the album, Electra is finally done with the relationship. She comes to complete terms with his actions and his hypocritical behavior. The lightness of the track, seems to suggest she is not longer saddened by the relationship. She is just calling him out, no wars.
8.9/10
12. How to Be a Heatbreaker
A lesson on how to be a hearbtreaker, Electra encourages having fun, and looking pure. She suggests not getting attached, as well never wearing a your heart on your sleeve. She now know how to keep her heart unbroken, and how to break to the others. She isn't taking anymore risks in love.
"Girls don't, we don't want our hearts to break into... So it's better to be fake"
9/10
13. Radioactive
One of the first songs debuted off "Electra Heart", "Radioactive" sees Electra finds a love that makes her feel electric.... Radioactive even. Easily the most electronic song on the album, Electra states "I'm the one who left you", not the other way around. It does makes sense to place Radioactive, after Heartbreaker, even thought their recording dates are far apart.
8.5/10
14. Fear & Loathing
The conclusion to Electra's journey. It begins with a reflection of her life. It admits to the multitude of personalities, and her bitterness. However, she is not truly changed. She's realized that she must let go of her negativity. She is done with fruitless effort of "having it all". She has been saved, free to live in happiness now. The track ends with a haunting vocal by Marina's grandmother. It's beautiful, and strangely fitting.
"I wanna touch the edge of greatness. Don't wanna be completely faithless."
10/10
"Electra Heart" is not "The Family Jewels", but why would you want the same album twice? Both are masterpieces in my opinion. It's Marina has stretched into territory - the sound works quite well. This album is one that requires analyzing and input. It's poetry will leave breathless - on the edge of greatness.
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zzzapata
muy buen álbum
Reviewed in Mexico on July 1, 2023
zzzapata
Reviewed in Mexico on July 1, 2023
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Amazon Customer
Amazing Deluxe album, unfortunately doesn't include the hit ''How to be a Heatbreaker''
Reviewed in Canada on May 19, 2021
