Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By Marina, Warner Music 2019.
Marina, formerly Marina & The Diamonds, is a Welsh singer/songwriter and this album is her fourth release.
It is my introduction to her work and I like what I’m hearing.
She first came to prominence in 2010 when her debut album, The Family Jewels, became a UK Top 10 hit.
She followed up in 2012 with her only UK number one album to date, Electra Heart, which was certified Gold Record status and cemented her reputation as one to watch.
Her third album, Froot, also reached the UK Top 10 but importantly broke into the Billboard Top 200 bringing her to the attention of the American music-buying public.
She’s an interesting mix of styles from indie pop and alternative through to elements of electronica. Throw in a bit of Madonna, Kate Bush, and Katie Perry and you get some idea of her sound.
Love + Fear is an album in two parts – tracks 1 to 8 being part one and 9 to 16 part two.
All the songs revolve around the title theme of the mix of extremes of emotions between love and fear. They are beautifully written and presented.
Marina has a delightful voice that is very expressive and can be delicate and vulnerable and then also powerful and soaring depending on the song’s requirements.
The album’s production is great. Her vocals are beautifully clear which brings her excellent lyrics to the fore.
There’s a good variety of styles and moods from uplifting to introspective but it’s hard to know how much of the music and rhythms are computer generated and how much played on instruments.
This isn’t a criticism it’s just the musician in me coming out. I’m not sure what I’m listening to.
Love + Fear is a generous album at 16 tracks in length but it doesn’t have many throw away ones.
It’s crammed full of potential singles and maintained my interest right to the end.
