Born in Brynmawr, Wales, Marina Lambrini Diamandis left as a teenager to pursue a career in music in England. She succeeded as a singer-songwriter, having released three albums under the stage name Marina and the Diamonds and her own clothing line, and is currently touring in the United Kingdom.
At first listen, her songs seem no different from any other pop song you hear on the radio. You can clearly tell she is singing about fame, fortune, and boys. Wait, listen to the song again, and pay careful attention to the words. The words often go against the very theme she is singing about. Take, for example, Marina's song "Sex Yeah!" What does it sound like it's about? Sex. And it is, but not in the way you would think. Take a look at this snippet from the chorus:
" 'Cause all my life I've tried to fight what history has given me
Sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex, sex yeah"
While the song goes much deeper than these two lines, it captures the point that Marina is illustrating: the fact that women are often viewed as nothing more than objects for male gratification.
Another example can be found in the track "Blue," off her newest album, "Froot." While this song is clearly about a girl desperate to back together with her ex, the lyrics also reveal she is no longer in love with her ex, she is just desperate to validate herself. Take a look at the chorus:
"Gimme love, gimme dreams, gimme a good self-esteem/Gimme good and pure, what you waiting for?/Gimme everything, all your heart can bring/Something good and true/I don't wanna feel blue anymore (Blue)/I don't wanna feel blue anymore (Blue)"
By using such short and intriguing song titles, Marina grabs the viewer's attention. Once he or she listens to the lyrics, he or she may think twice about how they view themselves or the issue described. And for me, that is the mark of an excellent artist.
Music and art are noted as modes of self-exploration, not just for the performer or painter, but for those who observe their works. While pop music can be highly entertaining and catchy, it often lack that element of a deep emotional connection or revelation from the artist to the audience. As the musician Oliver Sykes puts it, "I like pop music, don't get me wrong, for what it is, but it's disposable. People start looking for something meatier to sink their teeth into." I believe that Marina and the Diamonds prove that pop music can have beef and substance, yet still entertain.
So the next time you are in the mood for some pop music and Katy Perry isn't doing it for you, give Marina and the Diamonds a try. Who knows? You just might discover a new obsession. Just don't be a primadonna about it, or your friends may believe you are telling lies about how beautiful her voice is.
