Album Review: MARINA - 'Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land'
You never quite know what you’re going to get with a MARINA album. Bursting onto the scene in 2010 with ‘The Family Jewels,’ a debut crammed full of confidence and attitude to the internationally lauded concept album ‘Electra Heart’ two years later. In 2019 she cut loose ‘The Diamonds’ tagline and released ‘Love + Fear’ which was for all intents and purposes a double album charting the ups and downs of a 10-year career in the spotlight.
It’s clear very early doors on ‘Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land’ that while she may have at times doubted herself, MARINA hasn’t lost any of her fire or ear for a decent pop song. The opener of the same name grabs your attention instantly and even if you haven’t, you’ll probably feel like you’ve heard it somewhere before. On second listen I realised it rung a bell because the backing looping synth beats sound like Blossoms covering Abba with its modern take on a classic disco pop sound.
Throughout her musical career MARINA has never shied away from wearing her heart on her sleeve lyrically with real life moments and relatable observations getting the nod ahead of masks and metaphors which others hide behind. ‘Venus Fly Trap’ and ‘Man’s World’ are just a few examples of songs that leave their subtlety at the door. The latter was the first single from the album and includes the poetic ‘Mother nature’s dying, nobody’s keeping score; I don’t want to live in a man’s world anymore.’ The track itself is a memorable and powerful experience and is up there among her finest to date in terms of all round appeal and production.
‘Purge the Poison’ is an ode to feminism and the Me Too movement. It’s thought-provoking and a real fist in the air moment. Musically it’s not too dissimilar from the pop-punk sound which made the first two albums so incredibly infectious.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, there’s plenty of quiet and heartfelt moments to be found too in the form of ‘Highly Emotional People’, ‘Pandora’s Box’ and ‘Flowers’ which showcase the strength in depth of her songwriting with their fragile and vulnerable piano lines.
MARINA’s fifth album ends on the high it began with and never looked like wavering from. It’s an enchanting listen and could well be her most solid and consistent record yet.
Words by Richard Cobb