#trackbytrack is a feature in which we get people to choose an album or EP and talk about it track by track. To divulge on what each song is like, what it reminds them of, and who and what they feel like when listening to it. That and to introduce people to some musical gems.
Single? In love? Want to chop your ex boyfriend’s dick off?
I’ve found myself in all of these positions – some recently, some less so – and one thing which has comforted me through each of them is music. Songs can often convey emotions far better than words alone. Music is just kinda weird and magical like that. Marina and the Diamonds’: Electra Heart does just this. Yes – it’s a cool concept album about the American archetype but it also deals with the pros and cons of love and its various state of beings in beautiful and pop-py ways.
Electra Heart – Marina and the Diamonds
1. Bubblegum Bitch – Marina kicks things off with a bang. Bubblegum Bitch was in my twitter bio for a while – *cringe*. I love this song though – it’s fruity with a bitter aftertaste. Yes, Marina’s singing about ending a relationship but she makes it sound so fun. Go Marina.
‘I’ll chew you up and I’ll spit you out//’Cause that’s what young love is all about.’
2. Primadonna – This was the album’s lead single and what a lead single. It’s glittering electro-pop fabulosity. Being a ‘spoilt’ only-child myself, I can relate to this song on so many levels. She wants it all, a great love, to be liked by everyone and to have everything her heart desires. Guilty – yes.
‘Get what I want ’cause I ask for it//Not because I’m really that deserving of it’
3. Lies – Having dated a boy knowing that he did not and would not develop feelings for me, this song hits me real hard. It’s awful but I definitely went through a period of thinking that it’s better to have something than nothing at all, no matter how toxic it is. This obviously was not cool – but I think the fact that Marina confronts this so honestly and openly in a song is great.
‘Only if we’re drinking can you see my spark//And only in the evening could you give yourself to me’
4. Homewrecker – Knowing you have the power to break someone’s heart can be very empowering. Sadly I rarely I rarely feel like I posses this power. Listening to this song though makes me I feel like I do for three minutes, 23 seconds. And those three minutes, 23 seconds are always enjoyable.
‘I break a million hearts just for fun//I don’t belong to anyone’
5. Starring Role – I can’t role with being a sidechick. Neither can Marina it seems. I feel like we would be friends. Also the xylophone (?) on this is great.
‘Come on, baby, let’s just get drunk, forget we don’t get on’
6. The State of Dreaming – I enjoy singing along to the part where she sings ‘is a play, is a play, is a play’. Nice ethereal production too if you can get down to that.
‘I live my life inside a dream, only waking when I sleep’
7. Power and Control – A lot of the time I think even the best relationships are a struggle for power – and Marina lays these thoughts down on a sick beat. Obviously mutual love and respect in a relationship is ideal but that doesn’t always work out. I enjoy running to this song.
‘Think you’re funny, think you’re smart//Think you’re gonna break my heart.’
8. Living Dead – This song is sad and full of regrets. Regrets suck. Wallowing in this song every now and then, reminds me to do what I want, love who I want and live how I want. It was removed from the American edition – sadface – but I’m glad the rest of us got it.
‘Got bubble wrap around my heart//Waiting for my life to start’
9. Teen Idle – I was prom queen when I was in High School – so I can’t relate too much to Marina here. Not in the sense that I was Regina George – I’m nice, I promise – but I actually loved high school. Still I get that it sucks for some people so kudos to Marina for singing about that.
‘I want blood, guts and chocolate cake’
10. Valley of the Dolls – This song is very sad and suicidal. Her voice sounds fab – but I tend to skip it. If sad and suicidal is your thing though, enjoy.
‘Living with identities//That do not belong to me’
11. Hypocrates – Telling people who they should be is not cool. Period.
‘You tell me one thing and do another//Keep all your secrets undercover’
12. Fear and Loathing – This was the first song Marina released on the album campaign and it was all about her getting over her fears of being in control as an artist. It’s as a result of letting go of that control that she went on to collab with great pop people (Dr. Luke, Benny Blanco, Greg Kurstin) for Electra Heart. Luckily you can apply this song to your own fears too – it’s not just for popstars.
‘I’m done with tryin’ to have it all and endin’ up with not much at all’
13. How to be a Heartbreaker – Annnnd last but not least my favouriteeeee. I love everything about this song. The music video, the rules, the pace. I’ve played this song more than 200 times on my iTunes and I’m not ashamed of it. The way she sings ‘lo-lo-lo-love’ is what it’s all about.
‘Cause I lo-lo-lo-love you….At least I think I do’
And there concludes my #trackbytrack. Marina’s new album Froot is coming out next April. You can hear the first song here. Let’s hope it’s just as magical as Electra Heart.
Christine Simonian
Christine Simonian currently studies Architecture at the University of Edinburgh. Other than listening to Marina and the Diamonds, Christine likes to wear booty shorts and is a serial-selfier much to the dismay of her friends and family. She also has a thing for Cristiano Ronaldo – don’t hate, appreciate.
To hear more from Christine follow her on her Twitter: @SimonianC.
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(Image sourced from: www.amazon.com)