Electra Heart

A bit of background to this album to begin with. 'Electra Heart' is a persona created by Marina (and described as the antithesis to everything Marina stands for) used to tell a story of self-corruption. As a result, this album feels darker than 'The Family Jewels' (Marina's first album). We begin with "Bubblegum Bitch": an in-your-face, self-centered song that serves as a brilliant opener to the album and gives a clear insight into the character of Electra Heart. Next up is "Primadonna", an instant classic that hits the heights of "Hollywood" from the first album. A 'celebration' of materialism, hedonism and the absolute desire to be famous. "Lies" feels like it probably should have been a single, it's that good. A sad reflection on a past partner who seemed to lack the courage to tell the truth or say how he really felt. "Homewrecker" follows and is a very catchy track where Electra Heart boasts about her ability to "break hearts for fun". As we approach the middle section of the album, "Starring Role" and "The State of Dreaming" are probably the least catchy songs, but are fascinating insights into the eponymous character. The pace picks up again slightly with "Power & Control", a memorable song about the constant power struggle in a relationship, however the tone only dips from this point. "Teen Idle" reflects mournfully on the wasted years of youth, obsessing over popularity. "Valley of the Dolls" appears to be about the book of the same name which I must confess I haven't read, but the dark tone is once again palpable. "Hypocrates" is another of Marina's clever portmanteaux combining the word 'hypocrite' and the ancient Greek physician 'Hippocrates'. Here, Electra Heart seems to be realising that she has failed to achieve the "American Dream" and attacks the hypocrisy of showbusiness. In my view, the best song of the album is saved for last. "Fear and Loathing" is a deeply moving song about anxiety and depression, aided by Marina's breathtaking vocals. By the end, you realise this is a rather brutal album as you witness the rise and fall of Electra Heart. Marina may have only released two albums to date but it's difficult to see how this won't always be considered her magnum opus. A truly brilliant display of songwriting, production and vocals. One of the best pop/alternative pop albums I've ever had the privilege to listen to.

Marina and the Diamonds was one of those artists I took a little while to warm up to, but once I heard a few of her singles from her previous album, I fell in love with her voice and unique style. Electra Heart feels like a real step up from The Family Jewels. There's bigger production and a more electro vibe, but it doesn't lose any of that Marina edge. The opening song Bubblegum Bitch is one of my favourites from the whole album - upbeat and catchy. The rest of the album sometimes has a more ballad-y feel but there's some real stand out songs on there. Teen Idle and Fear and Loathing are particularly poignant and totally relatable. It's definitely worth buying the deluxe edition. Not only do you get the first single "Radioactive" but the brilliant "Sex Yeah" which is worth getting the deluxe alone.

Item arrived on time. I was amazed by the fact that the CD was brand new despite being released long time ago and I could access the exclusive content: 2 remixes of Primadonna for download and watch acoustic version of Lies. Overall, I am in love with every single song on this CD, each one of them is electrifying and reminds me of particular moment in my life. Marina's blunt and intelligent lyrics match perfectly the rough, electronic sound. Also, the era of this album is absolutely fantastic, the box has extremely beautiful photoshoot and I am grateful for the inclusion of lyrics for every song in the booklet. Purchasing the deluxe version was well worth it.

When I first heard Primadonna, something really attracted me to Marina's voice. It is powerful, yet peaceful, like a friendly giant and pleasant to listen to in any circumstances. I've listened to the album a few times now, and can safely say that this is one of the best albums I own...and I am not normally into Marina's style of music. The best aspects of the album are that all songs are unique and original - no two sound the same - and the lyrics were written amazingly. Marina is amazing at rhyme and clearly has a talent for vocals. She is a true professional in the music industry, not your average Cheryl Cole who receives songs and releases them with a complete disregard for their meaning! THE BEST SONGS (in my opinion): ~Primadonna - an explosive track with clever lyrics and an amazing beat. It was the lead single for a reason! ~Bubblegum Bitch - Fast paced, clever and amusing...Though not to everyone's taste! ~Lies - hugely emotional and very powerful to listen to. A great lyrical composition. ~Starring Role - Powerful chorus yet delicate verses - amazing! ~Hypocrates - Pleasant and soothing to listen to and something everyone can relate to! ~State of Dreaming - Something most can relate to with a similar set-up to Starring Role. ~Radioactive (On the Deluxe Edition) - Not the most amazing composition, but it has a great beat and gets stuck in my head for hours! And as for the rest?...I love most of them and am sure the others will grow on me over time. The only one I am not sure on are Valley of the Dolls (a little too slow and peaceful for me) and three of the Deluxe tracks (besides Radioactive) - but I have heard those the least amount of times. CONCLUSION: So, if you like Primadonna, I would advise you listen to some of her other songs and buy the album! I personally think anyone that likes Primadonna would love the album, but the Deluxe Edition tracks may not be so popular. So it is basically a decision of whether you want to take a risk and spend an extra £3.00 on the Deluxe Edition or not. :)

At first, like many others, I was a bit vary of the new sound of this album, but the more I listen to it, the more I love it. I would definately advise people to get the delux edition as it has a few extra great songs on it, the best of which being 'Buy the Stars' - I just love that song. The stongest songs on this album for me are Bubblegum Bitch (which is a lot of fun!), Teen Idol (brilliantly tragic!) and Fear and Loathing, although I am not sure why there is a long gap of silence at the end of the song. I also love Radioactive! The weakest songs in my opinion are Homewrecker, Power & Control and Living Dead, but they might still grow on me, it happens. All the other songs I have not mentioned are great too, but I just wanted to mention my favourites here. Overall a great album which I listen to every day and I am not at all disappointed!!

Firstly, lets get one thing straight: this is not Marina Diamondis singing; it's an alter ego called Electra Heart, which Marina has embodied wholly, hence the blonde dye-job and step away from the unique sound that defined her début. What will throw most people is the thumping 80's style synths that permeate most of the album, which adds a literal sense to Electra Heart herself, and also ensures that, just like The Family Jewels, is not easy to classify; sure, it's electro-pop in essence, but is that really an apt and fair moniker? Opening with the fast-paced Bubblegum Bitch, the inflection on 'bitch' in the chorus turns the phrase bubblegum bitch on its head, with Electra delighting in proclaiming you the bubblegum and herself the bitch, and thus setting the tone for what follows, in that Electra is reeling from the emotional chaos of a break-up; the anger and the rediscovery of one's self and self-worth that comes from it. Picking stand-out tracks has been tough given the nature of the album, but I would say that the suitably charged Homewrecker pops out, demanding attention, as does Living Dead, with its dagger-like synth chord chorus section with high-pitched repeated words. Lies and Starring Role are two relatively quieter tracks, and appear to be directly related as dealing with break-down of the relationship, with Starring Role suggesting that it was not one-sided. Closing the album is Fear and Loathing, which seems to bring closure to Electra herself, as she sounds more subdued than on previous quiet tracks, as she comes to the realisation that not everyone is out to harm her, and that the various personas she has are perhaps not that beneficial after all. The Deluxe Edition contains four bonus tracks, including Radioactive, which surfaced mid-2011, teasing us with what Marina was cooking up next. Listening to Radioactive now, it makes sense for it to appear directly after Fear and Loathing, though it does have two viewpoints: it's the precursor, or, after the revelations she formed in Fear and Loathing, she's started again, though by the time we reach Buy The Stars, it would appear that she's doomed to repeat the cycle. I highly recommend this Deluxe Edition to existing fans, and to anyone who is looking for something a little different and grown up.

The number of artists who have successfully pulled off the adoption of a persona or character can be counted on one of David Bowie's fingers so I was apprehensive about "Electra Heart", despite considering "The Family Jewels" to be one of the best albums of the century thus far. As the release date drew closer, it became obvious that this wasn't an alias as such and "Primadonna" was certainly an improvement over the suspiciously bland "Radioactive" so it was inevitable I would hit the 16 track edition. It doesn't start so well. Immediately, the consciously pop production threatens to stifle the album - "Bubblegum Bitch" should have a punky snarl on its "liquor liquor lips" but instead sounds like nothing more than "Models" by Girls Aloud. On these occasions, it's down to her personality to make the track work and, given that this is partially hidden within the "Electra Heart" character, it's a photo finish she only just edges once or twice. "Lies" raises the game but she really turns up for "Starring Role" which is one of the best songs she has ever written; it's fragile, hurt and uncomfortably close - indeed, at one point, she appears audibly upset. The vast sound really suits this one and Marina rises to match it - if this isn't the next single then everyone involved is plain daft. One way or the other, the album is now in top gear and, pleasingly, it pretty much stays there - "Living Dead" and "The State Of Dreaming" are exactly the kind of songs that *only* she can do - part floor-filler, part emotional catharsis in a blend that is entirely Marina's own. "Teen Idle" is remarkable; a gentle, regretful slice of pure melancholic pop - this is the form that makes her one of the most engaging artists we have. In fact, only "Hypocrates" disappoints, the dated production rendering it as a filler from the soundtrack to "The Breakfast Club" or somesuch. The album proper comes to rest on what has to be her best recording to date, the incredible "Fear And Loathing". By placing the song last, it becomes, in effect, the unmasking - a moment of unguarded self-revelation delivered with extraordinary candour and sensitivity, the personae and character sketches of the album dissolving to reveal the real Marina. Her voice is at its absolute best here and the music is produced with particular care by "Family Jewels" collaborator Liam Howe. It is mesmerising for the entirety of its 6 minutes and is worth the admission price on its own. The bonus tracks are inevitably a bit mixed - "Radioactive" is here if you really need it and, for anyone feeling a little wistful for the more downbeat tones of her earlier work, "Buy The Stars" summons the spirit of "Numb" and "Obsessions" for an intriguingly dark conclusion to the deluxe edition. It's too early to call "Electra Heart" as either a partial success or a glorious failure. Its central concept is woolly and actually holds a few songs back but no album that contains "Fear and Loathing", "Starring Role", "Teen Idle" and "Living Dead" can be considered anything other than essential and it is still growing with every listen. Ultimately, I have to recommend it to any set of ears intent on hearing intelligent, ambitious pop music.

I bought this CD on the pre-sale and it arrived very quickly. I got Marina's first album in 2010 and already got addicted to her stuff, to her job and style. I thought she couldn't get any better and even wondered if she would release another record. Then she surprised me with Primadonna, Lies, Homewrecker and everything. I have been listening to the whole CD for weeks now and seems like it will never get old. Told my friends about this record and they all loved as much as I did. Marina's work and effort for this one are so great that nobody seems to dislike it. I'm brazilian, I'm a huge fan of hers and... Well, would recommend her to ANYONE that enjoys good music.