Track by Track: MARINA releases her fifth studio album ‘Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land’
MARINA is a force to be reckoned with in her latest album ‘Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land’
Photo: Press
This is a new era and MARINA is unstoppable.
With every album, Marina Diamandis creates a new world; a unique persona that channels through her music. If you imagine her albums as films, you’ll realize that she embodies a different character in each of them. As listeners, she invites you into her universe which is a new musical journey every single time. In this fifth album — the second since Marina shed the “Marina and The Diamonds” moniker — she owns not only her name but also voices her thoughts out loud to the world.
Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land is a culmination of raging issues in today’s world — with underlying political messages, the album stands its ground. It is purely empowering as Marina rages and sighs through every track on this record. The Welsh-Greek songstress addresses the sad state of the world; her lyrics delve into racism, misogyny, climate change and capitalism interweaved with bold music and catchy tunes.
This is Marina’s truest album, taking charge of her sound and say. Having penned every song and co-produced several tracks on this record, Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land witnesses her musical evolution. She retains her unique sound and charming personality, yet leaving her mark as one of the most innovative acts in alt-pop.
There’s a track for everyone in Marina’s latest album. Sonically, it can be divided into two mini-albums, the first half composed of powerful anthems — full of energy and upbeat tracks; and the second half is all heartbreak and soulful ballads. The ten tracks together create one perfect narrative with striking storytelling and gripping melodies. No matter what, you are bound to get hooked to one piece or the other.
Photo: Press
The album kickstarts with a bang with the titular track Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land. This glam-rock-cum-disco track will pull you straight into the groove. Marina definitely owns the song, serving us with lyrics as powerful as “You don’t have to be like everybody else / You don’t have to fit into the norm / You are not here to conform”. This track lays the foundation for what’s to follow in the record. She is unapologetic for who she is and expects you to do the same.
“Our ancestors had to fight to survive / Just so we could have a chance of a life / We’re not here so we can blow it all,” she sings, that being a wake-up call to the whole world. She released the track with stunning visuals that almost resemble the femme fatale intro sequence from every James Bond movie ever. She surely is making a statement.
Venus Fly Trap may sound like the aftermath of Marina and The Diamond’s 2010 track Hollywood. But here she is brash, almost carnivorous. Venus Fly Trap is a sensational funk-driven track in its own right. Marina views herself as an outsider here, but she is victorious and empowered: “Why be a wallflower when you can be a Venus flytrap?” she sings.
The music itself makes it an unforgettable track from this record. Marina empowers herself and every woman, “I got the beauty, got the brains / Got the power, hold the reigns”. As for the album itself, Marina sought female producers to craft the songs, prominently grammy-winning producer Jennifer Decilveo.
Marina serves more Hollywood in the accompanying music video; one listen and it is bound to live in your head all day.
I mean it when I say that every song on this album has lyrics so memorable they will linger in your mind long after. Man’s World is one such track — it is the first single that Marina dropped when she announced the release of her fifth studio album in 2020. Brought to life by an all-female creative team, this song is a feminist anthem. It’s a statement to men that women need to be treated as equals.
“If you have a mother, daughter or a friend / Maybe it is time, time you comprehend / The world that you live in ain’t the same one as them / So don't punish me for not being a man”
In an interview with Vogue, Marina shared that she was largely inspired by “the shifts that are happening for people who are discriminated against” while writing the record. During the songwriting sessions for Man’s World, she envisioned a track about how women, LGBTQ+ individuals and other minority groups have been discriminated against throughout history going way back to the Salem witch trials — where any human who was deemed different was singled out from society.
Her husky vocals paints a dreamy scenery in the accompanying music video directed by Alexandra Gavillet, featuring Marina and a cast of female and nonbinary performers. Dressed in boldly coloured costumes, they dance in the midst of mountains as though they’re celebrating life — this accentuates the whimsical nature of the sun-kissed visuals.
“Mother Nature’s dying / Nobody’s keeping score / I don’t wanna live in a man’s world anymore,” she chants.
Purge The Poison follows suit, Marina channels frenetic energy as she tackles an overwhelming amount of social issues. Studded with heavy feminist imagery, this pop-rock track is one for the ages. Marina soars, quoting blatantly how women continue to be underrepresented in all walks of life, but it’s time to take control, she instructs.
“Like an angel gone to hell, cast the moon under our spell / Ownin’ female power, takin’ back what’s ours”
Then she fights for the planet and questions people who misuse their position of power with the lyrics, “Need to purge the poison from our system / Until human beings listen / Tell me, who’d you think you are?”
Purge The Poison is as energetic as the title track, the pop-rock music reflects the chaos on planet Earth and horrors of humanity which, lined with Marina’s bright vocals, delivers yet another bop for the listeners.
The album breaks with Highly Emotional People, introducing the soulful piano filled ballads. Her delicate voice swaying beautifully with the piano, this piece is a heartfelt commentary on toxic masculinity.
“People say men don’t cry / It’s much easier to just lie”
With New America Marina makes an upbeat comeback. She has more to say and this time she doesn’t spare it. From white privilege, racism to misogyny, she rages about the “failures of America”. The lyrics are literal and direct. “Who gave you jazz, hip hop, rock ‘n’ roll, and the blues?” she questions the country. She blames Americans further, “They’ve got blood on their hands / ’Cause they stole all the land”.
New America is a grand finisher to Marina’s blazing lyrical narrative on social injustice on this album — with the dramatic vocal arrangement and resonant strings tying all loose ends.
In Pandora’s Box Marina mulls over a personal heartbreak. This mellow track will soothe your soul as Marina treads on painful moments from her past and the fear of being betrayed. She coped by means of unhealthy addictions and still fights the demons from her past; “But I can never escape / The war inside my skull” her voice haunts.
I Love You But I Love Me More comes from a place of self-assurance as Marina realizes she doesn’t have to compromise herself for her relationship. Woven with her silken voice and minimal yet fine production, this ballad will calm your senses.
With a collection of piano ballads on this record, you’re bound to find one that’ll stay with you. Flowers would be that piece for me. Her husky voice resonates amidst the hushed keys. These ballads may tread on cliches of heartbreak but Marina leaves her touch, creating pieces that are vulnerable and profound.
The album closes with fittingly titled Goodbye. Melancholia flows through her soaring vocals as she waves “Goodbye to the girl that I’d been”. The melodic vibe hits off with her falsetto combined with the string section, creating a glorious ending to yet another legendary era for Marina.
Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land is revolutionary, in a way that Marina has never done before. Her melodies and vocal hooks are unlike anybody else but this record is a lot more. It is by far the most daring record she has ever created, unleashing everything she stands for.
Creating a collection of songs that range from pop-rock socio-political anthems to soulful piano ballads, her songs contrast each other, yet giving depth and dimension to not only what she faced on her own but also the struggles of the world at large. With intricate production woven into her empowering lyrics, her voice soars into the world. This is MARINA’s everlasting era.
‘Ancient Dreams In a Modern Land’ is out now via Atlantic Records.