Album Review: Marina and the Diamonds – The Family Jewels

Marina Diamadis is a Welsh/Greek singer-songwriter who has recently taken the UK by storm with her hit single “Hollywood“. Tomorrow she releases her debut album “The Family Jewels” in the UK, and it’s bloody brilliant.

Marina has received critical acclaim since the release of her debut single “Obsessions“/”Mowgli’s Road” and came second only to Ruckus favourite Ellie Goulding in the 2010 Brit awards Critic’s Choice award. Her stunning looks and distinctive voice have lead to her being given a great deal of attention in the mainstream press, but she is far more than just a pretty face, as her album reveals.

Opening track “Are you satisfied” sets the tone for this seemingly heavily autobiographical album, and seems to set forth Marina’s reason d’être. It is easy to see why she is often slotted into the current synth pop trend in UK music that encompasses bands such as Ou Est Le Swimming Pool and solo stars such as La Roux and Ellie Goulding. Her upbeat rifts and singing style make this an album to dance to, but this is interspersed with songs which show Marina’s more instrospective side such as “I’m not a robot“.

Current single “Hollywood” is guaranteed to make me smile and get me dancing, and it’s stunning video has been a talking point amongst my friends for some time now. My favourite track has to be “The Outsider” and after just a couple of listens to it I was singing along and including it on my “wake me up” ipod playlist.

I love the way Marina manages to weave thoughtful lyrics into dance music rifts and beats, her use of language is very clever at times and leads to an album which I am sure I will be listening to for some time.

“The Family Jewels” is available from the 22nd of February on 679 Recordings