First Look: Marina & The Diamonds
Female singer-songwriters had a banner year in 2007, with figureheads in this post-Lily-Allen-or-whatever movement like Kate Nash and Laura Marling killing it with major label deals, sold out tours, critically acclaimed releases and all kinds of other next-level shit. 2008 seems to be yielding more of the same, with industry heads shitting themselves over the likes of Lykke Li, Florence & The Machine and other left-field pop talents of their ilk. One such artist who’s flown under the radar to this point is Marina & The Diamonds, but her star is very much on the rise and you better believe you’ll be hearing a lot more about the Welsh-born chanteuse in 2008.
More Kate Bush than Kate Nash, Marina writes, sings, records and produces haunting piano-based tracks in her bedroom and the results are totally ace. Though I’ve heard but a scant three tracks, I don’t think it’s too soon to declare her a special talent worth writing the fuck home about. Tracks like “We’ve Got Obsessions” and “Hermit The Frog” establish her as a beacon of hope in the oversaturated and increasingly dull London singer-songwriter scene, her endearing personality shining through in her winning lyricism, and her powerful vocals and excellent lo-fi production validating her as the total package. Below is “We’ve Got Obsessions”, arguably her strongest track and, somewhat surprisingly, my most listened to song of 2008. Vulnerable, beautiful and damn near perfect. I get chills every third listen or so when that part when the beat drops after the first verse hits.
MP3: “We’ve Got Obsessions” (Demo) - Marina & The Diamonds [exclusive]
April 10th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
great writeup! and great song… she’ll be on my watchlist
April 11th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Nice spot sir! Its the First look sections that really make this blog king… Keep up the good work and I shall reward you with internet points
April 11th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Cymru Am Byth
April 12th, 2008 at 5:42 am
[…] Good Weather For Airstrikes introduces us to Marina & The Diamonds. I like this one but I really can’t explain why. It’s Kate Nash/Lilly Allen/ etc., etc, etc. - but I’ve been playing ‘We’ve Got Obsessions’ again and again. See what you think and read the post [here] […]
April 13th, 2008 at 6:20 am
I picked up her EP when I was in Rough Trade East a while ago (it had a free sweet with it, who was I to resist?!)
it’s okay, she’ll definitely improve with time I think. The way she sings is interesting, and manages not to be annoying.
April 14th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I just love marina and the diamonds….can’t wait to hear more of her songs…hope it won’t be too long!
April 14th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
This girl is really special. “Obsessions” is a great track. Can’t seem to get it out of my head.
April 15th, 2008 at 10:40 am
There will come a time when people say Lily Allen et al sound like Marina, rather than the other way around. It will be well deserved.
April 15th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
She is absolutely awesome, cant believe she’s not signed!
I first listened to Hermit the Frog on her myspaxe and it is just so crazy and different, cant stop playing it. She reminds me of a young kate bush.
Well done to whoever found her and wrote this. Best music blog i’ve read in ages.