aaamusic | On 28, Apr 2012

Ok, I don’t want to be cruel, or judge superficially, but that’s what I call a “sell out”.
Marina & the Diamonds changed their music roots and influences, passing from Tori Amos or Gwen Stefani with a touch of Dresden Dolls, to Katy Perry. The new single, Primadonna, taken from the album “Electra Heart” out on 30th April, is a plastic song, halfway between the sound of Russell Brand’s ex-wife and lady Ciccone, whose album was not very welcomed indeed.
Vocals are a bit distorted in a dance style, while the acoustic guitar is the only “true” instrument that tries to give the song a breath of life, just before the synth pumps up a heavy groove that makes a big fake the whole thing.
Lyrics could be read in a double way: they could be a harsh critic to the superficial lifestyle lived by Hollywood (or from everywhere) starlettes, but at the same time, they could seduce the teenagers who aspire to reach that status when they will be women. Whatever their attempt is, I’m sure that this single will be successful, precisely because it will attract the young.
If we talk about this single as a product, well, it’s a top-class one. It’s packaged perfectly, mixing the cutting-edge dance sounds of this period with seductive vocals. The result is a danceable song, that will be sent on the radio thousand times.
But if this is the best from Marina & the Diamonds new album I can say that I am not at all eager to hear more.

★★★★★

Author: Roberta Capuano