Marina’s sixth studio album opens with the title track, Princess of Power - a sumptuous mix of swelling strings, soaring vocals, a pulsing beat - and disarmingly vulnerable lyrics; “I confuse love with control / love with manipulation / my past has taken its toll…I’ve been hurt by those who were supposed to treat me right”, before declaring that she has had a revelation, and is going to change her life, embracing her new identity and stepping into her future as the princess of power. This sentiment is perfectly befitting an opener for her first album as an independent artist, having set up her own label, Queenie Records, following the completetion of her contract with Atlantic Records. The overall sound of both the title track, and the album as a whole, is at once nostalgic and futuristic, jubilant and contemplative. Rather than clashing, grating, or cancelling each other out, all of these seemingly contrasting elements work together, somehow harmonious in their incongruity.

Similarly, this is an album where the many versions of Marina, past, present and future, coexist and compliment each other. In the super fun, “Hollaback Girl” reminiscent Rollercoaster, Marina goes from cheekily speak-singing about her sexual fantasies to singing an Ave Maria style soprano refrain, her vocals ascending like the titular rollercoaster, with one recurring line in the song being "I don't wanna live if I can’t be honest”. It’s totally bonkers, but makes complete sense. Marina has spoken of writing this album whilst exploring themes of introspection, healing, empowerment, and confronting and embracing her fear of love. These themes come through loud and clear, without ever feeling heavy or preachy. 

Standout tracks include the ABBA-esque Everybody Knows I’m Sad (ABBA themselves of course being pioneers of the devastating lyrics/banging disco beats combo), the audacious, epic call to arms Cuntissimo, and Digital Fantasy, a dreamy, punchy track with shades of La Roux and Ace of Base. Hello Kitty provides some silly fun, all dreamy vocals and cat puns - "admire you from afar / hunt you like a jaguar / respect my space, it’s not like me to attack / you can come back to my place, but you must like cats.”  Adult Girl, the penultimate track, sees Marina reflecting on her childhood and adolescence, the stripped back production allowing the strikingly plaintive lyrics to take centre stage, while the album closer Final Boss is a satisfying, video-game inspired musical middle-finger to all who have wronged her.

The initials of Princess of Power abbreviating to P.O.P is fitting, as Marina’s sixth album is pure pop perfection. In an age in which newer pop girlies like Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter have recently been dominating, Marina holds her own, offering a unique perspective as a 39 year old woman with almost two decades of experience in the music industry under her belt. Princess of Power is a deeply personal album, at once mature and youthful, euphoric and melancholic, and cements Marina's status as not only a true princess of power, but of pop, too.

Share this article
The link has been copied!