Music Monday: Electra Heart

There is no one song for this instalment of Music Monday. This time 'round I'm showcasing an entire album.

Marina and the Diamonds' sophomore record Electra Heart dropped about a week ago, debuting at number one in the UK and Ireland. Looking at the state of pop music, it's easy to see why. Marina has a standout voice, though at times she can pull off a pretty close sound to Katy Perry. It's a break-up album, like Adele's 21, but many of the songs are bass-driven electropop dance anthems. Yah, that's about the best way to describe what's going on here.

I'm also happy to report that we play one of the songs at work, which really isn't too much of a surprise seeing as it was the Gap who introduced me to Marina and the Diamonds in the first place a few years back. As kitschy and inappropriate as it can be sometimes, the Gap really does do a good job staying on top of the scene with its soundtrack.

Anyway, Marina is nice enough to stream a few of the full tracks from Electra Heart on her Soundcloud account. You won't get to hear one of my favourite off the album, though: "Living Dead." For that, hit up iTunes or your favourite record store - online or off - and pick up the full album.

Music Monday: Actually, her Name's Marina

It's a little sad to say, but I've loved Marina & the Diamonds ever since first hearing the song Hollywood (Fenec Soler Remix) on the Gap soundtrack at work. Soon after I got a hold of the album two other tracks made it onto the store soundtrack, causing a slight overdose on Marina that summer.

A year later I'm still just as fond of the group, particularly the titular singer's voice, and delighted that Last.fm recommended this track to me as a free download. I had never heard it before a few days ago, but I fell into that same immediate adoration as with Hollywood.

Y'see, I really like some of 3OH!3's work as well, particularly this song. The way that Marina & the Diamonds covers it though is so incredibly different, taking the tempo down and stripping the electronic sounds away for an acoustic jam session instead.

So take a listen, and if you like it hop over to Last.fm for the download link while they're still offering it.