MARINA’s brand-new fifth-studio full-length album, Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land, plays on thought-provoking social commentary over her signature electro-pop sound.
It’s a catchy collection of tracks with a groovy production throughout that brings a lighting mood to the somewhat hard-hitting storytelling that will strike a cord taking aim at racism, misogyny, and capitalism.
Opening with title-track ‘Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land’ it’s coated in MARINA’s beautiful vocals with the alignment of the excellent electro-pop production which adds flavour to the brilliant melodies
On the tongue-in-cheek self-empowering track ‘Venus Fly Trap’ this finds MARINA showcasing her most personal material to-date when she sings, “Nothing in this world could change me.”
‘Man’s World’ is an important track for the current times we live in. As MARINA is a feminist, LGBTQ+ supporter, and climate change activist, in this particular song she documents the a strong message about the world we live in. “Mother nature’s dying / Nobody’s keeping score / I don’t wanna live in a man’s world anymore”, she sings in the chorus.
‘Purge the Poison’ has 80's pop-rock flavours with blunt political observations throughout the track with heavy feminist imagery becoming an earworm dance anthem.
‘Highly Emotional People’ begins with a piano number before MARINA’s vocal shows face in a delicate manner.
‘New America’ is a bouncy pop number with many blunt lines like, “Blood on their hands ’cause they stole all the land.”
‘Pandora’s Box’ has a melancholy, melodic energy to it with its fresh synth-pop arrangement.
‘I Love You But I Love Me More’ is a striking break-up song with excellent songwriting abilities from MARINA.
‘Flowers’ is a whimsical track showcasing hollowing vocals from MARINA with intentional thought-provoking lyricism that bring the album nicely along with a great flow present.
Closing out the album with another dramatic ballad dominated by piano ‘Goodbye’ finds MARINA’s spiraling vocal twangs enlighten the listener once more with unfiltered lyricism.
Delivering an uptempo electro-pop album mixed with themes of the dark and ugly truths many face in today’s world with global warming, misogyny, heartbreak, and racism, Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land, is an important release with powerful storytelling and her most well connected art to-date.
Although there’s many lingering feelings of hopelessness throughout the album, there’s many empowering moments where MARINA lifts the listener back up. It’s clear to see how she was motivated by the mistreatment of women and LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history, noting her further inspiration from the Salem Witch Trials. It’s a satisfying listen from beginning to end becoming an outrageously brilliant release and addition to her music discography.
The 10-track album overall shines through and through and will touch the listener in a delicate way especially more so in the second half when the introspective ballads pull on the heartstrings with the sad and dark lyricism that proudly showcases MARINA’s effortless talents as a musician.
Words by Danielle Holian
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