The anti-pop star: Marina and the Diamonds concert review

Marina and the Diamonds performing "Hollywood" off of 2010's "The Family Jewels." The concert was split in three parts to correspond with Marina's three studio albums. 

The Princess of Wales, Marina Diamandis, arrived in Boston for a sold out concert at House of Blues on Wednesday, November 4. The Welsh princess is better known for her stage name Marina and the Diamonds and played an outstanding show on the unseasonably warm fall night. The singer-songwriter had a three-part show last night, each part of the show corresponding with her albums, even having three outfit changes which consisted of a lot of sparkles, capes and a headband with cherries on it (a Marina signature).

Marina is the anti-pop star. She might give a Beyonce-esque show (but at a fourth of the cost) but she is more than the average “bubblegum bitch.” Marina's albums are real and raw and emotional. Her lyrics come from everything she has experienced and dealt with in her life (they make me feel something which is really something because I don’t usually feel anything). Even when listening to the albums on repeat, I find myself taking a mental step back because Marina can really hit you hard with a lyric.

Her first album titled “The Family Jewels,” released in 2010, features the hit “Hollywood,” a song about making it in America, and “Obsessions,” the song that got the singer signed. Her second album “Electra Heart” was released in 2012 and features Marina’s most popular song “Primadonna.” “Froot” is Marina’s third album was just released in March.

It’s hard to describe Marina and the Diamonds’ sound or genre. I called her a “more fun Sky Ferreira” because she sings and writes about the same issues as Ferreira, between depression, sadness, love, loss and being a teenager. I even tried to call Marina’s sound electronic-pop but that felt even more wrong. I, of course, want to call it pop music but there is a certain toxic feeling associated with pop music, as if it’s not music to be taken seriously or considered for airheads. Sure, most pop music is, but Marina is different. Marina’s genre is Marina. She is the anti-pop star.

Marina has crystal-clear vocals on her albums, the sound being literally flawless at times, and Marina carried the same crystal-clear vocals to the stage last night. Marina’s voice is girly and sassy (to match her lyrics) but also deep and sultry at times when she needs it to be. The perfect combination. At one point I thought she must be lip-syncing because she sounded completely perfect but then I realized Marina has been through too much to even think about lip-syncing. She’s too perfect for that nonsense.

I have been a fan of Marina since I was a junior in high school, when “Electra Heart” was released. Her lyrics have always resonated with me. Marina is the voice of a generation of sad girls. But her songs aren’t sad. They are about recovery and moving forward and everything she has learned by what she has gone through. Marina’s songs make me want to both jump and dance with my best friends but also cry into their shoulders because the lyrics are that powerful.

My freshman year of college I cut my long curls short in an attempt like Marina did in her video for “Fear and Loathing.” Now her hair is long and my hair is a longer now so I couldn’t help thinking I should have been Marina for Halloween (as I have dressed up as many other music divas on occasion). Marina is one of my badass female feminist role models. Last night I was so excited for the concert and jumped and danced to every song. Marina has taught me a lot about life and myself. Most importantly she taught me how to be a heartbreaker.