After first hearing about her new album last August, our patience is finally rewarded this week with the release of Marina and the Diamonds' Electra Heart.
In case you weren't aware, we're already quite the fans of the LP, which was co-produced by the likes of Dr Luke, Diplo and Greg Kurstin.
With the album already storming up the iTunes chart, we gave Marina a call to find out whether she is suffering any release-week nerves, her plans to take the album to America and what she makes of One Direction's world domination.
What are you doing at the moment?
"I'm just watching some bum TV at the moment and then I'm off to rehearsals."
What's bum TV?
"The Wright Stuff. I filmed Graham Norton yesterday evening and needed some easy TV this morning. It was great, I was sitting with Joey from Friends and Zac Efron - what more could I need in life?"
Were you annoyed that 'Primadonna' missed the Top 10 at the last minute?
"I was ousted at the end of the week by Justin Bieber. It's a typical week in the life of Marina - getting kicked out by the person whose song you've just covered on [Radio 1] Live Lounge! It's the highest charting single so far so I'm really pleased."
Has it changed your opinion of Bieber's song?
"Not at all. I like him a lot. I wanted to drop a 'swaggee' in the middle of my cover, but I forgot."
Carly Rae Jepsen is number one at the moment with 'Call Me Maybe'. Are you a fan of the song?
"It's weird - everyone knows I'm a huge pop fan, but I think I find that song a bit too happy for me and for once I don't get why something is so huge. I love the video, though."
Are you excited to finally have your album out?
"I'm so excited! I feel like I've waited my whole life for this - it's been so long! It's not like I've been away for ages - I've been feeding new music and images on Tumblr - but I'm going to feel very relieved when it's finally out. I finished the album last October."
Have you recorded anything new since then?
"I haven't actually. I had a very clear idea of what I wanted the album to be. The references and imagery around it are very specific. I've not been in the frame of mind to record anything new for a while."
Do you have any favourite songs on the record yet?
"'Bubblegum Bitch' and 'Teen Idle' I'm really desperate for people to hear. We're deciding on the next single this week and I have no idea what I want to put out next! There are two or three that are up for debate."
Have you read any reviews yet?
"I've read one in Attitude which was nice, but no others yet. I turned off my Google alerts in 2009 as I learnt that following yourself on the internet very quickly becomes unhealthy. Reviews are funny things, they don't dictate whether it's going to be liked or not. I know I'm like Marmite - some journalists will get it and others won't. I'm sure my management will send me all the nice ones, though!"
You've worked with some big name producers on the record. Are there plans to take it to the US?
"Definitely. I think it's going to fare better out there than the first album. I wrote it there and the lyrics were inspired by '60/'70s domestic America - they've almost got the concept behind it a bit quicker than the UK. My US tickets have sold really quickly for the first time ever, which is exciting!"
A lot of UK acts are doing well in America at the moment - are you a fan of One Direction?
"I'm afraid not! I live in a weird bubble where some stuff just doesn't touch me at all, even though they're massive. Do you have them on your iPod?"
Yes, we do.
"Really!? I just don't get it. Maybe I have a cold, black heart or something. It might be that I don't like major chords in songs - I like menacing minor chords. I love Selena Gomez - she's got loads of them."
Have you been watching The Voice UK?
"I haven't, but I've been hearing a lot about it. Those singing battles would terrify me! I couldn't handle that intense showcasing of your voice. I'd be kicked out after one minute - I've only recently become a more confident performer. Hang on a minute, the post has arrived."
Anything good?
"No. When you travel all the time you never get any good post."
What can we expect from your upcoming tour?
"The stage is being designed to look like a living room with kitsch '60s furniture. It looks great and I seriously can't wait to get on the road."
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