FROOT - track by track review.
'Happy': The opening track of the album definitely sets the tone for the rest of the album. Marina has found happiness in her life. Maybe even finally found herself (as an artist). The song is light and uplifting, very different from the 'Electra Heart' album. 'Happy' is a wonderful track, definitely one of the highlights on the album. It's very melodic and has a nostalgic feeling. It's good to hear Marina's softer and happier side.
'FROOT': A masterpiece. Musically and lyrically. There's something about the track that makes me want to hear it over and over again. It's that catchy without being repetitive. I love her vocals on this one too, she uses her light voice in the verses and switches to her dark (deeper) voice in the chorus. Lyrically, it's one of the strongest on the album. Also very smart. She describes herself as a fruit ready to be picked, which can be a metaphor for both a relationship or the state of her career/hunger for fame. Genius and not cliche. Also love how she refers to the Mommie Dearest movie with the
'This ain't my first time at the rodeo' line.
I'm A Ruin' For me, the song is about not being honest to a lover. I think Marina has the upper hand in the relationship and that she's not honest to her partner about her feelings. He wants more, she wants out. Only Marina can sing about these issues with such a sweet voice. She sounds like honey. So sweet and innocent. The song is about shame and pain, but is so light and catchy (
yeah, uh uh, ooooh, yeaaah') it sounds like a lovesong. Amazing track that gets better with each play. Again, her vocals. Heaven. The video is amazing too. Simple, but beautiful.
'Blue' This sounds like a song radio would eat up, probably because of the drum rolls. One of the few real uptempo's on the album. I think that's why it reminds me of the 'Electra Heart' album. This is the kind of song I expected from her on this record. It's a good track, but I'm glad she didn't record 12 songs like it for 'FROOT'.
'Forget' This song could've been on 'Electra Heart'. It sounds like a song that was recorded during that era, but got a retouch of happiness for the 'FROOT' album. That's the main difference between EH and F, I guess: lot of songs on EH were really bitter at times (lyrically) where the songs on F are (bitter)sweet. There's a silver lining now. I think 'Blue' will sounds amazing live. It kind of feels like an anthem, mainly because of the catchy chorus. I'd love to see her perform a rockier version of this during her concerts. Guitars and all.
'Gold' I think 'Gold' is my least favourite song on the album. It's not that I don't like it, it's just that the song's quite safe and somewhat predictable. To me, it sounds more like a long interlude. She could've left it off the album and put a different song on in instead. Oh well.
'Can't Pin Me Down' This song is about Marina's role in the music industry, I think. Everyone expects something from her, but she just wants to make the music she likes to make. She wants to be herself, not some industry clown. Marina has stated she doesn't care for chart success or her songs becoming hit singles. She made 'FROOT' because she wanted to make 'FROOT'. I think CPMD is the anthem of her creative independence. It's also a catchy track. I can imagine a great video for it, Marina playing a doll who rebels against the system. Lol.
'Solitaire' Beautiful track. The instrumental part of the song is very relaxing. The combination with Marina's hypnotic voice make the song a true gem. Lyrically, I feel like this might be the most personal song on the album. Especially the last verse is very revealing. [i]'I'm not cursed, I was just covered in the dirt'[/b]. Another prove Marina has truly found herself on this record.
'Better Than That' Marina used to be the girl (Electra Heart) she sings about in this song. She's matured, so she knows better now. I think. 'Better Than That' is definitely an earworm, especially because of the catchy chorus. She sings with her dark/deep voice again. The song has an '80s vibe for me, very classic. Again, a rockier version would probably slay.
'Weeds' This reminds me of 'Fear And Loathing' on 'Electra Heart', but again more uplifting. I must say I do prefer FAL though. Still, a good track that will definitely become a fan favourite over time. I must admit it yet has to grow on me. I like it, can hear it's a big track, bit it hasn't clicked with me as much as most of the other songs. Hopefully I will learn to love it more.
'Savages' This is amazing. The Marina I fell in love with. Definitely a highlight on the album. To me, it proves (once again) Marina is much more than just another pop singer. She's a true artist that does not only write her own songs, but also knows how to capture big problems of her generation in these songs. Without being cliche, without pointing fingers. She's done it before on 'Teen Idle' (about teenage life, peer pressure, suicide) and 'Living Dead' (depression, feeling numb, not living life to the fullest) for example.
I thought 'Savages' was about the thread of terror and about the fact that we live in a society that can be so f*cked up at times. About the fact that people are so convinced of their own beliefs that they put it above the morals and values of others with no hesitation of hurting or even killing. Savages. I now think the theme of the song's even bigger. It's about we're all being savages in the end, because we all put our own happiness above that of others.
I hope she will shoot a killer video for this.
'Immortals' The perfect song to close the album. 'Immortal' puts life in perspective. We all crave for eternity in life, we don't want the good things to change or end. We want eternal love and happiness and we want to be remembered. But, we're not immortal so it will end one day. No matter who you are or what you achieved. Such a beautiful track. To me, the song's a wake up call to live life to the fullest. We're here now, so we should make it last.
That's just my two cents