Marina discusses new album criticisms

[Stef 61,645]

 

[thewho 928]

I understand and feel this at such an intimate and vulnerable level in my heart. This album is a poem, its poetic diary entries shared with the entire world - can you imagine the catastrophic psychological effects this can have on a person's mental health? 

I used to be an active musician. Like her, my mental health deteriorated from constant personal criticisms and always feeling like whatever I do was never enough. It's hard communicating yourself so openly and becoming so vulnerable at the risk of this kind of stuff. For me, it took at trip to Belgium and get turned away from graduate school funding to realize that I got tired of it. I took a long break from music, two years now, and I honestly don't know if I will ever return. (Especially including the fact that my hearing health has greatly improved since then and I have no intention to regain my awful chronic tinnitus.) I switched careers to software engineering and haven't looked back since.

I wish I could pick up my phone and call her, or even fly over to Whales (or wherever she is) to hug her and say "girl, I'm with you. All artists are with you. We are all in this together." Her album, Love + Fear, was so personal to me, particularly tracks like Too Afraid, Soft to be Strong, Enjoy your Life, To Be Human, and Handmade Heaven. They speak so elegantly about mental health and questioning the roles we play and others play in our lives. 

I love you Marina. 

[Bio 23,538]

I didn't like the album that much but admire her honesty and openness about her artistry and feelings. Hope she feels better.

[SpiritBunny 3,494]

She seems so sweet and honest. It's a shame the album wasn't more interesting but hope she's happy with it in the end. 

[imnotyourbabe10 6,102]

Say what you want about the production or the sound, the lyrics (for the most part) are pretty wonderful and on par with her previous themes around the psychology of relationships and humanity as a whole.

Especially when she meshed them together in this post:

[Phaye Monster 8,741]

I think people who think the album is "too simple" have missed the point completely. A lot of criticism for this album comes from not understanding it properly.

I just want to hug the woman and comfort her, I can't imagine the stress she's going through right now. She's brought me so much happiness in my life and I would do anything to repay it. I really admire her openness about this, too. No matter how much positivity we send her way, it's the negativity that'll stick out to her the most. I wish there was a way to make the whole album cycle easier for her.

[IAmNotHere1997 25,824]

Marina no 

I think she should just become a completely independent artist. No manager, no label, nothing. Just put out whatever music you want, whenever you want. People are calling her underrated just because she lacks commercial succes, that's all. But it seems like this thing is really affecting her. And it also looks like this industry is kinda not made for her, at all. Like, you need to be f**cking bold. If you start acting like a crybaby just because people have not understood your art properly it won't take you too far, and it won't do good for your mental health either.

[SHALLOW 16,443]

I loved it and could relate a lot to it tbh. It made me feel like we were living the same things at the same time.

[Supersonic 49,376]

9 minutes ago, Phaye Monster said:

I think people who think the album is "too simple" have missed the point completely. A lot of criticism for this album comes from not understanding it properly.

I just want to hug the woman and comfort her, I can't imagine the stress she's going through right now. She's brought me so much happiness in my life and I would do anything to repay it. I really admire her openness about this, too. No matter how much positivity we send her way, it's the negativity that'll stick out to her the most. I wish there was a way to make the whole album cycle easier for her.

I think the album being "simple" was the point of it really. I think she came to the conclusion leading your life in the most simple & truthful way, is the most rewarding way. Just Handmade Heaven alone is like... a cry of help from somebody who is overwhelmed by the endless nuances of modern life, is overwhelmed by the restlessness and craves serenity, peace, being one with nature. Personally, I think that track alone should exempt the album from any criticism because that's like... the most truthful thing I have ever heard in my entire life and I think any person with just a shred of self awareness can relate to this.

[Suspiria 10,683]

I don't know... like I get it must be hard to get criticism for something you're really proud of. But at the same time, should we praise it if it's not that great? Especially if we know she's capable of so much more? Compared to her previous albums the lyrics and message were a lot less profound, and a lot more generic, filled with vague and meaningless clichés (and I'm confident in saying this as it seems most critics and fans agree).

If we go around celebrating mediocrity just so the artist's feelings don't get hurt, will they ever strive to be better?

[Kimmo 80,990]

So if you’re so true to yourself why get distracted by criticism? 

By responding she’s pretty much validating everyone’s opinion that the album isn’t good...or has high standards... She was doing so good by avoiding it and enjoying herself on tour but no... is obvious that “validation” and critics success is still important for Her even after saying that it isn’t .... 

 

[ThomastheMonster 288]

Ugh I feel so sad for her. People that say this album isn’t great lyrically or it isn’t profound as her last albums, I’m not sure what they’re listening to. Handmade Heaven, Enjoy Your Life, To Be Human, Believe In Love, Life Is Strange,  Emotional Machine, No More Suckers, Too Afraid, and Soft To Be Strong all have such depth and meaning. Questioning life, questioning love, questioning purpose, questioning the modern days we live in. How do people not get that? I get that if you put work out there you can’t let criticism affect you as others have said, but that doesn’t mean she’s seeking validation. She’s a human, with feelings. She’s highly sensitive. I wish her fans that started stanning her during Electra Heart would like .... move on from the fact that she isn’t that girl and she isn’t going to make an album like that anymore bc it wasn’t her. And if they want that music hey can go listen to Katy Perry. I just feel for her so bad 😪 how can she continue music if the industry brings her down so much? 

[ThomastheMonster 288]

1 hour ago, Kimmo said:

So if you’re so true to yourself why get distracted by criticism? 

By responding she’s pretty much validating everyone’s opinion that the album isn’t good...or has high standards... She was doing so good by avoiding it and enjoying herself on tour but no... is obvious that “validation” and critics success is still important for Her even after saying that it isn’t .... 

 

How is she validating that it’s not good? Just cause the criticism hurts her....?

[Lucas 27,303]

She should stop reading comments about her music imo. The net is a toxic places for artists

[LAS22 60]

I will defend and cherish this album until the day I die. Seeing some of the reactions to it has been baffling, disheartening, and slightly infuriating for me so I can only imagine how she feels.