"Karma"
Single by Marina
from the album Love + Fear
Released29 August 2019 (2019-08-29)
StudioClub Ralph (London)
GenrePop
Length3:24
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Marina singles chronology
"To Be Human"
(2019)		 "Karma"
(2019)		 "About Love"
(2020)
Music video
"Karma" on YouTube

"Karma" is a song by Welsh singer and songwriter Marina from her fourth studio album, Love + Fear (2019). Marina's former boyfriend Jack Patterson produced the song alongside Mark Ralph. It was written by Marina, Ben Berger, Ryan McMahon, Ryan Rabin, and Patterson. The song was released for streaming in the United States as the album's fifth and final single on 29 August 2019 by Atlantic Records. Marina was inspired by the Me Too movement and the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse cases when writing the song, although she was not initially aware of the inspiration. It is a pop song with a tropical beat, which lyrically describes a woman confronting a man, insisting he will eventually receive his karma.

"Karma" received mixed reviews from music critics. Some felt the song recalled Marina's earlier works, while other critics found it unmemorable. An acoustic version of the song was released on Marina's sixth EP, Love + Fear (Acoustic) (2019). A music video using the acoustic version was released in September 2019. Directed by Nikko LaMere, the video features Marina portraying a black-and-white jester who dances. The original version of the song was included on the setlist of her fourth concert tour, the Love + Fear Tour (2019). Marina also performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in September 2019 as part of a promotional appearance in the US.

Background and release

For proceeding with a new era, Marina announced via Twitter in 2018 that she would be dropping "and the Diamonds" from her stage name in order to release music as just Marina (stylised in all caps). She explained that to Dazed, "It took me well over a year to figure out that a lot of my identity was tied up in who I was as an artist... and there wasn't much left of who I was."[1] After the announcement, Marina released "Baby" with Clean Bandit and Luis Fonsi, her first single under the new name.[2] On 14 February 2019, she announced Love + Fear, her fourth studio album and first as Marina.[3] The track listing for the album was unveiled the same day, revealing "Karma" as the twelfth track on the album and the fourth on the Fear portion of it.[4]

Conceptually, Love + Fear is a double album that is made up of two segments, with each one referring to psychologist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross' theory that humans are only capable of experiencing the aforementioned two emotions.[5] "Karma" appears on the Fear portion of the album, which explores themes such as "being taken advantage of" and sexism.[6] The song was produced by Marina's boyfriend Jack Patterson, of British group Clean Bandit, and Mark Ralph. It was written by Marina, Ben Berger, Ryan McMahon, Ryan Rabin, and Patterson. Marina performed her vocals for the track at Ralph's private home recording studios in London, nicknamed Club Ralph.[7]

"Karma" was released on 26 April 2019, as the twelfth track on Marina's fourth studio album Love + Fear.[8] For its release as a single, the song was sent to music distributor Spotify in the United States for streaming on 29 August 2019, through Atlantic Records. The single release of the song uses the same cover artwork as Love + Fear.[9] An acoustic version of "Karma" was recorded by Marina and featured as the third track on her sixth EP Love + Fear (Acoustic), released on 13 September 2019.[10] The version was produced by English musician Benjamin Fletcher.[11]

Lyrics and composition

A color photograph of producer and sex offender Harvey Weinstein at a red carpet event.
Lyrically, "Karma" was inspired by the sexual abuse cases surrounding American producer and convicted sex offender Harvey Weinstein (shown).

During an interview with Apple Music, Marina revealed the backstories behind each of the 16 tracks on Love + Fear. Regarding "Karma", she stated that the song's lyrical content was subconsciously inspired by the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse cases and the consequential viral response that came with the Me Too movement. Marina said that the initial idea for the song's subject matter came from a discussion she previously had with her producers regarding various "music industry individuals that were falling from grace."[8] Certain critical commentary discussed how Marina, in 2016, was among several pop artists that stood up in defense of American singer Kesha throughout a lengthy series of lawsuits and countersuits against record producer Dr. Luke; Marina had previously worked with him on her single "Primadonna" (2012) and other songs that are included on her second studio album, Electra Heart (2012).[12][13][14] In her interview with Apple Music, Marina continued:

Since that point, there's really been an explosion of cases and experiences that followed the Harvey Weinstein situation. I didn't really think about that in relation to the song for a while, but then when we were reproducing it, it felt so strange. It was interesting going back to the songs, actually.[8]

The lyrics of "Karma" see Marina confronting an enemy with a "told-you-so" attitude as she sings: "I'm like, 'Oh my god / I think it's karma.'"[15] Brittany Spanos from Rolling Stone felt like Marina was describing misogyny in the lyrics, which she noted as a common theme explored on the Fear portion of the album.[6] Musically, "Karma" is a pop song, with a "Mediterranean" tropical-style beat.[16] Marina sings in falsetto, being accompanied by instruments such as the mandolin and ukulele.[7][17] Stylistically, the original version of the song differed a great deal in comparison to the final edit; Marina compared the original to the catalogue of American band NSYNC and commented: "It was actually really sick. But, alas, it didn't suit the record!"[8]

Critical reception

Imaan Jalali from LA Excites paid special attention to the song's lyrics, writing that they "reiterated Marina's lyrical assertiveness as one who is not to be reckoned with."[16] Abigail Firth of The Line of Best Fit commented that the sound of Love + Fear is drastically different compared to her previous three albums, but admitted that her "signature Marina-isms" and "'oh my god!'s on 'Karma' mean she's not too far from the Marina we came to love a decade ago."[17] Although Ben Niesen from Atwood Magazine called the song "too damnably infectious," he felt that its "menacing" tone fell flat in comparison to Marina's previous releases.[18] The acoustic version of the song was reviewed by Riana Buchman from WRBB, who was less impressed by the song, stating that the new versions of "Karma" and "Superstar" sound like "drab copies of the originals" and ultimately ended up "clutter[ing]" Love + Fear (Acoustic).[19]

Promotion

A color photograph of Marina performing live with backup singers and singing into a microphone.
Marina performing "Karma" while accompanied by two backup singers and a live band during the Love + Fear Tour in September 2019.

A music video for the acoustic version of "Karma" was released to Marina's YouTube channel on 25 September 2019.[20] The video is the final of three to be released for promoting Love + Fear (Acoustic) and was filmed during the last week of August 2019; it was preceded by the acoustic visuals for "Superstar" and "True".[21] All three videos were directed by American photographer Nikko LaMere and produced by AJR Films.[22][23] The music video depicts Marina as a black-and-white jester that dances and wears an "asymmetrical jumpsuit with frilly cuffs and [a] sparkly corset."[24]

Marina appeared as a musical guest for Jimmy Kimmel Live! on 4 September 2019, where she performed "Karma" in a similar wardrobe as seen in the acoustic version's music video. The performance featured her dancing while near a glowing, white orb. According to Lake Schatz from Consequence of Sound, Marina's appearance on the show was to promote Love + Fear (Acoustic) in addition to the album and her upcoming tour dates for the Love + Fear Tour in the US. He found the performance to be exceptional, writing that "she took the stage exuding confidence and polish," and her "four-year hiatus dedicated to self-discovery appears to have paid off."[25]

"Karma" was included on the set list for Marina's Love + Fear Tour in 2019. During the North American leg of the tour, it was performed within a grouping of songs, including 2015 Froot outtake "I'm Not Hungry Anymore", her 2010 single "Oh No!", and Love + Fear track "No More Suckers".[16][26] Jalali, reviewing Marina's show at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, called her rendition of "Karma" one of the main Love + Fear tracks of the night that "did not disappoint."[16]

Credits and personnel

References

  1. ↑ Greenwood, Douglas (31 January 2019). "My name is Marina". Dazed. Archived from the original on 5 February 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  2. ↑ Irvin, Jack (16 November 2018). "Song You Need to Know: Clean Bandit feat. Marina and Luis Fonsi, 'Baby'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  3. ↑ "Marina Announces Double Album 'Love + Fear,' Tour Dates". Billboard. 14 February 2019. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  4. ↑ Daly, Rhian (15 February 2019). "Marina of And The Diamonds fame announces new album 'Love + Fear' and tour". NME. Archived from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  5. ↑ Solomon, Kate (25 April 2019). "Marina, Love + Fear review: An album that probes deep, universal insecurities". The Independent. Archived from the original on 30 April 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  6. 1 2 Spanos, Brittany (2 May 2019). "The Reeducation of Marina Diamandis". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 6 May 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  7. 1 2 3 Love + Fear (CD liner notes). Marina. Atlantic Records. 2019. 0190295478711.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. 1 2 3 4 References regarding the release of Love + Fear on Apple Music:
  9. ↑ "Karma" (Spotify digital single). Marina. Atlantic Records. 29 August 2019. Spotify URI: 43ZmGWH3Q02c4bpRRgdv0w.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ↑ "Marina – Love + Fear Acoustic EP". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  11. ↑ "Marina – Love + Fear Acoustic EP: Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 29 June 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  12. ↑ Guth, Dana (9 March 2016). "Marina Diamandis Unleashes Girl Power, Defends Kesha on Twitter". Nylon. Archived from the original on 15 May 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  13. ↑ Feeney, Nolan (8 March 2016). "Marina and the Diamonds Speaks Out on Kesha's Legal Battle: 'She Will Win in the End'". Time. Archived from the original on 16 May 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  14. ↑ Bacher, Danielle (10 March 2016). "The Saga of Kesha, Dr. Luke and a Mother's Fight: 'He Almost Destroyed Us' (Exclusive)". Billboard. Archived from the original on 19 June 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  15. ↑ Stone, Avery (22 April 2019). "Marina Tells the Story of Her New Name". Nylon. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  16. 1 2 3 4 Jalali, Imaan (5 October 2019). "Concert Review: Marina Sings Tall & Proud at the Greek Theatre During Her Love + Fear Tour". LA Excites. Archived from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  17. 1 2 Firth, Abigail (26 April 2019). "Marina takes a bold new step on Love + Fear, and it (mostly) pays off". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  18. ↑ Niesen, Ben (29 July 2019). "Requiem for a Poor Mathô: A Review of Marina's 'Love + Fear'". Atwood Magazine. Archived from the original on 25 August 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
  19. ↑ Buchman, Riana (26 September 2019). "Marina's acoustic take on 'Love + Fear' misses the mark". WRBB. Archived from the original on 26 October 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  20. 1 2 "Marina – Karma [Acoustic Video]". YouTube. 25 September 2019. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  21. ↑ "Marina on Transforming 'Love + Fear' Songs for Acoustic EP: It 'Felt Very Natural'". Billboard. 13 September 2019. Archived from the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  22. ↑ "Motion". Nikko La Mere. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  23. ↑ "Karma". AJR Films. Archived from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  24. ↑ Stubblebine, Allison (25 September 2019). "Marina Is a Sad, Sparkly Jester in New Acoustic Video for 'Karma'". Nylon. Archived from the original on 8 September 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  25. ↑ Schatz, Lake (4 September 2019). "Marina Performs 'Karma' on Kimmel: Watch". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on 5 December 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  26. ↑ Gokhman, Roman (6 October 2019). "Review: Marina Diamandis leaves the Diamonds behind at the Masonic". Riff. Archived from the original on 7 October 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
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