MARINA - Orange Trees - Single [Review]

Welsh/Greek indie pop musician Marina Diamandis (known professionally simply as MARINA) released her third single (technically fourth if one counts her collaboration with Clean Bandit titled "Baby" - which I reviewed here) "Orange Trees" from her upcoming fourth studio album LOVE + FEAR. With "Orange Trees" now being released, MARINA fans (referred to as diamonds) have now heard the first four tracks from the LOVE portion of the album. (The album will consist of sixteen tracks in two collections of eight tracks each.) I have seen some diamonds (probably somewhat jokingly) say that MARINA should change her professional name to Marina and the Bandits since, based on what we have heard thus far from the album, she does seem to largely be making a move toward more upbeat and electronic music (such as her aforementioned collaboration with Clean Bandit, hence the joke), especially in comparison to the quieter indie pop-rock that we got from most of FROOT (her third studio album). Although she is not new to electronic music (especially since her second studio album, Electra Heart, is an electropop album through and through), it does seem like LOVE + FEAR will be offering a more urban and clubby MARINA than diamonds are perhaps used to. The last single "Superstar" (which I reviewed here) and this single "Orange Trees" are both examples of songs that feature prominently urban beats and rhythms, which is definitely pretty new territory for MARINA. "Orange Trees" is somewhat similar to the aforementioned "Baby" (meaning that they will likely sound great back to back on the album) since it has a bit of an exotic sound to it, although the sound on "Baby" is predominantly Latin whereas the sound on "Orange Trees" is, to me, predominantly Caribbean. (That is what it reminds me of at least, but I could very well be wrong. Regardless, however, it definitely has a beachy and tropical sound to it.) It is also possible that the song is meant to feature Greek influence (I have to admit to a large degree of ignorance here) since Diamandis has said that the song is about the Greek island that she and her family are from. Somewhat similar to "Handmade Heaven" (which I reviewed here), the album's lead single (not counting "Baby"), the song is lyrically about feeling a strong connection with your natural surroundings and environment (something that seems to be very relevant for Diamandis lately, considering the fact that she even recently participated in a beach cleanup): "I can see the flowers and the greenery. I take a breath of air, I feel free. Spent so long, was busy chasing happiness when all I needed was a little peace... Flowers in my hair, I belong by the sea." LOVE + FEAR drops on April 26th and can be preordered here!