Karma (Marina song)

"Karma" is a song by Welsh singer and songwriter Marina from her fourth studio album, Love + Fear (2019). The song was written by Marina, Ben Berger, Ryan McMahon, Ryan Rabin, and her boyfriend Jack Patterson. Patterson produced the track alongside Mark Ralph. It was released for digital download and streaming as the album's fifth and final single in the United States 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 wasn't initially aware of it. The track is a pop song with a tropical beat and lyrics that describe a woman confronting a man who insists he will receive his karma.

"Karma"
Single by Marina
from the album Love + Fear
Released29 August 2019 (2019-08-29)
StudioClub Ralph (London)
Genre
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" received mixed reviews from music critics. Some felt it recalled her earlier works while others found it unmemorable. An acoustic version of the song appears on Marina's sixth extended play, 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 in a studio space. The song was included on the setlist to her fourth concert tour, the Love + Fear Tour (2019). She also performed it live on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in September 2019 as part of a promotional appearance in the United States.

Background and release

In order to proceed with a new era in her career, Marina announced via Twitter in 2018 that she would be dropping "and the Diamonds" from her stage name in order to perform as just Marina (stylised in all caps). She explained that to Dazed in January 2019: "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 her new name.[2] On 14 February 2019, she announced Love + Fear, her fourth studio album and an accompanying multi-leg concert tour.[3] The track listing for the album was unveiled the same day, revealing "Karma" as the twelfth track overall and fourth on the Fear portion of the album.[4]

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 those 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 written by Marina, Ben Berger, Ryan McMahon, Ryan Rabin, and Marina's boyfriend Jack Patterson, of British group Clean Bandit. It was produced by Patterson and Mark Ralph. Marina performed her vocals for the track at Ralph's private home recording studios in London, nicknamed Club Ralph.[7]

"Karma" was first released on 26 April 2019, when the rest of Love + Fear was released to the public.[8] For its release as a commercial single, it was sent to music distributor Spotify in the United States for digital download and streaming on 29 August 2019 through Atlantic Records.[9] An acoustic version of the song was recorded by Marina and featured on the track listing for her seventh extended play, Love + Fear (Acoustic), on 13 September 2019.[10] The new version was produced by English musician Benjamin Fletcher.[11]

Composition and lyrics

Musically, "Karma" is a pop song with a "Mediterranean" tropical-style beat.[12] Marina sings in falsetto, accompanied by instruments such as the mandolin and ukulele.[7][13] The original version of the song, stylistically, differed a great deal compared to the final edit; Marina compared this version to catalogue of American band NSYNC and commented: "It was actually really sick. But, alas, it didn't suit the record!"[8]

During an interview with Apple Music, Marina revealed the backstories behind each of the sixteen tracks on Love + Fear. Regarding "Karma", she revealed that the song's lyrical content was subconsciously inspired by the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse cases and the consequential viral response with the Me Too movement. She stated that the initial idea for the song's subject matter came from a discussion Marina had had with her producers regarding various "music industry individuals that were falling from grace".[8] Some music critics discussed how Marina, in 2016, was among several pop artists who stood up in defense of American singer Kesha throughout a lengthy series of lawsuits and countersuits against American producer Dr. Luke; Marina had previously worked with Dr. Luke for her single "Primadonna" and other songs that appear on her second studio album, Electra Heart (2012).[14][15][16] Further in her interview with Apple Music, she 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 to the song find Marina confronting an enemy with a "told-you-so" attitude as she sings: "I'm like, 'Oh my god / I think it's karma'".[17] Brittany Spanos from Rolling Stone felt like Marina was describing misogyny with the song, which she felt with a common theme explored on the Fear portion of the album.[6] Jason Fontelieu from The Diamondback described the song's message as about someone finally receiving their karma: "Marina remains steadfast as she tells herself any bad energy someone puts toward her will simply end up getting back to them."[18]

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".[12] Abigail Firth of The Line of Best Fit speculated that the sound of Love + Fear is drastically different compared to her previous three albums, but claimed 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."[13]

Although Ben Niesen from Atwood Magazine called the song "too damnably infectious", he felt that its "menacing" tone fell flat compared to her previous releases.[19] 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).[20]

Promotion

Music video
Marina performing "Karma" accompanied by two backup singers and a live band during the Love + Fear Tour in September 2019.

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

Live performances

Throughout 2019, Marina made several promotional media appearances in the United States on late-night talk shows to promote Love + Fear. She appeared as a musical guest for Jimmy Kimmel Live! on 4 September of the same year, where she performed "Karma" in a similar wardrobe as seen in the accompanying music video. The performance consisted of Marina dancing while near a glowing, white orb. According to Lake Schatz from Consequence of Sound, the 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".[26]

"Karma" was included on the set list for Marina's Love + Fear Tour in 2019. During the North American leg of the concert, it was performed within a grouping of songs like 2015 Froot outtake "I'm Not Hungry Anymore", her 2010 single "Oh No!", and Love + Fear track "No More Suckers".[12][27] 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".[12]

Track listing
Digital download/streaming[9]
No.TitleLength
1."Karma"3:24

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Love + Fear.[7]

  • Marina Diamandis – writer, vocals
  • Ben Berger – writer
  • Ryan McMahon – writer
  • Jack Patterson – writer, producer, mixing
  • Ryan Rabin – writer
  • Mark Ralph – producer, guitar, mandolin, mixing, ukulele
  • Ross Fortune – assistant engineer
  • Tom A.D. Fuller – engineer
  • Dave Kutch – mastering

Release history
Release dates and formats for "Karma"
Region Date Format(s) Version Label Ref.
Various 26 April 2019
as part of Love + Fear Atlantic [8]
United States 29 August 2019 Digital single [9]
gollark: That is also not particularly good?
gollark: KIlling people bad, gnobody also bad, bees dispatched.
gollark: What, should I upgrade him to 38J?
gollark: LyricLy is just a class-33G apioform.
gollark: Prepare for a distributed DDOS of service.

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. 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. 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. Love + Fear (CD liner notes). Marina. Atlantic Records. 2019. 0190295478711.CS1 maint: others (link)
  8. References regarding the release of Love + Fear on Apple Music:
  9. "Karma" (Spotify digital single). Marina. Atlantic Records. 29 August 2019. Spotify URI: 43ZmGWH3Q02c4bpRRgdv0w.CS1 maint: others (link)
  10. "Marina – Love + Fear Acoustic EP". AllMusic. 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. Jalali, Imaan (5 October 2019). "Concert Review: Marina Sings Tall & Proud at the Greek Theatre During Her Love + Fear Tour". LA Excites. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. Fontelieu, Jason (1 May 2019). "Review: The second half of Marina's new album is as equally strong as the first". The Diamondback. Archived from the original on 9 May 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. "Marina – Karma [Acoustic Video]". YouTube. 25 September 2019. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  22. "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.
  23. "Motion". Nikko La Mere. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  24. "Karma". AJR Films. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  25. Stubblebine, Allison (25 September 2019). "Marina Is a Sad, Sparkly Jester in New Acoustic Video for 'Karma'". Nylon. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  26. 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.
  27. 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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