Karma (Marina song)

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."{{cite web |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/43131/1/marina-and-the-diamonds-name-change-new-music-interview |title=My name is Marina |last=Greenwood |first=Douglas |date=31 January 2019 |website=Dazed |access-date=6 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190205061843/https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/43131/1/marina-and-the-diamonds-name-change-new-music-interview |archive-date=5 February 2019 |url-status=live }} After the announcement, Marina released "Baby" with Clean Bandit and Luis Fonsi, her first single under the new name.{{cite magazine |last1=Irvin |first1=Jack |title=Song You Need to Know: Clean Bandit feat. Marina and Luis Fonsi, 'Baby' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/song-you-need-to-know-clean-bandit-feat-marina-and-luis-fonsi-baby-757547/ |access-date=30 June 2020 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=16 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412182515/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/song-you-need-to-know-clean-bandit-feat-marina-and-luis-fonsi-baby-757547/ |archive-date=12 April 2019 |url-status=live }} On 14 February 2019, she announced Love + Fear, her fourth studio album and first as Marina.{{cite magazine |title=Marina Announces Double Album 'Love + Fear,' Tour Dates |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8498459/marina-announces-love-fear-album-tour-dates |access-date=1 July 2020 |magazine=Billboard |date=14 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630063005/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8498459/marina-announces-love-fear-album-tour-dates |archive-date=30 June 2020 |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite news |last1=Daly |first1=Rhian |title=Marina of And The Diamonds fame announces new album 'Love + Fear' and tour |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/marina-diamonds-fame-announces-new-album-love-fear-tour-2448558 |access-date=1 July 2020 |work=NME |date=15 February 2019 |archive-date=8 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908171553/https://www.nme.com/news/music/marina-diamonds-fame-announces-new-album-love-fear-tour-2448558 |url-status=live }}

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.{{cite news |last1=Solomon |first1=Kate |title=Marina, Love + Fear review: An album that probes deep, universal insecurities |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/marina-love-and-fear-review-album-tracklist-release-date-tour-a8885791.html |access-date=1 July 2020 |work=The Independent |date=25 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430094529/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/marina-love-and-fear-review-album-tracklist-release-date-tour-a8885791.html |archive-date=30 April 2019 |url-status=live }} "Karma" appears on the Fear portion of the album, which explores themes such as "being taken advantage of" and sexism.{{cite magazine |last1=Spanos |first1=Brittany |title=The Reeducation of Marina Diamandis |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/marina-love-and-fear-album-interview-821048/ |access-date=2 July 2020 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=2 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506041643/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/marina-love-and-fear-album-interview-821048/ |archive-date=6 May 2019 |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite AV media notes |title=Love + Fear |type=CD liner notes |others=Marina |year=2019 |publisher=Atlantic Records |id= 0190295478711}}

"Karma" was released on 26 April 2019, as the twelfth track on Marina's fourth studio album Love + Fear.References regarding the release of Love + Fear on Apple Music:

• {{cite web |title=Love + Fear – Marina |url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/karma/1451645560?i=1451645563 |publisher=Apple Music (AU) |access-date=4 July 2020 |archive-date=8 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908172143/https://music.apple.com/au/album/karma/1451645560?i=1451645563 |url-status=live }}
• {{cite web |title=Love + Fear – Marina |url=https://music.apple.com/ca/album/karma/1451645560?i=1451645563 |publisher=Apple Music (CA) |access-date=4 July 2020 |archive-date=8 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908172125/https://music.apple.com/ca/album/karma/1451645560?i=1451645563 |url-status=live }}
• {{cite web |title=Love + Fear – Marina |url=https://music.apple.com/jp/album/karma/1451645560?i=1451645563 |publisher=Apple Music (JP) |access-date=4 July 2020 |language=Japanese |archive-date=8 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908172125/https://music.apple.com/jp/album/karma/1451645560?i=1451645563 |url-status=live }}
• {{cite web |title=Love + Fear – Marina |url=https://music.apple.com/nz/album/karma/1451645560?i=1451645563 |publisher=Apple Music (NZ) |access-date=4 July 2020 |archive-date=8 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908172125/https://music.apple.com/nz/album/karma/1451645560?i=1451645563 |url-status=live }}
• {{cite web |title=Love + Fear – Marina |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/karma/1451645560?i=1451645563 |publisher=Apple Music (US) |access-date=4 July 2020 |archive-date=8 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908172126/https://music.apple.com/us/album/karma/1451645560?i=1451645563 |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite AV media notes |title="Karma" |type=Spotify digital single |others=Marina |date=29 August 2019 |publisher=Atlantic Records |id= Spotify URI: 43ZmGWH3Q02c4bpRRgdv0w}} 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.{{cite news |title=Marina – Love + Fear Acoustic EP |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/love-fear-acoustic-ep-mw0003319892 |access-date=28 June 2020 |publisher=AllMusic |archive-date=8 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908171553/https://www.allmusic.com/album/love-fear-acoustic-ep-mw0003319892 |url-status=live }} The version was produced by English musician Benjamin Fletcher.{{cite news |title=Marina – Love + Fear Acoustic EP: Credits |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/love-fear-acoustic-ep-mw0003319892/credits |access-date=20 July 2020 |publisher=AllMusic |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629231655/https://www.allmusic.com/album/love-fear-acoustic-ep-mw0003319892/credits |archive-date=29 June 2020 |url-status=live }}

File:Harvey Weinstein 2011 Shankbone.JPG surrounding American producer and convicted sex offender Harvey Weinstein (shown).|alt=A color photograph of producer and sex offender Harvey Weinstein at a red carpet event.]]

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." 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).{{cite news |last1=Guth |first1=Dana |title=Marina Diamandis Unleashes Girl Power, Defends Kesha on Twitter |url=https://www.nylon.com/articles/marina-and-the-diamonds-kesha |access-date=12 August 2020 |work=Nylon |date=9 March 2016 |archive-date=15 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515205207/http://www.nylon.com/articles/marina-and-the-diamonds-kesha |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last1=Feeney |first1=Nolan |title=Marina and the Diamonds Speaks Out on Kesha's Legal Battle: 'She Will Win in the End' |url=https://time.com/4251814/marina-and-the-diamonds-kesha/ |access-date=13 August 2020 |magazine=Time |date=8 March 2016 |archive-date=16 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516150347/http://time.com/4251814/marina-and-the-diamonds-kesha/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |last1=Bacher |first1=Danielle |title=The Saga of Kesha, Dr. Luke and a Mother's Fight: 'He Almost Destroyed Us' (Exclusive) |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/magazine-feature/6980931/kesha-dr-luke-battle-inside-story-mom-pebe-sebert-interview-exclusive |access-date=13 August 2020 |magazine=Billboard |date=10 March 2016 |archive-date=19 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619224755/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/magazine-feature/6980931/kesha-dr-luke-battle-inside-story-mom-pebe-sebert-interview-exclusive |url-status=live }} 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.

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.'"{{cite news |last1=Stone |first1=Avery |title=Marina Tells the Story of Her New Name |url=https://www.nylon.com/marina-profile-love-fear |access-date=29 July 2020 |work=Nylon |date=22 April 2019 |archive-date=29 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729034826/https://www.nylon.com/marina-profile-love-fear |url-status=live }} 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. Musically, "Karma" is a pop song, with a "Mediterranean" tropical-style beat. Marina sings in falsetto, being accompanied by instruments such as the mandolin and ukulele. 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!"

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."{{cite web |last1=Jalali |first1=Imaan |title=Concert Review: Marina Sings Tall & Proud at the Greek Theatre During Her Love + Fear Tour |url=https://laexcites.com/2019/10/05/concert-review-marina-greek-theatre-love-and-fear-tour/ |website=LA Excites |access-date=13 August 2020 |date=5 October 2019 |archive-date=8 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908172126/https://laexcites.com/2019/10/05/concert-review-marina-greek-theatre-love-and-fear-tour/ |url-status=live }} 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."{{cite news |last1=Firth |first1=Abigail |title=Marina takes a bold new step on Love + Fear, and it (mostly) pays off |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/marina-love-and-fear-album-review |access-date=13 August 2020 |work=The Line of Best Fit |date=26 April 2019 |archive-date=23 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323080958/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/marina-love-and-fear-album-review |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite news |last1=Niesen |first1=Ben |title=Requiem for a Poor Mathô: A Review of Marina's 'Love + Fear' |url=https://atwoodmagazine.com/mnlf-marina-love-fear-album-review/ |access-date=2 July 2020 |work=Atwood Magazine |date=29 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190825133219/http://atwoodmagazine.com/mnlf-marina-love-fear-album-review/ |archive-date=25 August 2019 |url-status=live }} 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).{{cite web |last1=Buchman |first1=Riana |title=Marina's acoustic take on 'Love + Fear' misses the mark |url=http://wrbbradio.org/2019/09/26/marinas-acoustic-take-on-love-fear-misses-the-mark/ |publisher=WRBB |access-date=30 June 2020 |date=26 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026172518/http://wrbbradio.org/2019/09/26/marinas-acoustic-take-on-love-fear-misses-the-mark/ |archive-date=26 October 2019 |url-status=live }}

File:Marina – Love Plus Fear Tour ("Karma").png

A music video for the acoustic version of "Karma" was released to Marina's YouTube channel on 25 September 2019.{{cite web |title=Marina – Karma [Acoustic Video] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJZlttoyItM |publisher=YouTube |access-date=28 June 2020 |date=25 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323081001/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJZlttoyItM |archive-date=23 March 2020 |url-status=live }} 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".{{cite magazine |title=Marina on Transforming 'Love + Fear' Songs for Acoustic EP: It 'Felt Very Natural' |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8529831/marina-interview-love-fear-acoustic-ep-tour |access-date=30 June 2020 |magazine=Billboard |date=13 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305115149/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8529831/marina-interview-love-fear-acoustic-ep-tour |archive-date=5 March 2020 |url-status=live }} All three videos were directed by American photographer Nikko LaMere and produced by AJR Films.{{cite web |title=Motion |url=https://www.nikkolamere.com/motion |publisher=Nikko La Mere |access-date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209224347/https://www.nikkolamere.com/motion |archive-date=9 December 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Karma |url=http://ajrfilms.tv/portfolio-item/karma/ |publisher=AJR Films |access-date=4 July 2020 |archive-date=8 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908171924/http://ajrfilms.tv/portfolio-item/karma/ |url-status=live }} 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."{{cite news |last1=Stubblebine |first1=Allison |title=Marina Is a Sad, Sparkly Jester in New Acoustic Video for 'Karma' |url=https://www.nylon.com/marina-karma-acoustic-video |access-date=28 June 2020 |work=Nylon |date=25 September 2019 |archive-date=8 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908172130/https://www.nylon.com/marina-karma-acoustic-video |url-status=live }}

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."{{cite news |last1=Schatz |first1=Lake |title=Marina Performs 'Karma' on Kimmel: Watch |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/09/marina-kimmel-performance-video/ |access-date=28 June 2020 |work=Consequence of Sound |date=4 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205022525/https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/09/marina-kimmel-performance-video/ |archive-date=5 December 2019 |url-status=live }}

"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".{{cite news |last1=Gokhman |first1=Roman |title=Review: Marina Diamandis leaves the Diamonds behind at the Masonic |url=https://riffmagazine.com/reviews/marina-diamandis-20191005/ |access-date=2 July 2020 |work=Riff |date=6 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007054816/http://www.riffmagazine.com/reviews/marina-diamandis-20191005/ |archive-date=7 October 2019 |url-status=live }} 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."

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Love + Fear.

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

{{col-2}}

Credits adapted from Marina's YouTube account.

Production

• AJR Films{{spaced ndash}}production company

Personnel

• Nikko LaMere{{spaced ndash}}director
• Russell Tandy{{spaced ndash}}DP
• Derec Dunn{{spaced ndash}}executive producer
• Katia Spivakova{{spaced ndash}}editing
• Emilio Marcelino{{spaced ndash}}gaffer
• Ionel Diaconescu{{spaced ndash}}key grip
• Dennis Haynes{{spaced ndash}}production assistant
• Caleb Boyles{{spaced ndash}}production assistant

{{col-end}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{YouTube|ercWS-jUt0s|"Karma" (Audio Video)}}

{{Marina Diamandis}}

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Category:2019 singles

Category:2019 songs

Category:Atlantic Records singles

Category:Songs with feminist themes

Category:Marina Diamandis songs

Category:Songs written by Ben Berger

Category:Songs written by Jack Patterson (Clean Bandit)

Category:Songs written by Marina Diamandis

Category:Songs written by Ryan McMahon (record producer)

Category:Songs written by Ryan Rabin