This is a page dedicated to the Critical Reception, Commercial Performance, and Charting of Marina Diamandis's second studio album, Electra Heart, and its singles. For information on other albums their singles, click here.
Critical Reception[]
At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted mean rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, Electra Heart received an average score of 57, which indicates "mixed or average reviews", based on 16 reviews. However it received a 8.6/10 based on 652 user reviews.[1] And received the #11 spot for Most Discussed Album of 2012 and Most Shared Album of 2012.[2]
albumoftheyear.org compiled a critic score of 57/100 (based on 16 reviews) and a user score of 74/100 (based on 728 reviews). Making it her lowest Critic Reviewed album and her 3rd ranked User Reviewed album on the site, following FROOT (79) and The Family Jewels (78).[3]
Electra Heart noticeably has the biggest gap between Critic and User reviews on any site. Something Marina reflected on years later:
- "People (press) HATED Electra Heart - and now it seems to be the fan favourite."[4]
AllMusic gave it 3 and half stars out of 5, describing Electra Heart as "a brooding, sexy, desperate, overwrought, and infectious record that's both aware and unashamed of its contrivance."[5] Entertainment Weekly enlisted Tim Stack to evaluate the project, who complimented Diamandis for her ability to "rival Katy Perry for catchy hooks, command with the swagger of Gwen Stefani, and even come close to the ethereal vocal exhilaration of Florence Welch." giving it 83 out of 100.[6]
The Independent accepted that the record was "too professional to be truly terrible", although noted that Diamandis' revamped public image as a "British Katy Perry" lacked ingenuity, giving it 3 out of 5 stars.[7] NME columnist Priya Elan summarised the project as an "expensive-sounding failure" that suffered from its lack of decisiveness, giving it 5 out of 10.[8]
The harshest review came from the magazine Clash, with George Boorman writing, "'Electra heart' is an ingloriously languid statement of Marina's demise, the final stamp of disapproval on her flailing excuse of a musical career. There is actually a song called 'Bubblegum Bitch' on this album.'' giving it 1 out of 10.[9]
Commercial Performance[]
Electra Heart debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart with first-week sales of 21,538 copies.[10] It became first Marina's chart-topping album in the United Kingdom,[11] although it was additionally distinguished as the lowest-selling number-one record of the 21st century in the country.[12] It was later surpassed by Write It On Your Skin (2012) by Newton Falker, which debuted at number one with first-week sales of 16,647 copies.[13] Electra Heart was eventually certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry for exceeding shipments of 60,000 units in the country. The record additionally reached number one on both the Irish Albums Chart and the Scottish Albums Chart;[14][15] It was recognized with a Gold certification in Ireland.[16] During March 2016 Electra Heart was certified Gold in the United Kingdom for sales reaching 100,000 copies.
Electra Heart performed moderately on additionally record chart in Europe. The record peaked at number 11 on the Swiss Hitparade (Switzerland),[17] and reached number 17 on the German Media Control Charts.[18] It charted at number 25 on the Ö3 Austria Top 40,[19] number 30 on the Norwegian VG-lista,[20] and number 41 on the Swedish Sverigetopplistan.[21] The project reached the lower ends of the Dutch MegaCharts and the Belgian Ultratop in Wallonia, respectively peaking at numbers 92 and 132 in each region.[22][23] However, it reached number 31 on the Official New Zealand Music Chart and number 32 on the Australian ARIA Charts in Oceania.[24][25]
Electra Heart debuted at number 31 on the U.S Billboard 200,[26] and reached number two on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums component chart.[27] It has sold an estimated 300,000 pure copies in the US not counting track sales and album streams.[28][28] Elsewhere in North America, the record peaked at number 50 on the Canadian Albums Chart.[29] In August 2012, Diamandis commented that she believed consumers in the United Kingdom had misinterpreted her comical effort with a perceived abandonment of her original musical inspiration, thus resulting in a relative underperformance in the country.[30] In contrast, she felt that her American audience was more receptive of Electra Heart and her evolving public image.[31]
Electra Heart peaked number 24 in the year-end US Electronic/Dance Albums Chart in 2012, and 14 in the year-end 2013. On 13 April 2019, the album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting shipments in excess of 500,000 units in the United States. Elsewhere in North America, the record peaked at number 50 on the Canadian Albums Chart.Worldwide, the album is estimated to have sold 800,000 copies as of January 2018.
In September 2019 Electra Heart surpassed half a billion streams.
In October 2021 Electra Heart surpassed a billion streams.[32]
Singles[]
Radioactive was the first promotional single off Electra Heart, the single premiered on BBC Radio 1 on August 22, 2011 and was released a month later on September 23, 2011. Radioactive peaked at number 25 on the UK chart, spending 3 weeks on the chart. In Ireland, it peaked at number 37.
Primadonna was released as the first official lead single off Electra Heart. The song overall became an international success, charting within the top five in Austria, Ireland, and New Zealand. In the United Kingdom, Primadonna debuted at number eleven on the UK Singles Chart with 25,337 copies sold in its first week, which is Marina's highest-charting single in the UK to date.[33] As of February 2018, Primadonna has sold 300,000 copies in the UK.[34] Primadonna also spent three weeks on the Irish Singles Chart, before rising to a new peak at number three, which also became Marina's highest-charting single in Ireland as well. The song also peaked at number four in New Zealand, marking Marina's first single to chart in that country. Primadonna was also Marina's first hit in the United States going on to sell 500,000 copies gaining a Gold Certification.
Power & Control was hailed by contemporary music critics as a stand-out track from Electra Heart. However, the song peaked at number 193 on the UK Singles Chart, and failed to impact additional record charts internationally. An accompanying music video for "Power & Control" was directed by Casper Balslev, and was released on May 30, 2012. Its simplistic concept received generally favourable reviews from critics.
Despite under-performing previous hits in the United Kingdom, How to Be a Heartbreaker was a moderate success in the UK, peaking at number 88 on the UK Singles chart. It also became a fast hit in Denmark, getting certified Platinum. In the United States, How To Be A Heartbreaker was Marina's second official hit single, gaining a Gold Certification, with over 500,000 copies being sold.
Certifications[]
| Region | Certified Units | Certification | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 7,500 | Gold | ? | ? |
| United Kingdom[35] | 100,000 | Gold | ? | 03 Aug 2012 |
| United States[36] | 500,000 | Gold | Standard | 13 Mar 2019 |
| Region | Certified Units | Certification | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia[37] | 70,000 | Platinum | ? | ? |
| Austria[38] | 15,000 | Gold | ? | ? |
| Denmark[39] | 30,000 | Platinum | ? | ? |
| New Zealand[40] | 15,000 | Platinum | ? | ? |
| United Kingdom[41] | 200,000 | Silver | ? | 02 Aug 2013 |
| United Kingdom[42] | 400,000 | Gold | ? | 30 Oct 2020 |
| United Kingdom[43] | 600,000 | Platinum | ? | 09 Feb 2024 |
| United States[44] | 500,000 | Gold | ? | 15 May 2017 |
| United States[45] | 1,000,000 | Platinum | Digital | 25 Jun 2021 |
| Region | Certified Units | Certification | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denmark[46] | 2,600,000 | Platinum | Digital | 06 May 2018 |
| United Kingdom[47] | 200,000 | Silver | ? | 12 Nov 2021 |
| United States[48] | 500,000 | Gold | ? | 15 May 2017 |
| United States[49] | 1,000,000 | Platinum | Digital | 25 Jun 2021 |
| Region | Certified Units | Certification | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom[50] | 200,000 | Silver | ? | 24 Sep 2021 |
| United Kingdom[51] | 400,000 | Gold | ? | 12 Jul 2024 |
| United States[52] | 500,000 | Gold | Digital | 26 Mar 2021 |
| ?[53] | 1,000,000 | Platinum | Digital | ?? May 2022 |
| Region | Certified Units | Certification | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States[54] | 500,000 | Gold | Digital | 03 Feb 2022 |
Charts[]
| 2012 | Peak |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums[55] | 32 |
| Austrian Albums[56] | 25 |
| Belgium Albums[57] | 132 |
| Canadian Albums[58] | 50 |
| Dutch Albums[59] | 92 |
| German Albums[60] | 17 |
| Irish Albums[61] | 1 |
| New Zealand Albums[62] | 31 |
| Norwegian Albums[63] | 30 |
| Scottish Albums[64] | 1 |
| Swedish Albums[65] | 41 |
| Swiss Albums[66] | 11 |
| UK Albums[67] | 1 |
| US Billboard 200[68] | 31 |
- Year-end Charts
| 2012 | Peak |
|---|---|
| UK Albums (OCC)[69] | 115 |
| US Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[70] | 24 |
| 2013 | Peak |
|---|---|
| US Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[71] | 14 |
| 2021 | Peak |
|---|---|
| US Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[72] | 21 |
| 2012 | Peak |
|---|---|
| Australia Singles Chart[76] | 21 |
| Australia Heat seekers[77] | 1 |
| Austria Singles Chart[78] | 3 |
| Denmark Singles Chart[79] | 12 |
| Germany Singles Chart[80] | 18 |
| Hungary Singles Chart[81] | 14 |
| Ireland Singles Chart[82] | 3 |
| Netherlands Singles Chart[83] | 95 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart[84] | 4 |
| Scotland Singles Chart[85] | 9 |
| Slovakia Singles Chart[86] | 16 |
| Switzerland Singles Chart[87] | 10 |
| UK Singles Chart[88] | 11 |
| 2012 | Peak |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart[89] | 193 |
References[]
- ↑ http://www.metacritic.com/music/electra-heart
- ↑ https://www.metacritic.com/music/electra-heart/marina-and-the-diamonds/user-reviews
- ↑ https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/3632-marina-electra-heart.php
- ↑ https://marinaupdates.tumblr.com/post/190860295514/marinadiamandis-10-year-anniversary-of-the
- ↑ http://www.allmusic.com/album/electra-heart-mw0002328372
- ↑ http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20609242,00.html
- ↑ http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-marina-and-the-diamonds-electra-heart-679atlantic-7687375.html
- ↑ http://www.nme.com/reviews/marina-and-the-diamonds/13082
- ↑ http://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/marina-and-the-diamonds-electra-heart
- ↑ http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a393502/newton-faulkner-sells-just-16k-to-get-number-one-album.html#~oCv69qxTB7hDil
- ↑ http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/marina-the-diamonds-claim-first-official-number-1-album-1379/
- ↑ http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a393502/newton-faulkner-sells-just-16k-to-get-number-one-album.html#~oCv69qxTB7hDil
- ↑ http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a393502/newton-faulkner-sells-just-16k-to-get-number-one-album.html#~oCv69qxTB7hDil
- ↑ http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240002&arch=t&lyr={{{year}}}&year={{{year}}}&week={{{week}}}
- ↑ http://www.officialcharts.com/archive-chart/_/23/12
- ↑ http://www.irishcharts.ie/awards/gold12.htm
- ↑ http://www.swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Marina+and+the+Diamonds&titel=Electra+Heart&cat=a
- ↑ http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/Marina+and+the+Diamonds/?type=longplay
- ↑ http://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Marina+and+the+Diamonds&titel=Electra+Heart&cat=a
- ↑ http://www.norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Marina+and+the+Diamonds&titel=Electra+Heart&cat=a
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electra_Heart#cite_note-Sweden-75
- ↑ http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Marina+and+the+Diamonds&titel=Electra+Heart&cat=a
- ↑ http://www.ultratop.be/fr/showitem.asp?interpret=Marina+and+the+Diamonds&titel=Electra+Heart&cat=a
- ↑ http://www.charts.org.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Marina+and+the+Diamonds&titel=Electra+Heart&cat=a
- ↑ http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Marina+and+the+Diamonds&titel=Electra+Heart&cat=a
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electra_Heart#cite_note-Billboard200-80
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance/Electronic_Albums
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20150314222707/http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases
- ↑ http://www.billboard.com/artist/309458/marina-and-diamonds/chart?f=309
- ↑ http://www.nme.com/news/marina-and-the-diamonds/65711
- ↑ http://www.nme.com/news/marina-and-the-diamonds/65711
- ↑ https://twitter.com/chartdata/status/1450884529309171714
- ↑ http://www.musicweek.com/news/read/official-charts-analysis-adele-needs-just-17k-album-sales-for-23rd-week-at-no1/048666
- ↑ http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/marina-the-diamonds-updates-fans-on-new-album-im-almost-ready__21652/
- ↑ https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/8853-2324-2
- ↑ https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=marina#search_section
- ↑ http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesSINGLEaccreds2012.htm
- ↑ https://www.ifpi.at/?section=goldplatin
- ↑ http://www.ifpi.dk/?q=content/marina-and-diamonds-primadonna-wmg-0
- ↑ https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/singles?chart=2002
- ↑ https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/12494-2324-1
- ↑ https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/12494-5429-1
- ↑ https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/12494-5429-1
- ↑ https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=marina#search_section
- ↑ https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=marina#search_section
- ↑ http://www.ifpi.dk/?q=content/marina-diamonds-how-be-heartbreaker
- ↑ https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/17642-5429-1
- ↑ https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=marina#search_section
- ↑ https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=marina#search_section
- ↑ https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/17517-5429-1
- ↑ https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/17517-5429-1
- ↑ https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=marina#search_section
- ↑ https://twitter.com/MarinaDiamandis/status/1527672228644634625
- ↑ https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=marina#search_section
- ↑ http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Marina+and+the+Diamonds&titel=Electra+Heart&cat=a
- ↑ http://www.austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Marina+and+the+Diamonds&titel=Electra+Heart&cat=a
- ↑ http://www.ultratop.be/fr/album/2f367/Marina-And-The-Diamonds-Electra-Heart
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electra_Heart#cite_note-Canada-85
- ↑ http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Marina+and+the+Diamonds&titel=Electra+Heart&cat=a
- ↑ https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-193383
- ↑ http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240002&arch=t&lyr=2012&year=2012&week=18
- ↑ http://www.charts.org.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Marina+and+the+Diamonds&titel=Electra+Heart&cat=a
- ↑ http://www.norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Marina+and+the+Diamonds&titel=Electra+Heart&cat=a
- ↑ http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/
- ↑ http://www.swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Marina+and+the+Diamonds&titel=Electra+Heart&cat=a
- ↑ http://www.swisscharts.com/album/Marina-And-The-Diamonds/Electra-Heart-193383
- ↑ http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/
- ↑ https://www.billboard.com/music/Marina-and-the-Diamonds/chart-history/billboard-200
- ↑ http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/UKChartsPlusEOY2012.pdf
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20130526075356/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2012/top-dance-electronic-albums
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20131217160654/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/top-dance-electronic-albums
- ↑ https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2020/dance-electronic-albums/
- ↑ http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/
- ↑ http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240001&arch=t&lyr=2011&year=2011&week=40
- ↑ http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/
- ↑ http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Marina+and+the+Diamonds&titel=Primadonna&cat=s
- ↑ http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20120716-0000/Issue1165.pdf
- ↑ http://www.austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Marina+and+the+Diamonds&titel=Primadonna&cat=s
- ↑ http://www.danishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Marina+and+the+Diamonds&titel=Primadonna&cat=s
- ↑ https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-%7B%7B%7Bid%7D%7D%7D
- ↑ http://zene.slagerlistak.hu/radios-top-40-jatszasi-lista/2012/34
- ↑ http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240001&arch=t&lyr=2012&year=2012&week=20
- ↑ http://www.dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Marina+and+the+Diamonds&titel=Primadonna&cat=s
- ↑ http://www.charts.org.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Marina+and+the+Diamonds&titel=Primadonna&cat=s
- ↑ http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20120422/41/
- ↑ http://www.ifpicr.cz/hitparadask/index.php?hitp=R
- ↑ http://www.swisscharts.com/song/Marina-And-The-Diamonds/Primadonna-998189
- ↑ http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20120422/7501/
- ↑ http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/120804cluk.txt
- ↑ http://www.danishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Marina+and+the+Diamonds&titel=How+to+Be+a+Heartbreaker&cat=s
- ↑ http://www.ifpi.fi/tilastot/virallinen-lista/artistit/Marina+%26+the+Diamonds/How+to+Be+a+Heartbreaker
- ↑ http://zene.slagerlistak.hu/radios-top-40-jatszasi-lista/2013/13
- ↑ http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240001&arch=t&lyr=2012&year=2012&week=50
- ↑ http://bestsellery.zpav.pl/airplays/pozostale/archiwum.php?year=2013&typ=nowosci&idlisty=974#title
- ↑ http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20130210/41/
- ↑ http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20130210/7501/