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10 for 2010: #5 – Marina & The Diamonds

A couple of weeks back, we asked you to vote for your top 10 artists for 2010. We had almost 600 votes, and we’re now going to countdown the top 10 over the next 10 days, finishing with our number 1 on 10th December at midday. Today, at number 5, is Wales’ Marina and the Diamonds, who we first introduced back in February, and is finally gearing up for the release of her debut album next year.

We’ve had a strong year for female talent. Florence and her Machine, Little Boots, Paloma Faith, La Roux et al, and so it’s only right that this continues into 2010 with Marina and her beloved Diamonds. We’ve watched as singles come along steadily getting better and better from this Welsh pop marvel. We first introduced Marina back in February, and almost a year later she’s gearing up to release her debut full length collection next February.

Refreshingly honest both in interviews and in her music, Marina isn’t one to be pigeon-holed into an easy description – no, we’re not going to provide an “OMG she’s like Lily Allen” or such like – to everyone we’ve spoken to, they’ve had a different opinion on this songstress. At times she sounds quite traditionally European, almost gypsy punk stuff (a la Gogol Bordello) on tracks like Obsessions, whilst other times she’s got a mainstream feel with giant hooks (see new single Hollywood).

Either way, I think we can all agree that big things are waiting for Marina in 2010. Download some free tracks below, or catch the video for new single, Hollywood.

Marina and the Diamonds‘ debut album, The Family Jewels is released on 15th February 2010.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1VTcJfL7RE[/youtube]

MP3: Marina and the Diamonds – I Am Not A Robot

MP3: Marina & The Diamonds – Mowgli’s Road

MP3: Marina & The Diamonds – Obsessions
[audio:http://theregoesthefear.com/media/200901/marinaandthediamonds_obsessions.mp3]

MP3: Marina and the Diamonds – I Am Not A Robot (Starsmith remix)
[audio:http://theregoesthefear.com/media/200911/MATD_iamnotarobot_%20starsmithrmx.mp3]