Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land
by MARINA
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Jun 11, 2021
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 629 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 564 out of 629
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 629
  3. Negative: 49 out of 629
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  1. zepen
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    An absolute masterpiece and most arguably Marina's magnum opus. This album is a journey which leads you through the world through Marina's eyes before delving into deep introspection. A complete and utter joy and AOTY material.
  2. rflrgh
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    A masterpiece. Marina seems to finally reach her self confidence and maturity. A piece of art that will age like wine.
  3. MirellaMirla
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Marina volta com um álbum que combina o melhor dos seus antigos trabalhos com o frescor de algo novo. Letras e sonoridades fortes, o álbum é sem dúvidas uma obra prima!… Expand
  4. Bagarags
    Jun 14, 2021
    7
    Interesting one. This album is everything I missed from Marina while going into her previous work, but it doesn't mean that this new album is completely free from everything I didn't like in "Love + Fear" and that's ok. I couldn't ask for anything better from her and I'm very proud she could combine the usual lack of subtlety with the weird-ish vibrant style from her previous albums.
  5. Camifklyf
    Jun 14, 2021
    5
    Ancient Dreams is about a Marina who makes it clear that she is not content to be “just another - insta - girl on 21th century”. The lyrics really addresses a variety of modern topics - from the social problems of the world and mainly the US to environmental issues - through a distinctive pop - sound that is close to something done in the past by her in FROOT. The conversations the songsAncient Dreams is about a Marina who makes it clear that she is not content to be “just another - insta - girl on 21th century”. The lyrics really addresses a variety of modern topics - from the social problems of the world and mainly the US to environmental issues - through a distinctive pop - sound that is close to something done in the past by her in FROOT. The conversations the songs initiate don't always come to a conclusion, but society's wounds are widely exposed, and need to say: she never sacrifices fun for content, Purge The Poison,title track and Venus Fly Trap are such alt parties bopz!… Expand
  6. Ronyr
    Jun 14, 2021
    9
    É um dos melhores álbuns que já escutei na vida. Infelizmente não gostei de poucas partes da composição de Purge The Poison, por esse motivo não pude dá 10.
  7. mikesthetic
    Jun 14, 2021
    10
    Incredible from the beginning till end.
    Feels amazing to travel through the songs, being locked ate home.
  8. im_osw
    Jun 15, 2021
    9
    Marina has returned in a big way, with a very refreshing album full of fun songs and beautiful ballads, where her voice stands out the most. Songs like highly emotional people and venus fly trap stand out with creative and original production, as well as their lyrics. Definitely one of the best pop albums of this 2021
  9. cmefckme_01
    Jun 15, 2021
    10
    She gave us camp, AMAZING visuals, good music, lyrics, era, concept, cohesive album, YOU NAME IT!!!! all of it is on this album. Undoubtedly her best album in her career so far I LOVE IT
  10. gabrysia
    Jun 15, 2021
    10
    i literally love every song from this album, and i think this is the only album that shows every marina’s feelings. she as an artist has always been near my heart, when i have bad or good days and when i listen to her i feel like something warm came to my heart. she deserves all the best, thank you marina xx
  11. lovesoftens
    Jun 15, 2021
    10
    Such a return to form and I love every ounce of this album. From the beginning to end, her songwriting is just so immaculate. Highly Emotional People and Flowers are my absolute favorites, and even the singles released first sound so fresh.
  12. linhaus
    Jun 15, 2021
    10
    Um ótimo álbum com um misto de críticas fortes e amor próprio. Marina entregou estética impecável em conjunto com sua sonoridade única, fundando uma espécie de fairy tale pop que nos faz viajar pelo mundo deste álbum enquanto entendemos os significados importantes de suas letras. Me arrisco a dizer que é o melhor álbum dela.
  13. ageofvelasco
    Jun 15, 2021
    10
    Marina continua a surpreender depois de anos como um dos nomes mais fortes do pop no quesito criativo. Letras políticas, conscientes, batidas energéticas e o vocal perfeito.
  14. NinaAzarovaa
    Jun 15, 2021
    10
    You don't have to be like everybody else, you don't have to fit into norm, you are not here to conform!
  15. Igorbriann
    Jun 15, 2021
    10
    ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Marina you did an amazing job! Congratulations. My favorite one is ADIAML, ILYBILMM, New America and Goodbye ❤️ But all of them are impeccable
  16. half_hearted
    Jun 15, 2021
    10
    Es un álbum lleno de buenas líricas, además de un mensaje claro, con crítica social y espiritualismo
  17. tinahoko
    Jun 15, 2021
    10
    this saved my day, I love you Marina, this is one of the best albums of your discography
  18. Fosterthetite
    Jun 15, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This album is so amazing, Marina put her soul into each of the new songs, in addition to saying that this album is hers, she wrote each of the songs! I love Marina… Expand
  19. curtidou
    Jun 15, 2021
    10
    This album must be one of the most unique sounding pieces of art I've ever heard!
  20. alex_standall
    Jun 15, 2021
    10
    Es mi primer era con ella, y me hace mucha ilusión. He escuchado sus anteriores albumes y son piezas de arte; este no es la excepción
    Es tan bueno, tanto liricamente como musicalmente; lleno de ritmos y melodias super buenas. Super recomendable!
  21. SoniaReyes
    Jun 15, 2021
    10
    Marina creó un álbum perfectamente balanceado, es increíble la capacidad que tiene de mostrarnos sus sentimientos de la manera más honesta posible. Sin duda es un disco que viene directamente de su alma y corazón, ya que, cada pieza habla lo piensa o siente. 10/10
  22. eliasxs
    Jun 15, 2021
    10
    Such a wonderful album. It's the first time MARINA has been so vulnerable in the maiing of an album. The sound is consistent throughout the album and really great lyrics overall.
  23. Kalooa
    Jun 15, 2021
    10
    Marina giving us an album with meaningful lyrics and a mixture of both of her best eras, Froot and TFJ, this album is simply beautiful in every sense, from production, vocals, and lyrics. One of her best works so far!
  24. elianavaldez
    Jun 15, 2021
    5
    This album is really good. Not only the music but the lyrics. Probably the best of the year. I’m kinda upset that New America is still not a single when it should be
  25. felipediamandis
    Jun 15, 2021
    10
    This album is brilliant, amazing, unbelievable, epic, iconic, unforgettable, AN EXPERIENCE.
  26. sebadasstian
    Jun 16, 2021
    10
    Sin duda alguna el mejor álbum de Marina. La instrumentalización, las letras, la interpretación de Marina es sin duda espectacular. Me sorprendió muchisimo. Excelente trabajo, Marina.
  27. pedroparamo123
    Jun 16, 2021
    10
    Marina regresa con su quinto álbum de estudio y nos brinda arte en toda la extensión de la palabra. Sin duda la lírica de Marina y su voz, acompañadas de la excelente producción de James Flannigan y Jennifer Decilveo nos dan el mejor álbum del año.
  28. Juan80s
    Jun 17, 2021
    10
    this album is perfect melodies and amazing lyrics, an album that reminds a lot of The Family Jewels and Froot , this album is very very good
  29. pixelsmoon
    Jun 17, 2021
    10
    i love every single song in this album. it's a masterpiece! ancient dreams already became my aoty 2021
  30. Angeldiam
    Jun 17, 2021
    10
    The best Production and vocals
    Reinvented, innovative she is a genius I love this album
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Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. The Observer (UK)
    Oct 7, 2021
    60
    The music is pleasantly accessible, rather than daring.
    Read full review
  2. AllMusic
    Jun 18, 2021
    80
    At a brisk ten tracks, Ancient Dreams is a quick dose of what makes Marina great: heartfelt honesty from a fellow misfit consistently pushing the boundaries of pop.
    Read full review
  3. Pitchfork
    Jun 17, 2021
    66
    Everything is delicate, but nothing is muted. This aesthetic certainly isn’t for everybody, but after her ambivalent pop experiments, Marina no longer needs her albums to be. It’s a beacon out for the highly emotional people of the world, of whom she clearly is one; it’s for her.
    Read full review
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