Marina Satti returns with her first full-length album, named “Yenna”, and eleven new songs that balance the past and the present.
Marina Satti came to our attention in 2017 with her hit single “Mantissa”, a fresh cheerful pop song with strong influences from the Greek music tradition. Now, 5 years later, she returns with her first full-length album, named “Yenna” (meaning birth) and eleven new songs that balance the past and the present.
I was watching a few days ago a live Q&A on her instagram profile and she mentioned some of the artists that had a strong presence in her daily life. She pointed out FKA Twigs, Rosalía, Kendrick Lamar, M.I.A., James Blake among others, with the first two having definitely a strong impact οn her music, aesthetic and creative process.
While Rosalía dives deep into her Spanish folk tradition, latin, flamenco or reggae, and mixes it with modern pop, r’n’b and electronic sounds, Marina Satti embraces in a similar way her roots and the traditional music of Crete, North Greece or the Middle East in general.
After all, she was raised in Heraklion, Crete to a Sudanese father and a Greek mother, in a culturally diverse environment that certainly had a significant impact on her personal development and identity.
Another thing that emerges from her artistic persona and her music videos, is the intensive projection of the folklore side of Greek culture, urban or regional. The Greece we love to hate, or hate to love, is something that I guess will grab the attention of the viewers (and potential fans) that may come from abroad.
Personally, after listening to her new album, I liked a bit more the songs that bring new flavours, experimentation or electronic sounds, compared to those that are hooked on nostalgia and the past. But I guess most of beehype’s visitors will probably have a different perception, as they may be more attracted by the Greek folkish aura. Enjoy!
