L.A. native Marina Fleming knows what it takes to make it in the music industry. Building a unique indie rock sound with sonic themes is difficult. The world seems to promote the idea of factory-setting rock songs of old and raking in the revenue. What sets Fleming apart from the rest of the up-and-coming artists is her commitment to her craft. Marina Fleming's second album, Groupies in the Age of Consent, is a masterful trip through a period lost in time. While she dances between themes of her L.A. upbringing and her fast-approaching stardom, Fleming doesn't pull any punches, crafting a winding coming-of-age story.
Groupies in the Age of Consent feels more introspective than Fleming's 2020 debut album, Never Been in Love. While the latter saw the artist untamed and aimlessly wandering, the new project continues the growing pains but is more refined in its approach. "Eyes Wide Shut," the opening track of Groupies in the Age of Consent, is the perfect antidote for the hopeless wanderer. The track begins with a dreamy, poppy, hazy guitar as Marina Fleming's voice comes in like an oasis in a desert. The theme of the song presents a life of free will and a gateway to a world unlike Earth.
"Just Another Night" and "The Bend" are more subtle in their production. These 90s soft-rock-inspired tracks showcase Fleming's poetic Alanis Morrisette-style lyricism. Her search for purpose seems to come with many obstacles as she sings, "You told me these were the easy days." With most of the album inspired by the haunting yet alluring trance of Los Angeles, Fleming doesn't shy away from that.
"Kiss" and "Pills" are some of the more romantic tracks on the album. The two tracks center on watching time and your loved ones pass you by. The production of the tracks keeps pace with the emotional turmoil of moving on. "Kiss" and "Pills" remain the standout tracks on Groupies in the Age of Consent, an album layered with so much more than just romance.
Marina Fleming makes it known she doesn't have it all together; no one has. The dream pop artist knows the underbelly of L.A. is littered with gold trash. While the tourism and Hollywood glamour keeps the city of Angels afloat, when the lights go low, the skies are filled with the waited breath of the living artist. Fleming does her best to project the struggles of growing up in such a warped reality, pulling from inspirations like Fiona Apple. She remains steadfast in her approach to showcasing her discovery within the music industry.
"Harvey" comes in the form of a grunge, lo-fi rock track with a focus on self-exploration. The emotions continue to flood through the speakers, and Fleming echoes her mental diary. The single's laid-back vibes and backing vocals help project the Mulland Drive imagery that could make the late, great David Lynch proud.
"Harvey" flows perfectly into the slow tempo of "Shadows." Backed by a solo guitar, the singer is as honest as she can get on the project. Touching on themes of identity and longing, "Shadows" isn't flashy in its presence but does pack a punch in terms of heart. What it lacks in upbeat sounds, it makes up for in the overall aspect of the entire album.
After wading a mystical L.A., Marina Fleming comes to her conclusion with "Girls at the Party." The last and longest track on the album, "Girls at the Party," positions the singer-songwriter in a space never seen before. Her coming-of-age journey is coming to an end, but Fleming doesn't spend much time thinking about the past. The grand finale comes in the form of 11 heart-aching minutes. Around the 7-minute mark, the track transforms into a much simpler tone before picking back up into an all-out plea.
Groupies in the Age of Consent is a board second album that takes listeners through a mirage of vivid imagery. Marina Fleming is an underrated indie rock artist who carefully curates an atmospheric look into a young woman in the music industry. Using her L.A. life as an intriguing backdrop, Fleming balances the highs and lows of living in the majestic city.
Marina Fleming's Groupies in the Age of Consent is available on all music streaming platforms.
