MARINA LADUDA SHINES WITH CONFIDENCE AND DEPTH ON NEW ALBUM HOT MESS
Marina Laduda’s Hot Mess is anything but what its title suggests. It’s a confident, multifaceted record that blends pop, R&B, and experimental production into something that feels both super fresh and timeless. The California-born, Italy-based artist brings her Slovak and Salvadoran roots into the mix, creating a sound that’s global yet deeply personal. Across nine tracks, Laduda explores love, loneliness, and self-discovery with a voice that’s powerful, soulful, and full of emotion. Let’s dig in:
“Take Two,” the opening track from Marina Laduda’s new album Hot Mess, starts with a single synth chord that fades into silence, almost as if the song is catching its breath before the bass drops in. It’s an unexpected moment that makes you stop and listen, setting the tone for what’s to come. Once it hits, Laduda’s vocals steal the show. Her voice is smooth and soulful, perfectly matched to the song’s warm, sleek production. She has this effortless way of turning simple lines into vivid images, painting emotion through sound without ever overdoing it. “Take Two” feels like the kind of song you stumble upon and immediately want to play again, not because it’s flashy, but because it feels alive.
“Inhonoratus” proves that Marina Laduda isn’t here to play nice; she’s here to make an entrance. The track kicks in hard from the first beat and refuses to let go, demanding your full attention whether you’re ready or not. The bass hits like a hardcore gut punch, loud and unapologetic, the kind of low end that rattles old car windows and makes your rearview mirror shake. It’s bold, confident, and full of attitude. There’s a little Cardi B swagger and a touch of Nicki Minaj fire, but it’s all filtered through Laduda’s own distinctive style. “Inhonoratus” is sharp, fearless, and impossible to ignore, a statement track that shows exactly what she’s capable of.
“Soledad” eases in with a whisper, so soft at first it almost feels like it’s sneaking up on you, and quite frankly, it’s a bit tough to hear. Even tho the piano sounds practically distant, it’s delicate and stunning, setting the tone for what feels like the start of a heartfelt ballad. You can’t help but want a little more of it in the mix because it’s that good. Then Marina Laduda’s vocals arrive, glowing with clarity and control, evoking shades of Celine Dion at her most emotional. Halfway through, the mood shifts. The tone darkens, the energy turns heavier, and a subtle tension creeps in before the song returns to its emotional core of piano and voice. When Laduda sings, “It kinda sucks to always be lonely. Like when your hands are on my throat,” it’s haunting, vulnerable, and honest—a window into pain that feels lived-in. “Soledad” stands as proof of Laduda’s range, her ability to move gracefully between beauty and sorrow, leaving you both shaken and captivated.
The fourth track, “Colors,” flips the mood entirely and shows another side of Marina Laduda’s range. Here, she leans into an R&B-inspired groove reminiscent of early 2000s Destiny’s Child, smooth and confident. When the chorus hits, the song bursts into something brighter, almost tropical, perfectly matching its title. The bass is rich and full, driving the rhythm forward, while the subtle electronic textures add just the right shimmer to make the track pop. There’s a really awesome warmth to it all that feels nostalgic, like stepping into a summer night in 1983 Miami.
“Bad Things” carries a dark, seductive energy that perfectly suits its title. Something is menacing in its tone, a slow burn that feels both dangerous and irresistible. It has the same kind of pulse you might find in an early Nelly Furtado or Rihanna track, moody, confident, and a little mysterious. This is the song you play while wandering city streets after midnight, when the air feels heavy and your thoughts turn sharp. The bass is deep and relentless, the kind that shakes through your chest and threatens to blow out your car speakers.
“Marian Labuda” — though its title sounds strikingly similar to Marina’s own name — isn’t about her at all. It’s about an actor whose name people constantly mix up with hers. The track itself is playful and mischievous, with a touch of something dark simmering underneath. It’s pure Marina: confident, curious, and a little sly. What really sets it apart is how effortlessly she drifts between her native Slavic tongue and English. The blend feels seamless, like two worlds colliding and creating something entirely new in the process; a cross-cultural melody that’s as clever as it is captivating.
“Album of Scars” shifts the mood entirely, bringing a soft, silky wave of keyboard to Hot Mess. The keys blend beautifully with Marina Laduda’s vocals, creating a sound that feels intimate and emotional. The song carries a quiet sadness, with lyrics like “question my love, question my faith” revealing a sense of vulnerability and reflection. It’s a reminder that life isn’t always about the highs but also the moments of doubt that shape us. The drums deserve special mention, too. They’re subtle yet powerful, grounding the track and striking the perfect balance. It’s one of those songs that lingers long after it ends.
“Home (Away From Home)” captures Marina Laduda’s experience of living between worlds. Born in California with Slovak and Salvadoran roots, and now residing in Italy, she transforms her multicultural story into a song that feels both nostalgic and free-spirited. The track begins with warmth and longing, reflecting the ache of distance, before shifting into something playful and unexpected near the end. There’s a touch of whimsy in the music—almost circus-like—before Laduda returns with a powerful final vocal run that ties it all together.
“Aeternum” closes the album, and honestly, we wish it didn’t—because when it ends, you’re left wanting more and more and more. The song carries a somber, reflective tone, filled with sweeping vocals and rich instrumentation that blend beautifully together. It feels like a farewell, an epic sendoff that ties the whole record into something bittersweet and complete. Around the halfway point, the track shifts key and catches you off guard—not once, but twice—adding a surprising twist that keeps you hooked until the final note. It’s an emotional and powerful ending, one that lingers long after the last sound fades.
Hot Mess is the kind of album that reminds you why pop music can still feel personal and unpredictable. Across nine tracks, Marina Laduda proves she’s not afraid to take risks, shifting effortlessly from soulful ballads to club-ready bangers, from moments of quiet reflection to full-throttle confidence. What ties it all together is her voice, equal parts power and vulnerability, and her knack for creating atmosphere through sound. Every song feels like its own story, stitched together with honesty and emotion. Hot Mess may carry a playful title, but the music is anything but careless. It’s bold, deeply felt, and full of life; an album that marks Marina Laduda as an artist completely in control of her chaos.