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| Album cover from Spotify |
Disclaimer: Marina Lin's A Work in Progress deals with various heavy themes such as depression, self-harm, alcoholism, and self-destruction. Discretion is advised for the readers of this review, as well as those who plan to listen to the album.
Behind every song is a story to tell. This line captures the
soul of the 24-year-old talented Canadian singer-songwriter Marina Lin, who
creates music that encourages people to embrace their humanness—including their unpleasant parts. Her debut album, A Work in Progress, is a collection of ten
tracks released way back in February of 2020. It talks about the
journey of self-discovery, highlighting the subjects of love, heartbreak,
depression, and growth.
The first track on the list is a letter to my crush, which details the time she met a girl and how great she was, but they never made it past the third date. Hence, she wrote the things she wishes to tell her crush but never had the chance to.
This is what rejection feels like talks about how a person may mean so much to you, yet what they feel towards you is the entire opposite. Despite being hurt, she is willing to get hurt again as long as it is for her; thus, she is a fool.
Next in the record, this is what depression feels like. This song describes the circling-in-the-drain feeling again after a period of time you thought you were doing well. And while you may be tired of pretending to be okay, you still refuse to seek help. For Lin, "there is never going to be a time in your life where you are gonna be free of sadness because as long as you are alive, you are going to keep evolving."
This is what a broken heart feels like is by far the most popular track from the whole album. The song talks about the pain and struggles of being left behind in a relationship and coping through the use of alcohol and the implications of self-harm. Lin revealed that she finished the song in about 20 minutes; moreover, this track was the first of the ten songs she wrote.
My favorite from the album is the track this is what self-destruction feels like; the lyrics outline how we are—to each our own—a mess in the making. The song talks about having secrets we cannot spill, refusing to be loved, and dealing with trust issues among other things. The song is also a reminder to people to take care of themselves even as they undergo the process of being broken.
Along with these are other tracks that follow the same naming convention that talk about falling in love, having insecurities, and being cheated on. There is also a stripped version of the song this is what a broken heart feels like as the penultimate track. Finally, the record is closed by a track simply titled cancer.
The naming conventions for the tracks in this album are all pretty straightforward. Life is a work in progress and so are we. Life is an experience full of uncertainties and endless possibilities, of course, but that nature of life should only allow us to be comfortable with our mistakes.
This album is very dear to my heart as it summarizes a lot of my thoughts within under an hour, creating a space for other people and me to embrace and feel our emotions by providing a soundtrack for our shared experiences. Lin's heartfelt vocals, which are as genuine as the stories she shares, are accompanied and complemented by guitar melodies and a gentle, soothing production. The deep and meaningful lyrics, the work of art that they are, are just the icing on the cake for the album.
A Work in Progress is available on all leading streaming platforms, including Spotify, iTunes, and Apple Music.
