Butterfly (Marina song)

"Butterfly"
Single by Marina
from the album Princess of Power
Released21 February 2025 (2025-02-21)
Genre
Length4:25
Label
Songwriter(s)Marina Diamandis
Producer(s)
Marina singles chronology
"Venus Fly Trap"
(2021) 		"Butterfly"
(2025) 		"Cupid's Girl"
(2025)
Music video
"Butterfly" on YouTube

"Butterfly" is a song by Welsh singer and songwriter Marina from her sixth studio album, Princess of Power (2025). It was independently released as the lead single,[a] alongside an accompanying music video on 21 February 2025. This marked her first self-released song since both of her extended plays Mermaid vs Sailor (2007) and Froot Acoustic (2015).

Her first single release in nearly four years, Marina wrote and recorded the alt-pop and chamber pop song, and co-produced the record with American songwriter CJ Baran. Music critics highlighted the lyricism for "Butterfly" representing the insect of the same name through its life cycle, personal growth of an individual, and spiritual rebirth. The music video was directed by Aerin Moreno, where it depicts Marina dancing and singing through several liminal spaces.

Marina promoted the song with a live performance at music festival Coachella 2025. Commercially, the song did not make an impact but appeared on the top 50 in the United Kingdom for downloads and sales, and the top 20 in New Zealand for its fast streams and airplay.

Development and production

Following the release of her fifth studio album Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land (2021), which received generally positive reviews from music critics who compared it to her previous works,[2] Welsh singer and songwriter Marina gave sporadic updates and hints of being in the recording studio. She soon ended her fourteen-year long contract with Atlantic Records on 22 May during her tour with the same name.[3] The same year in November, she uploaded an image through X (formerly Twitter) signing a document leading her independent label record, Queenie Records.[4]

Marina began working on new material which led to her announcing its debut poetry book titled Eat the World: A Collection of Poems (2024).[5] She disclosed in an interview on 2 April 2024 with Rolling Stone stating she had "been writing for six months" for her upcoming sixth studio album, but was not far along in the process.[6] After supporting Australian singer Kylie Minogue for a one-off show, she soon confirmed to Attitude in 15 July, that the album is currently set to be released the upcoming year.[7]

Composition and lyrics

Marina wrote, while she played the keyboards, synthesisers, and co-produced the song "Butterfly" alongside American record producer CJ Baran, whom played the drums, mellotron, and synthesisers. The track was engineered by Baran, Nathan Dantzler, and Mitch McCarthy.[8]

"Butterfly" is approximately a four-minute song written in the key of A minor, with a common time of 121 beats per minute (BPM).[9] The track is identified as a house-infused chamber pop,[10] and alt-pop anthem.[11] The lyricism of the song mainly represented the insect of the same name,[12] especially its life cycle showcasing the biological process of metamorphosis, which references spiritual rebirth and personal growth.[13]

Some music journalists debated if production and her previous albums Electra Heart (2012) and Froot (2015) had a connection, while others disagreed.[14] Caitlin Doherty for Staged Haze, saw the bridge sonically resembling "Are You Satisfied" from her debut album The Family Jewels (2010).[15] Genna Rivieccio for Culled Culture, corresponded the lyrics to her poetry collection, mainly "Butterfly" and "Cocoon".[16]

Promotion and release

It was later reported the singer began to distribute gift bags for her fans in January 2025, containing living caterpillars with care instructions on how to nurture them.[17] This "immersive campaign" received several mixed reactions such as environmental issues and its ethics but reached an "unprecedented level of prominence."[18] Marina eventually posted a twenty-second teaser of her lip-syncing the song on various social media platforms on 7 February. Shortly, she revealed the song to be titled "Butterfly", which would be released the next two weeks and made it available for pre-save via her website and different streaming services.[19]

Marina independently released the song on 21 February 2025, worldwide digitally for music download and streaming,[b] with a music video premiering the same day.[21] This marked four years after the release of "Venus Fly Trap" (2021) and her first self-released song since the acoustic extended play Froot (2015).[22] Afterwards, the song was later performed live at music festival Coachella 2025, alongside the following released songs "Cupid's Girl" and "Cuntissimo".[23]

Music video

An accompanying music video for "Butterfly" was released through video sharing platform YouTube, and was directed by Aerin Moreno.[24] It subsequently premiered through various digital channels owned by MTV Entertainment Group, and was showcased at a billboard for Paramount Plaza located in commercial intersection Times Square.[25]

The music video opens with a darkened bedroom featuring Marina, wearing a black girdle and red high heels,[26] laying over a plastic-covered bed, with her makeup reflecting the ambience around her.[27] She later begins to dance around through multiple vintage-styled liminal spaces, while wearing an ensemble of colorful garments. Marina choreographing resembles a butterfly, whom she wore a black bedazzled outfit featuring the insect.[28]

Credits and personnel

Song credits and personnel adapted from music streaming service Tidal.[8]

Chart performances

Chart performances for "Butterfly"
Chart (2025) Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[29] 19
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[30] 46
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[30] 48

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Butterfly"
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Various 21 February 2025
[31]

Footnotes

  1. ^ Although the song was self-released, its publication states as Queenie Records, Diamandis' independent record label.[1]
  2. ^ Diamandis gave an exclusive license for "Butterfly" and was distributed through music company BMG Rights Management.[20]

References

  1. ^ "Marina returns with "Butterfly" — Her first new song in three years". Hit Channel. 22 February 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  2. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (14 April 2021). "Marina announces Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land album with new track "Purge The Poison"". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  3. ^ Griffiths, George (24 May 2022). "Marina announces she's now an independent artist after 14 years with Atlantic Records on Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land Tour". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 6 April 2025. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  4. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (16 November 2022). "It looks like Marina might be launching her own record label". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 16 November 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  5. ^ Wilkes, Emma (2 April 2024). "Marina announces new book of poems, Eat The World". New Musical Express. Archived from the original on 12 April 2025. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  6. ^ Mier, Tomás (2 April 2024). "Marina found a 'magical new form of expression' through poetry. Now she's releasing a book". Rolling Stone. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on 27 February 2025. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  7. ^ Burn, Richard; Tabberer, Jamie (15 July 2024). "Marina confirms 6th studio album, talks new book of poetry and supporting Kylie Minogue". Attitude. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  8. ^ a b Diamandis, Marina (21 February 2025). "Butterfly". Tidal. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  9. ^ "Beats per minute and key for "Butterfly" by Marina". SongBPM. Archived from the original on 7 April 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  10. ^ March, Kim (21 February 2025). "Marina undergoes a metamorphosis on new single "Butterfly"". Flood. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
  11. ^ "Notion Now #233: Marina, Sam Fender, and Fontaines D.C." Notion. 21 February 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  12. ^ "Former student Marina Diamandis releases new single "Butterfly"". Haberdashers' Monmouth School. 25 February 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  13. ^ Marotta, Michael O'Connor (24 February 2025). "Marina spreads her alt-pop wings and shines bright like a "Butterfly"". Vanyaland. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  14. ^ Giarrusso, Sofia (23 February 2025). "Marina's Butterfly" doesn't earn its wings". Wecb. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  15. ^ Doherty, Caitlin (21 February 2025). "Marina's long-awaited single "Butterfly" is fine but forgettable". Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  16. ^ Rivieccio, Genna (21 February 2025). "The metamorphosis of Marina is complete with "Butterfly"". Culled Culture. Archived from the original on 24 February 2025. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  17. ^ Nandy, Anisa (1 February 2025). "'Bill Gates butterflies': Netizens react to Marina distributing caterpillars ahead of new music era to turn them into butterflies". SoapCentral. Nazara Technologies. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  18. ^ Rezwan, Babu (1 February 2025). "Marina sends caterpillars to fans ahead of new album launch". HypeFresh. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  19. ^ Wescott, Andrew (10 February 2025). "Marina is teasing her new single "Butterfly", set to land later this month". Dork. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  20. ^ Diamandis, Marina (21 February 2025). "Butterfly". Qobuz. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
  21. ^ Paul, Larisha (21 February 2025). "Marina takes flight in euphoric video for new single "Butterfly"". Rolling Stone. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  22. ^ Müller, Simon (23 February 2025). ""Butterfly" is the best single single in years". UMusic. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  23. ^ Dunworth, Liberty (9 April 2024). "Coachella 2025 weekend one: line-up, stage times and how to watch online". New Musical Express. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
  24. ^ Olson, Samantha (21 February 2025). "Marina is spreading her wings toward a new musical era with "Butterfly"". Cosmopolitan. Hearst Communications. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  25. ^ Phillips, Lucy (21 February 2025). "Marina returns with her new single "Butterfly"". Dork. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  26. ^ Müller, Simon (14 February 2025). "Marina advances video and chorus of "Butterfly"". UMusic. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  27. ^ Duran, Anagricel (21 February 2025). "Marina returns with blissful single "Butterfly"". New Musical Express. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  28. ^ Martello, Catalina (21 February 2025). "Marina returns with mesmerizing single and video "Butterfly"". MXDWN. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  29. ^ "New Zealand Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 28 February 2025. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  30. ^ a b "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  31. ^ Diamandis, Marina (21 February 2025). "Butterfly". Apple Music. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
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