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Maria Mena
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Maria Viktoria Mena (born 19 February 1986) is a Norwegian pop singer, best known for her singles such as "You're the Only One", "Just Hold Me", "All This Time" which charted in multiple countries.
Early life
[edit]Maria Viktoria Mena was born to a Norwegian mother and Charles Mena, a Nicaraguan-American drummer of Afro-Nicaraguan descent. There was a common misconception that her mother is a playwright, but Mena debunked this in an interview.[1] Both Maria and her brother, Tony, are named after characters from Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story.
Her father was born in Bluefields, Nicaragua where he lived until he was 10, at which point he and his mother, Mena's paternal grandmother, moved to New York.[2] After moving to Norway in 1986, he played in several bands in Oslo,[3] which influenced Mena to write and record her own music. When Mena was nine years old, her parents divorced. As a teenager, she began to battle depression[4] and various eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa,[5] as spoken of in her lyrics, interviews, concerts, and social media. Mena has spoken of battling depression and PTSD as an adult, and seeking help.[6]
Mena cared for her younger brother Tony for many years.[4] When Mena was 13 years old, she moved to live with her father. She sang and wrote lyrics as a form of self-soothing. "My Lullaby", a song from Mena's diary, expresses her pain from her parents' divorce[citation needed]. Mena's father contacted acquaintances in the music industry to record a demo. Presenting his daughter's demo to several record companies, Sony Music signed Mena to their label aged 16.[7]
Career
[edit]2002–2007: Early beginnings
[edit]In 2002, she released her debut single "Fragile (Free)" in Norway; however, it did not chart there. "My Lullaby" was released as the second single and the song reached number 5 on the Norwegian Singles Chart. It received heavy rotation on NRK P1, P3, P4, Radio 1, and Radio Oslo. The young singer quickly gained fans and soon earned her first platinum record. After the success of "My Lullaby", she released her debut album Another Phase in Norway which reached number 6 on the Norwegian Albums Chart. Mena made an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman to promote her first international album, White Turns Blue, which debuted at the top position on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart a week later and at number 102 on the Billboard 200. She made a breakthrough into the worldwide singles charts that year with "You're the Only One", a single successful in multiple countries. The song was her only single to appear on a Billboard chart, making No. 25 on the U.S. Top 40 Mainstream. "You're the Only One" peaked at No. 30 on the Dutch Top 40 and No. 19 on the Dutch Mega Single Top 100. Two months earlier, in March 2004, Mena had released her second album in Norway. Mellow. Less successful than her 2002 debut, it still managed to peak at No. 7 in Norway. The second single from both albums was "Just a Little Bit", which did not chart anywhere.
2005 saw the release of Apparently Unaffected in Norway and several other European countries, fronted by singles "Miss You Love" and "Just Hold Me". A significant success in Norway, the album has earned her three Spellemann nominations: Best Female Artist, Best Hit, and Best Music Video. In the Netherlands, the album was released in June 2006 and charted at No. 82. It slowly climbed the chart to reach its peak position in its 27th week at No. 11, as "Just Hold Me" was getting airplay again. "Just Hold Me" was released in May 2006, but then did not chart in the official Dutch Top 40, but did chart in the country's physical singles chart, the Mega Single Top 100, at No. 27. In October 2006, the song started getting heavy airplay again and this time it reached the official Dutch Top 40 and peaked at No. 26. In the Mega Single Top 100, it peaked at No. 7 in the beginning of November 2006. Mena performed at sold-out concerts in Utrecht and Amsterdam, following the success of "Just Hold Me". The album was at No. 48 at the Dutch year-end chart, outselling major artists such as Pink's I'm Not Dead, Nelly Furtado's Loose, and Beyoncé Knowles' B'Day. "Miss You Love" was released as the album's second single in the Netherlands and reached No. 61 on the Mega Singles Top 100.
On 7 July 2007, she performed at the German leg of Live Earth in Hamburg.
2008–2014: Cause and Effect, Viktoria, and Weapon in Mind
[edit]Having worked on her three first studio albums with Norwegian producer Arvid Solvang, Mena started collaborating with Martin Sjølie in early 2008 on what would become her fourth studio album, Cause and Effect. The album's first single, "Belly Up" had its radio premiere mid-June 2008 on Norwegian radio. Cause and Effect was released on 17 September in Norway. The first international single was "All This Time". The album was internationally released on 26 September 2008. This album garnered her a Spellemann for Best Female Artist.
Mena's song "Sorry" was featured on the third season of US So You Think You Can Dance and "What's Another Day" was featured during the fourth season. She released "All This Time" in the UK on 11 April 2010.
In 2011 Mena recorded her version of "Mitt lille land" (My Little Country) by Ole Paus as part of a project by the Norwegian TV channel TV2. On 23 July, the day after the Norway terrorist attacks and after requests from her Norwegian audience, Mena uploaded her version of the song to the streaming site SoundCloud. It quickly became an anthem in memory of the victims of the attacks. She contributed to the album Mitt lille land, performing one of two versions of the title track (the other was performed by Ole Paus). As of 2011 Mena had sold a total of 700,000 copies of her albums, and half of those copies had been sold in Norway.[8]
Her fifth studio album Viktoria was released on 23 September 2011 and was produced by Martin Sjølie.[9]
Her sixth album Weapon in Mind was released in 2013, becoming her first album to reach number one in Norway. Even though all three singles of the album failed to chart inside top 20 Norway Singles Chart, "Fuck You" and "I Always Liked That" became two of her best selling singles in Norway, both certified 2× Platinum.[10]
2015–present: Growing Pains and They Never Leave Their Wives
[edit]Mena released the single "I Don't Wanna See You with Her" on 6 November 2015.[11] Her seventh studio album Growing Pains was released on 4 December 2015.[12]
In March 2020, Mena announced a new album (sometimes recognized as an EP), They Never Leave Their Wives.[13] The album was released on 23 October 2020.[14] Mena released three singles from the album, "Not OK", "Lies (They Never Leave Their Wives)", and "You Live and You Learn".[15][16][17]
In October 2020, Mena announced that she will release a new album in March 2021.[18] In April 2021 Mena made a new announcement, saying she will postpone the release of her new material until she can play concerts again. The concert venues in Norway have been closed for longer periods during the COVID-19 pandemic.[19] She described the upcoming album as a sequel to They Never Leave Their Wives, containing songs about a woman who is on her own and then finds love.[20]
In August 2022, Mena was cast in the second season of the Viaplay series Furia.[21][22] Mena also auditioned for a role in the Norwegian TV series Etterglød (Afterglow), where she was not cast but offered to make a song for the soundtrack.[22] That song is "It Was Love", which was released on 23 September 2022.[23]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Title | Album details | Chart positions | Certifications | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOR [24] |
AUT [25] |
GER [26] |
NL [27] |
POL [28] |
SWI [29] | |||
| Another Phase |
|
6 | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Mellow |
|
7 | — | — | — | — | — |
|
| Apparently Unaffected |
|
6 | 40 | 22 | 11 | — | 56 | |
| Cause and Effect |
|
4 | 23 | 20 | 8 | 43 | 13 | |
| Viktoria |
|
2 | 29 | 18 | 17 | — | 13 |
|
| Weapon in Mind |
|
1 | — | 59 | 14 | — | 30 | |
| Growing Pains |
|
6 | — | — | 31 | — | 75 | |
| And Then Came You |
|
5 [35] |
— | — | — | — | — | |
Compilation albums
[edit]| Title | Album details | Chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| US [36] | ||
| White Turns Blue |
|
102 |
EPs
[edit]| Title | EP details | Chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| NOR [37] | ||
| They Never Leave Their Wives |
|
12 |
Singles
[edit]As lead artist
[edit]| Year | Title | Chart positions | Certification | Album | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOR [39] |
AUT [25] |
EU | GER [26] |
NL 40 [40] |
NL 100 [41] |
NZ [42] |
SWI [29] |
UK [43] |
US [44] | ||||
| 2002 | "Fragile (Free)" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Another Phase & White Turns Blue | |
| "My Lullaby" | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ||
| 2004 | "You're the Only One" | 8 | — | 43 | — | 30 | 19 | 35 | — | — | 86 | Mellow & White Turns Blue | |
| "Just a Little Bit" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| 2006 | "Miss You Love" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Apparently Unaffected | |
| "Just Hold Me" | 2 | 4 | 52 | 14 | 26 | 7 | — | 5 | 158 | — | |||
| "Miss You Love" (re-release) 1 | — | — | 147 | 73 | — | 61 | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Our Battles" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 81 | — | — | |||
| 2008 | "Nevermind Me" 2 | — | — | — | 84 | — | 76 | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Belly Up" 3 | 4 | — | 75 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Cause and Effect | ||
| "All This Time" | 7 | 7 | 13 | 15 | 6 | 7 | — | 14 | — | — | |||
| 2009 | "I'm in Love" | — | — | — | — | — | 54 | — | — | — | — | ||
| "I Was Made for Lovin' You" | — | 44 | — | 91 | — | — | — | 20 | — | — | |||
| 2010 | "Home for Christmas" | 1 | — | 56 | — | — | 98 | — | — | — | — |
|
Hjem Til Jul soundtrack |
| 2011 | "This Too Shall Pass" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Viktoria | |
| "Homeless" | — | — | — | — | — | 69 | — | 65 | — | — | |||
| 2012 | "Viktoria" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2013 | "Fuck You" | —[A] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
|
Weapon in Mind |
| "I Always Liked That" | —[B] | — | 188 | — | — | 100 | — | — | — | — |
| ||
| 2014 | "Til Alle Tider" | —[C] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Bauta – En hyllest til Bjørn Eidsvåg | |
| 2015 | "I Don't Wanna See You with Her" | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
|
Growing Pains |
| 2016 | "Leaving You"[47] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2020 | "Not OK"[48] | 37 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
|
They Never Leave Their Wives |
| "Lies (They Never Leave Their Wives)"[49] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "You Live and You Learn"[50] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Jula Hjemme" (featuring Trygve Skaug) | 16 [51] |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| 2021 | "I Need a Man" (Hver gang vi møtes) | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
|
Stian Staysmans dag (Sesong 11) |
| "Ghettoparasitt" (Hver gang vi møtes) | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Hkeems dag (Sesong 11) | ||
| "Stein på stein" (Hver gang vi møtes) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Arne Hurlens dag (Sesong 11) | ||
| "Goin' Insane" (Hver gang vi møtes) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Agnete Sabas dag (Sesong 11) | ||
| "Når en skumring blir blå" (Hver gang vi møtes) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Hanne Kroghs dag (Sesong 11) | ||
| "Det går over" (Hver gang vi møtes) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Trygve Skaugs dag (Sesong 11) | ||
| "Speil" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| 2022 | "It Was Love" [52] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | TBA | |
| "Alt du vil ha" (with Isah)[53] | 2 [54] |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| 2023 | "Not Worth It" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | And Then Came You | |
| "Try Again Tomorrow" (featuring Darling West) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Easy Love" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Till The Water Runs Clear" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
As featured artist
[edit]| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOR [39] |
GER [26] | |||
| 2005 | "Everytime" (Whimsical featuring Maria Mena) |
— | — | The Glow |
| 2009 | "Wide Awake" (Sasha featuring Maria Mena) |
— | 68 | Lila, Lila soundtrack |
| "Konfliktsky" (Jaa9 & OnklP featuring Maria Mena) |
— | — | Sellout! | |
| 2012 | "Fåkke fly bort" (Madcon featuring Maria Mena) |
— | — | Contakt |
| 2013 | "Colder" (LidoLido featuring Maria Mena and Bun B) |
— | — | Battle Poetry |
| 2020 | "Narnia" (Aiba featuring Maria Mena) |
— | — | TBA |
| 2021 | "Den fineste Chevy'n" (Halva Priset featuring Maria Mena) |
1 | — | TBA |
Promotional singles
[edit]| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | "Blame It on Me"[55] | Another Phase |
| "Sleep to Dream"[56] | ||
| 2004 | "Patience"[57] | Mellow |
| 2011 | "Habits" (featuring Mads Langer)4[58] | Viktoria |
| "A Stranger to Me"[59] | ||
| 2014 | "Til alle tider"[60] | Bauta – En hyllest til Bjørn Eidsvåg |
| 2020 | "Mitt Lille Land"[61] | Non-album single |
| 2021 | "You Broke Me"[62] | They Never Leave Their Wives |
| "Ghettoparasitt" (featuring Hkeem and Sisi)[63] |
Non-album single |
Notes
- 1: The single was officially released in the Netherlands, Germany, Spain and Austria in 2007.
- 2: The single was officially released in the Netherlands in 2009.
- 3: "Belly Up" was only released in Norway.
- 4: "Habits" was only released in the Netherlands.
Awards and nominations
[edit]As of 2013, Maria Mena had had 11 Spellemannprisen (Norwegian Grammy) nominations, and won one for Best Female Artist in 2008.
| Year | Award | Nominated work | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Spellemannprisen | Another Phase | Best Pop Solo | Nominated |
| Best Newcomer | Nominated | |||
| "My Lullaby" | Best Song | Nominated | ||
| 2004 | MTV Europe Music Awards | Herself | Best Nordic Act | Nominated |
| 2005 | Spellemannprisen | "Miss You Love" | Best Music Video | Nominated |
| Best Hit | Nominated | |||
| Apparently Unaffected | Best Female Artist | Nominated | ||
| 2007 | SWR3 Awards | Herself | Best New Pop Act | Won |
| 2008 | Radio Regenbogen Awards | Best International Newcomer | Won | |
| Echo Awards | Apparently Unaffected | Nominated | ||
| Spellemannprisen | Cause and Effect | Best Female Artist | Won | |
| "All This Time" | Best Music Video | Nominated | ||
| Best Music Video Direction 1 | Nominated | |||
| 2009 | MTV Europe Music Awards | Herself | Best Norwegian Act | Nominated |
| Norwegian Music Critics Award | Best Female Artist | Won | ||
| Echo Awards | Cause and Effect | Best International Rock/Pop Female Artist | Nominated | |
| 2010 | Spellemannprisen | "Home For Christmas" | Best Hit | Nominated |
| 2011 | Viktoria | Best Lyricist | Nominated | |
| 2012 | Edvard Prize2 | Herself | Pop Category | Won |
| 2013 | MTV Europe Music Awards | Best Norwegian Act | Nominated | |
| Spellemannprisen | Weapon in Mind | Best Pop Solo | Nominated | |
| 2014 | Costume Awards | Herself | Instagrammer of the Year | Nominated |
| Best Dressed Woman | Nominated | |||
| 2015 | Norsk Artistforbund's Honorary Award[64] | Herself | Pop Category | Won |
Notes
- 1: Nomination goes to director of the music video Alex Herron.
- 2: Special award given by TONO, copyright organisation for musicians and composers in Norway.
Footnotes
[edit]- ^ "Fuck You" did not enter the VG-lista Singles Chart, but peaked at number 6 on the Norway Digital Song Sales chart.[45]
- ^ "I Always Liked That" did not enter the VG-lista Singles Chart, but peaked at number 9 on the Norway Digital Song Sales chart.[45]
- ^ "Til Alle Tider" did not enter the VG-lista Singles Chart, but peaked at number 9 on the Norway Digital Song Sales chart.[46]
References
[edit]- ^ FaceCulture (31 May 2009). Maria Mena interview (part 2).
- ^ Mena, Maria. "Facebook Post". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ "Charles Mena Discogs Profile". www.discogs.com. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ a b "Maria Mena on Instagram: "I dag er det 20 år siden jeg signerte min første platekontrakt med sony... en kontrakt som endret livet mitt på absolutt alle måter. Om jeg begynner å tenke på hvor livet mitt var på vei på den tiden så kjenner jeg klumpen i halsen bli tykk.. og det har tatt meg veldig mange år å ikke lenger være redd for at denne muligheten skal bli tatt fra meg.. ja, ville du trodd meg om jeg sa jeg var redd for det allerede i fjor sommer? Sannheten er at den jenta du ser på bildet over er en skikkelig "lost soul" hun har vært storesøster og ekstra-manma hele sitt liv, for sin bror.. for sine foreldre. Hun er skolelei, ikke IKKE smart men lei og ingen av lærerne hennes plukker opp eller skjønner hvor smart hun egentlig er.. og hun orker ikke kjempe lenger. Depresjonen har gjort sitt første inntog.. dette forstår hun 10 år senere at det at hun vil sove hele tiden er et tegn. Så kommer Det en mulighet til å bryte ut.. NOEN der ute synes hun er flink! Er det kødd???? Flere voksne tror på henne!!! Og hun som ikke prøvde engang!! Hun hadde selv aldri turt å stikke nesen frem!!! Takk pappa, for at du gikk rundt md demoen min, takk rune og fam for at dere tok meg inn. Takk sony- familien min! Takk til alle som ikke trodde på det anmelderne sa... at jeg var en døgnflue. Takk! @sonymusicnorway @livenationnorge @timeoutagency foto: beste @agnete_brun"". Instagram.
- ^ "Maria Mena on Instagram: "Første gang jeg fikk proffesjonell hjelp var jeg 16 år. Jeg bor hjemme på et syrinlilla pikerom på Bogerud i oslo. Et rom som det siste året, har gått fra å være enhver ungpikeS drømmerom, med egen tv, og stor seng, til å bli et fengsel. Jeg har låst meg inne i flere måneder. Jeg har gjemt en baderomsvekt under den store sengen og søppelbøtten under leksepulten bruker jeg aktivt til å tømme magesekken i etter fellesmiddagene som min far tvinger meg til å delta i. Det er når jeg ikke har energi til å gå de 200 meterne til søppelkassen utenfor blokka.. men heller gjemmer posene med oppkast på en vinterkledd veranda, at jeg blir oppdaget.. og tvunget til å få hjelp av privat karakter. Jeg tjener egne penger på den tiden, bulimien er min fulltidsjobb men jeg jobber deltid som popstjerne og kan ta meg råd til å få hjelp. Det er det ikke alle som kan og det skremmer meg å tenke på hva som hadde skjedd med meg om jeg ikke hadde kunnet gå privat. .., (teksten fortsetter i neste innlegg)"". Instagram.
- ^ "Maria Mena on Instagram: ".. Neste gang det brenner på dass er i 2016. Jeg er redusert til bare skinn og bein. Jeg har skilt meg og jeg har kjærlighetssorg noe som trigger og retraumatiserer min PTSD (posttraumatisk stress) ord som er komisk lette å skrive nå i ettertid men som holdt på å ta livet av meg da det stormet som verst. Etter et par år med selvmedisinering i form av alkohol og diverse. Og små desperate forsøk hos forskjellige kognitive psykologer så innser jeg at det ikke er nok! Jeg trenger mer drastisk hjelp. Jeg ringer en venn som er lege.. og sier rolig at jeg ikke vil leve mer og at det ikke er likt meg. Han kjenner en psykiater som jobber på psykiatrisk legevakt i oslo annenhver lørdag, og sender meg dit.. men han gjør det veldig klart at det er nærmest UMULIG å komme igjennom det nåløyet og få hjelp. Han sier han selv har prøvd å sende meget syke pasienter videre til psykiatrien men at de har fått blankt avslag. De har ikke kapasitet. Jeg blir, den lørdags ettermiddagen, henvist og får plass hos psykiater etter 8 timer i kø, og jeg vet at det var fordi jeg heter Maria Mena. Dette redder livet mitt men jeg sitter her med verdens bitreste smak i kjeften. Jeg har selv sett venner og bekjente tape kampen mens de står på venteliste. Jeg har selv ringt til institusjoner på vegne av venner for å desperat fortelle legene at det er krise!!! Jeg har selv sunget i begravelser jeg er helt sikker på at jeg ikke hadde trengt å synge i, hadde personen fått hjelp tidsnok. I dag er verdensdagen for psykisk helse.. jeg lever fordi jeg fikk god hjelp i god tid.. men vi har en lang vei å gå. For det hjelper ikke å be folk søke hjelp om hjelpen ikke finnes!! Så Kjære norge.. kjære Jonas.. FIKS DET! #worldmentalhealthday #verdensdagenforpsykiskhelse"". Instagram.
- ^ NRK. "NRK.no – Artistar". nrk.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 28 October 2017.
- ^ "Mega-Mena". Dagbladet. 28 November 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- ^ Genzel, Christian. "Viktoria – Maria Mena | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
- ^ "IFPI". IFPI Norway. 10 March 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
- ^ "Single Review: Maria Mena – I Don't Wanna See You With Her". A Bit Of Pop Music. 8 November 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
- ^ "Growing Pains by Maria Mena on Apple Music". iTunes. 4 December 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
- ^ "Maria Mena til Hamar". Østlendingen (in Norwegian). 5 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ^ "They never leave their wives by Maria Mena on Apple Music". Apple.com. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "Not OK – Single av Maria Mena på Apple Music". Apple Music (in Norwegian). Retrieved 24 April 2020.
- ^ "Nieuwe single Maria Mena – "Lies (They Never Leave Their Wives)"". Dansende Beren (in Dutch). 28 June 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- ^ "You Live and You Learn – Single by Maria Mena on Apple Music". Apple Music. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
- ^ "Maria Mena zing over affaire met getrouwde man". nu.nl (in Dutch). 23 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "Maria Mena utsetter album: – Sitter på noen skikkelig bra låter". vg.no (in Norwegian). 3 April 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
- ^ "Maria Mena: Må avlyse turné – men lykkelig privat". vg.no (in Norwegian). 20 August 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ "Maria Mena debuterer som skuespiller: – Gjør meg ekstremt sårbar". www.vg.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). 30 August 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- ^ a b "Maria Mena prøvespilte for "Etterglød": – Ikke riktig for rollen". www.vg.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). 22 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- ^ "Maria Mena synger om livsglede, kjærlighet og død for "Etterglød"". NTB (in Norwegian). Retrieved 30 September 2022.
- ^ "Norway Charts". Lista.vg.no. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
- ^ a b "Discographie Maria Mena". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
- ^ a b c "Discographie Maria Mena". offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
- ^ "NL Album Chart & Mega Singles Top 100". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
- ^ "Maria Mena – Cause and Effect – Music Charts". Acharts.us. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
- ^ a b "Discographie Maria Mena". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Norwegian certifications – Maria Mena" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
- ^ a b "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Maria Mena)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
- ^ a b "Dutch certifications – Maria Mena" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 2 October 2021. Enter Maria Mena in the "Artiest of titel" box.
- ^ a b c "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Maria Mena)". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
- ^ "Album 2023 uke 38". VG-lista. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
- ^ "Maria Mena Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
- ^ "Topp 40 Album 2020–44 – VG-lista 2020". vglista.no. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ "They never leave their wives by Maria Mena on Apple Music". apple.com. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Maria Mena – VG-lista". vglista.no. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
- ^ "Maria Mena | Top 40-artiesten". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
- ^ "dutchcharts.nl – Dutch charts portal". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 25 December 2010.
- ^ "Discography Maria Mena". charts.nz. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
- ^ "Chart Log UK 1994–2010: M – My Vitriol". zobbel.de. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
- ^ "Maria Mena Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
- ^ a b "Billboard". Billboard. Archived from the original on 27 May 2022.
- ^ "Billboard". Billboard. Archived from the original on 27 May 2022.
- ^ "Leaving You – Single par Maria Mena". iTunes. 11 March 2016.
- ^ ""Not OK – Single" von Maria Mena". 24 April 2020.
- ^ "Lies (They never leave their wives) – Single by Maria Mena". 26 June 2020.
- ^ "You Live and You Learn – Single by Maria Mena". 4 September 2020.
- ^ "Singel 2022 uke 50". VG-lista. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
- ^ "It Was Love". Spotify.
- ^ "Alt du vil ha". Spotify.
- ^ "Singel 2023 uke 01". VG-lista. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
- ^ "Maria Mena – Blame It on Me". Discogs. 2002.
- ^ "Maria Mena – Sleep to Dream (2002, CDR)". Discogs. 2002.
- ^ "Maria Mena – Patience (2004, Card sleeve, CD)". Discogs. 2004.
- ^ "Maria Mena Ft. Mads Langer – Habits (2011, CDR)". Discogs. 2011.
- ^ "A Stranger to Me – Single by Maria Mena". 16 September 2011.
- ^ "Til Alle Tider by Maria Mena". 21 March 2014.
- ^ "Mitt Lille Land – Single by Maria Mena". 10 July 2020.
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Maria Mena – You Broke Me (Lyric Video)". YouTube. 4 February 2021.
- ^ "Ghettoparasitt (Feat. Hkeem & Sisi) – Single by Maria Mena". 5 March 2021.
- ^ "Norsk Artistforbunds ærespris for 2015 til Maria Mena" (in Norwegian). Ballade. 18 February 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Maria Mena.
- Official website
- Maria's official blog
- Official fanclub Germany, Austria and Switzerland Archived 18 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- Official fanclub Netherlands
- Last.fm Group Archived 12 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- LiveJournal Community
- Maria Mena at IMDb
- http://www.scandipop.co.uk/?p=6549
- https://web.archive.org/web/20140624161232/http://soundcloud.com/maria-mena/maria-mena-mitt-lille-land
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Maria Mena
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Family background and childhood
Maria Viktoria Mena was born on February 19, 1986, in Oslo, Norway, to a Norwegian mother and Charles Mena, a drummer of Afro-Nicaraguan descent who was born in Nicaragua and raised in New York City before relocating to Norway.[4][5] Her father performed in multiple bands in Oslo, immersing Mena in a musical environment from early childhood that later influenced her songwriting.[5] She has a younger brother, Tony, with both siblings named after characters from the musical West Side Story.[6] Mena's parents divorced when she was nine years old, around 1995, prompting her to begin writing lyrics as a coping mechanism for the emotional turmoil.[4][7] The separation contributed to periods of depression and the development of an eating disorder during her pre-teen years.[8] At age 13, in 1999, she moved to live with her father, who facilitated her entry into the music industry by connecting her with producers to record demos of her compositions.[8][7] This familial upheaval and paternal support shaped her early artistic expression, focusing on themes of personal vulnerability and relational strain.[4]Discovery and early musical training
Maria Mena's interest in music was initially sparked by her father's profession as a drummer in several Oslo-based bands, which exposed her to a creative environment from a young age.[9] Following her parents' divorce when she was nine years old, Mena began using songwriting as a therapeutic outlet to process her emotions, starting around age 11 or 13.[10][11] She composed her early lyrics without formal instruction, drawing inspiration from personal diary entries and influences such as Alanis Morissette's candid style.[11] At approximately 13 years old, after moving to live with her musician father, Mena wrote "My Lullaby," a track derived from her diary that later became one of her debut singles.[11] Lacking structured musical education, her "training" consisted of informal home recording sessions facilitated by her father, who produced a demo tape featuring her original compositions.[12] This demo showcased her raw vocal and lyrical abilities, honed through self-directed practice rather than institutional lessons. Mena's discovery by the music industry occurred when her father presented the demo to record labels, leading to a signing with Sony Music at around age 15.[13][14] The label recognized her potential as a young songwriter, paving the way for professional development; by 16, in 2002, she released her first singles, marking the transition from amateur experimentation to a recording career.[1] This path emphasized innate talent and familial support over conventional training programs.Career
Breakthrough and debut era (2002–2007)
Maria Mena signed with Sony Music Norway in her mid-teens after her father submitted a demo of her songs to record labels, paving the way for her professional debut.[1] Her breakthrough arrived in 2002 with the single "My Lullaby," released when she was 16, which peaked at number 5 on the Norwegian Singles Chart and spent 9 weeks there.[15] This led to her debut album Another Phase, issued on April 18, 2002, featuring acoustic pop-rock tracks and peaking at number 6 on the Norwegian Albums Chart.[16][17] In March 2004, Mena released her second album Mellow, which achieved a peak of number 7 on the Norwegian Albums Chart but saw comparatively lower commercial traction than her debut.[18] The album's single "You're the Only One" reached number 8 on the Norwegian Singles Chart.[19] Mena's third album, Apparently Unaffected, released on November 14, 2005, marked a return to stronger performance, peaking at number 6 on the Norwegian Albums Chart and charting for 23 weeks.[20] Lead singles "Miss You Love" and "Just Hold Me" drove its success, with the latter peaking at number 2 on the Norwegian Singles Chart in 2006 and prompting re-releases in markets like the Netherlands.[21] The album earned three nominations at the 2005 Spellemannprisen, Norway's premier music awards, including Best Female Artist and Best Hit.[22]Consolidation and thematic albums (2008–2014)
Maria Mena released her fourth studio album, Cause and Effect, on October 24, 2008.[23] The album features 11 tracks, including singles "Belly Up" released exclusively in Norway and the international single "All This Time (Pick-Me-Up Song)", which achieved significant commercial success.[24] Lyrically, the record delves into confessional themes of personal struggles, such as eating disorders depicted in the title track, where Mena addresses dieting pressures and self-denial through stark imagery like "I can't laugh too hard, I'm on a diet".[25] [26] Reviewers noted its therapeutic quality, with Mena using songwriting as a means to process childhood experiences and emotional turmoil.[27] Following a period of personal reflection, Mena issued Viktoria, her fifth studio album, on September 23, 2011.[28] Named after her middle name honoring her great-grandmother, the 11-track collection maintains a stripped-down acoustic style, emphasizing stability in both music and lyrics compared to prior works.[29] Key singles included "Homeless", "The Art of Forgiveness", and "Habits" featuring Danish singer Mads Langer.[30] The album's introspective tone continues Mena's exploration of relational dynamics and emotional resilience, presented through quiet, intimate arrangements.[31] In 2013, Mena delivered Weapon in Mind, her sixth studio album, comprising 13 original songs co-composed with drummer Mats Lie Skåre. This release incorporates electronic elements and digital vocal effects alongside familiar pop structures, as heard in tracks like "Madness" and the upbeat "You Make Me Feel Good".[32] Thematic content persists in examining mental health challenges, including depression and relational conflicts, with explicit language in songs such as "Fuck You" underscoring raw confrontations.[33] The album represents a consolidation of Mena's songwriting voice, blending vulnerability with experimental production to address ongoing personal battles.[34]Maturity and recent releases (2015–present)
Mena released her seventh studio album, Growing Pains, on December 4, 2015, marking a shift toward introspective content drawn from personal turmoil following her divorce.[35] The record examines emotional challenges including low self-esteem, verbal abuse, volatile relationships, and childhood hardships, reflecting a phase of self-reckoning amid life's disruptions.[36] In October 2020, she issued They Never Leave Their Wives, a seven-track EP centered on the pitfalls of infidelity and recovery from manipulative partnerships, with the title track "Lies (they never leave their wives)" highlighting realizations about unavailable partners.[37] Released on October 23, the project extends themes of healing from Growing Pains, emphasizing emotional liberation through candid lyricism about being the "other woman" and breaking free from toxicity.[38] Mena's 2023 album And Then Came You, comprising 12 songs and released on September 15, continues her exploration of relational dynamics, progressing from isolation to tentative romance with tracks like "Keep Me Warm" and "It Was Love."[39] This work, paired in a 2023 vinyl edition with They Never Leave Their Wives, underscores her evolving focus on resilience and tentative optimism in love.[40] In 2022, she collaborated on the Norwegian-language single "Alt du vil ha" with Isah for the TV program Hver gang vi møtes, adapting themes of devotion and sacrifice.[41]Other professional activities
Acting roles and media appearances
Mena made her acting debut in the Norwegian crime thriller series Furia, portraying the Minister of Justice in its six-episode second season, which premiered in 2023.[42] The role marked her transition from music into scripted television, with the series focusing on espionage and political intrigue.[43] Beyond acting, Mena has appeared frequently in media as a performer and guest. She served as a musical guest on the Late Show with David Letterman in the United States.[44] In Norway and Europe, she featured on talk and variety shows including Skavlan, a Scandinavian late-night program, and I kveld med Ylvis, hosted by the comedy duo Ylvis.[45] Additional appearances encompass Huskestue, a Norwegian entertainment series, and German programs like Schmidt & Pocher.[45] These outings typically highlighted her music career alongside light discussions of personal topics.Collaborations and side projects
Mena collaborated with Danish singer Mads Langer on the duet "Habits", which appeared on her 2011 album Viktoria and addressed themes of routine and relational dependency through harmonized vocals.[46] The track, produced under Sony Music Entertainment Norway, featured Langer's contributions to the chorus and bridge, marking one of her early high-profile vocal partnerships.[47] In 2011, Mena recorded a cover of Ole Paus's "Mitt lille land" ("My Little Country") as part of a Norwegian TV2 charity initiative supporting national unity, releasing it on July 23 amid public appeals for solidarity.[9] This acoustic rendition diverged from her typical pop style, emphasizing introspective folk elements in a non-album context. She has also performed covers of songs such as Kiss's "I Was Made for Lovin' You" and Stein Torleif's "Stein på stein", often in live or tribute settings outside her primary discography.[48] Later features include her guest vocals on Halva Priset's "Den fineste Chevy'n" in 2021, a Norwegian-language track blending pop and narrative storytelling about rural life and vehicles, released as a single.[49] More recently, in October 2024, Mena appeared alongside Decaramelo on Kid Sergio's "A VOLAR", a high-energy collaboration distributed via DistroKid, showcasing her adaptability to contemporary Latin-influenced pop production.[50] These projects highlight her selective involvement in cross-genre and multilingual efforts, typically limited to one-off recordings rather than extended band affiliations.Personal life
Family and relationships
Mena was born to Anne Orstad, a Norwegian mother, and Charles Mena, a Nicaraguan-American father of Afro-Nicaraguan descent who worked as a drummer and grew up in New York.[6][5] She has a younger brother named Tony, with both siblings named after the protagonists from the musical West Side Story.[6] Her parents' divorce during her childhood profoundly affected her, inspiring early compositions such as "My Lullaby," which directly conveys the distress of familial separation.[6] Mena began a relationship with Eivind Sæther around 2007; he proposed to her in Oslo on October 12, 2010, after five years together, and the pair married in 2012.[51] The marriage ended in divorce, with Mena later detailing the prolonged emotional recovery in interviews tied to her 2019 album Growing Pains and subsequent releases, where themes of relational betrayal and healing predominate.[1][52] Subsequent personal experiences, including encounters with deceptive partners, have informed her songwriting on infidelity and self-repair, as explored in tracks from They Never Leave Their Wives (2020).[53]Health challenges and public disclosures
Mena experienced depression and eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, beginning in her teenage years after her parents' divorce when she was nine years old in 1995. These challenges stemmed from family instability, prompting her to cope through songwriting as early as age 13. She has referenced these struggles in her music, notably in songs from her 2011 album Cause and Effect, which were inspired by her personal history with the illness.[54] In a 2021 interview, Mena described her anorexia as extending into her twenties, intertwining with relational difficulties and serving as a key source of inspiration for her albums during that period. Her disclosures extend to broader mental health advocacy, with lyrics in tracks like "Not OK" addressing the isolation and misunderstanding faced during episodes of poor mental health.[52][55] Mena has maintained openness about ongoing emotional recovery, including from relational trauma, which she links to physical manifestations like bodily shutdowns during crises. In April 2024, she publicly announced reaching one year of sobriety, framing it as a deliberate practice of daily self-accountability independent of life circumstances such as pregnancy.[53][56]Musical style and influences
Lyrical themes and songwriting approach
Maria Mena's lyrics predominantly explore introspective and confessional themes drawn from her personal life, including mental health challenges, dysfunctional relationships, childhood traumas, and the process of emotional healing. Songs such as "Eyesore" address eating disorders and low self-esteem rooted in adolescent struggles, while "It Took Me By Surprise" depicts psychological abuse in a reversed dynamic where the female partner exerts control.[11] [57] Her work often examines self-destructive patterns, as in "Self-Fulfilling Prophecy," which portrays how negative worldviews perpetuate toxic cycles and self-hatred.[58] Later material, including tracks from the 2021 album They Never Leave Their Wives, confronts the pain of infidelity, divorce, and rebuilding self-love, with Mena reflecting on transitioning from "the wife" to "the other woman" and the ensuing loss of faith in romantic love.[53] These themes stem from Mena's practice of using songwriting as a form of self-therapy, akin to diary entries begun in her teenage years to process familial and personal hardships, such as her parents' divorce and verbal abuse.[11] She has described her music as a means to "peel layers" and understand unresolved issues, prioritizing raw honesty over external validation or censorship for others' sensitivities.[11] Influences like Alanis Morissette's bold, unfiltered approach encouraged this vulnerability, shaping Mena's commitment to excavating psychological depths rather than superficial narratives.[11][53] Mena's songwriting process emphasizes authenticity and introspection, requiring her to confront uncomfortable truths about herself before committing ideas to melody or verse. She has noted that effective writing demands "being honest with myself," often involving deep dives into relational psychologies and past wounds, which can evoke intense emotional release, such as crying during studio sessions.[53] The method varies—sometimes starting with a title, lyrics, or melody—but consistently serves as a confessional outlet, functioning as her "best friend" for harboring secrets and fostering growth.[53] [59] Collaborations with producers like Olav Tronsmoen and Anders Nilsen aid refinement, but the core remains solitary and therapeutic, focused on crafting "really good songs" at home to capture lived experiences without dilution.[13][53] This approach evolved from early naivety, with Mena taking years to grasp her creative instincts, ultimately viewing it as essential for mental survival amid career pressures.[53]Vocal technique and production elements
Maria Mena's vocal technique features a breathy quality with delicate phrasing, enabling emotional depth in her confessional pop style, supported by diaphragmatic breathing for sustained quiet tones and clear articulation through precise diction.[60] Her recorded vocal range extends from C4 to E5, approximately 1.3 octaves, as evidenced in tracks like "Just Hold Me," allowing for versatile expression within mezzo-soprano territory without extreme registers.[61] Reviewers have noted her voice as innocent, sweet, and capable of painting emotional narratives, prioritizing raw vulnerability over technical virtuosity.[31] In production, Mena's early albums, including Another Phase (2005) and Apparently Unaffected (2005), were helmed by Norwegian producer Arvid Solvang, who integrated acoustic elements with pop structures to accentuate her intimate delivery, often using minimalistic arrangements featuring guitar and subtle percussion.[62] By Cause and Effect (2008), she collaborated with Martin Sjølie, shifting toward pop-rock production with layered instrumentation and polished mixes that balanced her direct vocals against fuller band sounds, including electric guitars and programmed beats.[63] Later works involved producers like Olav Tronsmoen, emphasizing organic songwriting sessions that preserved her emotive timbre amid alternative pop frameworks.[53] These choices consistently foreground her voice as the central element, avoiding heavy auto-tune or effects in favor of natural resonance.[2]Reception
Critical evaluations
Critics have frequently commended Maria Mena for her introspective and candid songwriting, which draws from personal experiences including family dynamics, romantic turmoil, and mental health issues, often delivering lyrics that resonate with emotional authenticity. In a 2004 review of her debut album White Turns Blue, the Daily Vault highlighted the precocious maturity of her themes—written when she was 16—describing them as insightful explorations of adolescent angst and relationships, though noting the production as conventional mainstream pop-rock lacking innovation.[64] Similarly, evaluations of Cause and Effect (2008) praised standout tracks like "All This Time" for their honest, well-crafted narratives, positioning her as a capable singer-songwriter in the pop genre.[27] However, some reviewers have critiqued Mena's work for musical repetitiveness and underdeveloped arrangements, particularly in later releases where emotional intensity sometimes overshadows sonic variety. A Sputnikmusic assessment of Weapon in Mind (2013) acknowledged her stylistic experiments but faulted the album's midsection—including songs like "I Love You Too" and "You Make Me Feel Good"—as dull and unremarkable, suggesting it fell short of her earlier peaks despite competent vocal delivery.[32] Coverage of They Never Leave Their Wives (2020), her return after a hiatus, emphasized themes of toxic relationships and self-empowerment but framed it as a partial album release focused more on lyrical catharsis than broad musical evolution.[37] Norwegian outlets and international music press have generally viewed her vocal technique as versatile and direct, capable of conveying vulnerability without excess, though rarely elevating her to avant-garde status.[11] Overall reception reflects a niche appeal: strong in Norway for her relatable, piano-driven pop-folk style, but with limited breakthroughs in English-speaking markets where critics often compare her unfavorably to more genre-defining peers, citing a reliance on formulaic structures over boundary-pushing creativity. Aggregated user and critic scores on platforms like Rate Your Music average around 3.3/5 for key albums, underscoring consistent but not exceptional acclaim centered on lyrical strengths rather than production or innovation.[65]Commercial achievements and chart performance
Maria Mena's breakthrough single "You're the Only One," released in 2004, achieved moderate international success, peaking at number 86 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[66] In her native Norway, it reached number 8 on the VG-lista singles chart, marking an early commercial milestone.[19] Follow-up "Just Hold Me" from 2006 performed strongly in Europe, particularly in the Netherlands where it contributed to her album Apparently Unaffected ranking at number 48 on the Dutch year-end album chart, surpassing releases by artists including Pink, Nelly Furtado, and Beyoncé.[67] The track entered the UK charts at a lower position of 158 but underscored her growing European presence.[66] In Norway, Mena's singles consistently charted well on VG-lista, reflecting strong domestic appeal. "My Lullaby" (2002) peaked at number 5 with 9 weeks on the chart, while "Belly Up" (2008) hit number 4 over 11 weeks. Her discography includes 18 tracked singles with a cumulative 530 weeks on various global charts, including 8 weeks at number 1 across collaborations and features.[68] Albums have similarly succeeded locally, with 8 releases accumulating 381 chart weeks and one reaching number 1 for 18 weeks in 2013–2014.[68]| Single | Peak Position (Norway VG-lista) | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|
| My Lullaby (2002) | 5 | 9 |
| You're the Only One (2004) | 8 | 5 |
| Just Hold Me (2006) | 2 | 10 |
| Belly Up (2008) | 4 | 11 |
Public controversies and personal narrative scrutiny
Maria Mena has encountered few major public controversies in her career, with her public image largely shaped by introspective songwriting rather than scandals. One notable instance of scrutiny arose from her 2020 album They Never Leave Their Wives, which chronicles her involvement as the "other woman" in an affair with a married man following her 2017 divorce from Eivind Sæther. Mena has described the relationship as one built on deception, where her partner concealed his marital status, leading to emotional devastation that she processed through lyrics addressing betrayal, self-deception, and relational toxicity.[37][53] This candid revelation, while praised by some for its raw honesty, invited commentary on the ethics of publicizing intimate failings, particularly in a cultural context valuing privacy in personal matters.[59] Her personal narratives have faced occasional questioning regarding authenticity and exaggeration, given their basis in lived experiences like childhood parental divorce at age nine, struggles with body image, and relational volatility. In a 2013 interview, Mena disclosed fabricating a pregnancy and an imaginary daughter to a stranger to deflect judgment over her weight gain, admitting, "I didn't have the heart to say that I was just fat." This admission highlighted vulnerabilities she has woven into her music but also prompted reflection on the reliability of self-reported stories in her oeuvre, where themes of low self-esteem and emotional exposure dominate.[71] Critics and fans have generally lauded this transparency as therapeutic and relatable, yet it underscores scrutiny over whether such disclosures risk oversimplifying complex personal histories for artistic effect. Mena's approach to songwriting—drawing directly from therapy sessions, family dynamics, and mental health challenges—has minimized backlash by framing narratives as cathartic rather than accusatory, with her avoiding direct naming of individuals involved.[11] No verified instances exist of legal disputes or widespread public outcry stemming from her disclosures, distinguishing her from artists facing cancellation over similar themes; instead, the scrutiny remains niche, often confined to discussions of lyrical vulnerability versus potential emotional exhibitionism.[72]Discography
Studio albums
Maria Mena's debut international studio album, ''White Turns Blue'', was released on July 20, 2004, by Columbia Records, featuring pop and singer-songwriter elements with tracks like "Just Hold Me".[73] Her second studio album, ''Apparently Unaffected'', followed on November 14, 2005, also via Columbia, incorporating acoustic ballads and soft rock, produced with a focus on introspective lyrics.[74] The third album, ''Cause and Effect'', came out on September 15, 2008, under Sony Music/Columbia, blending pop, folk, and rock with production emphasizing emotional depth and 10 tracks totaling 38 minutes.[75] ''Viktoria'', her fourth studio release, arrived on September 23, 2011, via Sony Music/Columbia, produced by Martin Sjølie and spanning 36 minutes of pop-folk material.[76] ''Weapon in Mind'', the fifth album, was issued on September 23, 2013, by Sony Music, extending to 43 minutes with Europop and ballad styles across 11 tracks.[34] The sixth, ''Growing Pains'', debuted on December 4, 2015, under Columbia, delivering pop and contemporary R&B influences in a 40-minute set.[77] Her seventh studio album, ''They Never Leave Their Wives'', released October 23, 2020, by Columbia, consists of 10 tracks exploring relational themes in a pop framework, though occasionally classified as an EP due to its length.[78] The most recent, ''And Then Came You'', eighth studio album, launched September 15, 2023, via Sony, with 12 adult contemporary tracks produced independently.[79]| Album | Release date | Label | Duration (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ''White Turns Blue'' | July 20, 2004 | Columbia | 40 min |
| ''Apparently Unaffected'' | November 14, 2005 | Columbia | 37 min |
| ''Cause and Effect'' | September 15, 2008 | Sony Music/Columbia | 38 min |
| ''Viktoria'' | September 23, 2011 | Sony Music/Columbia | 36 min |
| ''Weapon in Mind'' | September 23, 2013 | Sony Music | 43 min |
| ''Growing Pains'' | December 4, 2015 | Columbia | 40 min |
| ''They Never Leave Their Wives'' | October 23, 2020 | Columbia | 35 min |
| ''And Then Came You'' | September 15, 2023 | Sony | 42 min |
Extended plays and compilations
Maria Mena's extended plays primarily consist of promotional or thematic releases supplementing her studio albums, often featuring acoustic versions, live recordings, or B-sides. Her first notable EP, You're the Only One, was issued in 2004 by Sony Music Entertainment Norway as a digital and physical package tied to her breakthrough single from the album Mellow. Containing three tracks—"You're the Only One" (radio edit), an instrumental version, and a B-side—it served as an entry point for international audiences, peaking alongside the single on Norwegian charts. In 2007, Mena released the Our Battles EP on September 4 through Sony BMG, coinciding with promotion for Apparently Unaffected. This four-track digital EP includes the radio edit of "Our Battles," "Monday Morning," "Patience," and a live version of the title track recorded at Pinpop in Holland. The release emphasized introspective pop-rock elements, with "Our Battles" charting in Norway and supporting the album's themes of relational conflict.[81][82] Mena's 2020 project They Never Leave Their Wives, released October 23 via Sony Music Entertainment Norway, comprises seven tracks totaling 23 minutes and is classified as an EP in some discographies despite its album-like scope. Self-produced with raw, confessional lyrics addressing infidelity and emotional turmoil, it includes singles "Not OK," "Lies (They Never Leave Their Wives)," and "You Live and You Learn." The EP garnered attention for its vulnerability, drawing from Mena's personal experiences, and was available initially as a digital MP3 download.[83][84]| Title | Release Date | Label | Tracks | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| You're the Only One | 2004 | Sony Music Norway | 3 | Single-focused EP with instrumental. |
| Our Battles | September 4, 2007 | Sony BMG | 4 | Includes live track; promotional tie-in. |
| They Never Leave Their Wives | October 23, 2020 | Sony Music Norway | 7 | Thematic EP on relationships; digital-first. |
Singles and promotional releases
Maria Mena's singles often served as lead promotions for her albums and achieved varying degrees of commercial success, particularly in Norway, where several topped or entered the VG-lista singles chart. Her early releases included "You're the Only One" in 2004, which marked a breakthrough and charted prominently.[66] "Just Hold Me", from the album Apparently Unaffected and first released on November 14, 2005, peaked at number 2 on the Norwegian charts and maintained a presence for 138 weeks.[86][3] Subsequent singles like "All This Time (Pick-Me-Up Song)", released January 13, 2008, from Cause and Effect, received radio airplay and had a promotional CD-R edition issued in 2009.[87][88] "It Took Me By Surprise", the lead single from Viktoria, followed on September 23, 2011.[89] Later efforts included "Home for Christmas", which reached number 1 on the VG-lista in December 2010.[90] In recent years, Mena has featured on collaborative singles with strong chart performance, such as "Halva Priset" with Halva Priset, which topped the Norwegian charts for multiple weeks in 2021 with 63 weeks total.[68] "Isah" featuring her alongside Hver Gang Vi Møtes peaked at number 2 in 2023.[68] Promotional releases have included digital and physical promo formats for tracks like "All This Time", aimed at industry and radio outlets prior to wider commercial availability.[88]| Selected Singles | Release Year | Album/Notes | Peak VG-lista (Norway) | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| You're the Only One | 2004 | Mellow | 1 | 86 |
| Just Hold Me | 2005 | Apparently Unaffected | 2 | 138 |
| All This Time (Pick-Me-Up Song) | 2008 | Cause and Effect | - | - |
| It Took Me By Surprise | 2011 | Viktoria | - | - |
| Home for Christmas | 2010 | Single | 1 | 7 |
| Halva Priset (feat. Maria Mena) | 2021 | Collaboration | 1 | 63 |
Awards and nominations
Maria Mena received a nomination for Best Nordic Act at the 2004 MTV Europe Music Awards.[91] She won the Spellemannprisen (Norwegian Grammy equivalent) for Årets kvinnelige artist (Artist of the Year – Female) in 2008, for her album Cause and Effect.[92]| Year | Award | Category | Result | Nominated work |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | MTV Europe Music Awards | Best Nordic Act | Nominated | Herself[91] |
| 2008 | Spellemannprisen | Årets kvinnelige artist | Won | Cause and Effect[92] |