Lana Del Rey is a beautiful singer with impossibly shiny hair, flawless skin and full lips. Del Rey became an instant hit with her single debut of “Video Games” on YouTube, posted in August 2011. Only fifteen months later, she is releasing a special Paradise Edition of her debut album, Born to Die. The special edition is available this Tuesday.
Del Rey’s “Video Games”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE6wxDqdOV0
Lana Del Rey is the stage name of Elizabeth Grant, a 26-year-old from New York. According to Del Rey, she is a “gangsta Nancy Sinatra.” She draws from many influences, such as Marilyn Monroe, the 1950s, biker culture, Bruce Springsteen, Frank Sinatra, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Elvis Presley, to name a few. Her music mixes bass, hip-hop vocals and orchestral sounds, described by Del Rey as “Hollywood sadcore”.
Her lyrics reflect a troubled woman who has experienced love and loss. She thinks about modern society, the past and what her life means. In her album’s opening song, “Born to Die,” she sings, “Sometimes love is not enough and the road gets tough / I don’t know why”. She admits that even the love she desires can’t fix everything, which I think resonates many people.
Del Rey’s “Born to Die”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bag1gUxuU0g&feature=endscreen&NR=1
Her first album, Born to Die was released this January. On Tuesday, Nov. 13, Lana is releasing the Paradise Edition to America, which has nine additional songs. Many were released early, such as “Blue Velvet”, a cover of the popular song from the 1950s. She performs this song in her commercial for H&M.
Del Rey’s “Blue Velevet”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLEA3bc-3p0
Her new songs are:
Ride
American
Cola
Body Electric
Blue Velvet
Gods and Monsters
Yayo
Bel Air
Burning Desire
These new songs fit in perfectly with the rest of Born to Die in their troubled, old Hollywood mood and subject. Del Rey is still in love, learning about the past, battling her inner demons.
“Bel Air” starts with a haunting lullaby piano tune, followed by low and slurred vocals. Del Rey sings of her lover coming to her in her dreams, saying, “darling, I’m waiting to greet you. Come to me, baby.”
Del Rey’s “Bel Air”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq3yT8CkPzY&feature=g-all-u
In “American,” Del Rey mentions her muses Elvis and Springsteen. She plays with some of her recurring themes and words, such as L.A., being crazy, driving fast and youth. These themes are present in her mini-movie “Ride,” which premiered in Santa Monica in October. This film delves into a dark place she has faced in the past. She seeks shelter in her dreams and with strangers.
Del Rey’s “American”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py_-3di1yx0
Del Rey sings about superficial and temporary things such as beauty, drugs and having fun. However, she is also honest in exposing her thoughts and desires for freedom, true love and death. She longs for companionship, but also escaping on the open road. “My motto is the same as ever. I believe in the kindness of strangers. And when I’m at war with myself, I ride. I just ride,” she explains in her mini-movie. “I am f***ing crazy, but I am free.”
One of my favorites from this special edition is “Cola,” in which Del Rey embraces and discusses her sex life. She states confessions matter-of-factly, saying that she prefers older men, and, “it’s always been, so it’s no surprise.” She doesn’t care too much what people think about her, and that she is who she is.
Since the release of “Video Games”, Del Rey has become the face of H&M, toured around the world, been on the cover of Vogue Australia, released professional music videos, posed nude for British GQ Magazine and performed on Saturday Night Live.
As a huge fan of Del Rey, I think highly of this album and rate it at four and a half out of five stars.
Her Paradise Edition is available on iTunes and Amazon. Upcoming tours and videos can be found on her website and YouTube channel.
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/born-to-die-paradise-edition/id566466310
Amazon: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/born-to-die-paradise-edition/id566466310
Youtube Channel:http://www.youtube.com/user/LanaDelRey
Website: http://www.lanadelrey.com/
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lana_Del_Rey
Photo Credits
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_madi2tyn0W1rc87ano3_1280.jpg