You may have not heard of Lana Del Rey, and if you have, what you’ve heard may not be good. The singer has been publicly scrutinized and mocked for her recent performance on Saturday Night Live, during which she stiffly sang pitchy versions of three songs from her new album, titled “Born to Die.” However, one listen to the recorded album will make you change your mind about this up-and-coming artist.
The album revolves around the theme of relationships. While this topic choice may seem redundant, Lana Del Rey manages to create unique ballads that counteract the typical pop medleys of today. By intertwining violins and beats, Rey’s songs become a fusion of classical and modern themes.
Her top-selling song, which inspired the album’s name (“Born to Die”), is a prime example of the Lana Del Rey’s originality.
In this song, Rey discusses the fairytale aspect of love and contrasts expectations with harsh realities. “Come and take a walk on the wild side/Let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain/You like your girls insane.” She tends to mock relationships, and ignore the romanticized version of love that is so often marketed.
While some may see this as cynical, I see it as refreshing. She continues to weave this theme through the rest of her songs, including “Video Games,” a slower, more passionate song that shows Lana Del Rey’s wide vocal range. “I say you the bestest/Lean in for a big kiss/Put his favorite perfume on/Go play a video game.” While infatuation and love are often magnified and made unrealistic, Lana Del Rey is painfully honest in describing her own relationships, focusing on her ex whom she was neglected by. It’s clear that this artist is unlike all the other current pop sensations.
“Born to Die” is only Lana Del Rey’s first album, but she has proven to me that she has the strength to produce original, soulful music. Although she needs to improve her live-performing abilities, her talent is unmistakable. Contrary to other artists, Lana Del Rey provides refreshingly honest commentary on human interaction, and writes content that is true and unique. I look forward to seeing how this talent plays out in her career, and how her music will grow and develop.
