Lana Del Rey: Will She Stay?
Comments: 6 - Date: February 3rd, 2012 - Categories: Music Reviews, Uncategorized Tagged: cd reviews, Lana Del Ray
This Spring, it’s been evidenced in many top designer’s runway shows that bigger definitely is better. 1950’s vintage-inspired bouffant hairdos, pouty lips and mega lashes a la Brigitte Bardot are forecasted to be the go-to trend for beauty, while apparel will play up the pin-up sexiness of the glamorous old Hollywood that is iconic to American style. In perfect sync with Spring’s hottest trend comes the songstress of the moment, Lana Del Rey. The 25-year old, self-proclaimed “gangster Nancy Sinatra” is firing up the music scene with her sultry looks and equally sultry voice. While she’s already a YouTube hit, (her single “Video Games” has already garnered more than 2 million views) the real test of talent came with the January release of her first studio album, “Born to Die”.
Del Rey’s title track starts the CD off with theatrical strings and drums as she croons about a “love” based on getting high and having fun. The type of relationship that Del Rey sings about in “Born to Die” also mimics the lyrics in “Video Games” (“He holds me in his big arms/Drunk and I am seeing stars…”). While her songs paint a carefree picture of young relationships, the music accompaniment across the whole album has an eerie feel. Even her vocals are jaded and distant as she proclaims “They say that the world is built for two/ Only way worth living if somebody is loving you”
There’s no doubt that Del Rey’s premiere album is a one-noted song, but I don’t hold that against her. She’s a caricature of the glamorous starlets who graced the silver screens in during the heyday of Hollywood. While she, of course, didn’t live and breathe the seedy streets of 1950’s LA, Del Rey is convincing. As far as staying power in the game, it’s hard to tell. She fits right into the style of “now”, but she may need a reinvention by next season in order to keep her relevancy with the public. If music doesn’t work out for her, though, I won’t be too bummed; her gorgeous face and hair is enough to keep her at the top of my inspiration board.
— Avery Cheatham Banks
6 Responses
Your description of a Hollywood starlet was perfect. Your picture of Lana Del Ray also fits that description perfectly. I liked your use of specific song lyrics to make your point about her theme of the album. Like you said, I hope she can keep her career going by changing things up next album. Only time will tell if that will indeed happen.
I think this chick is cool–she somewhat reminds me of Amy Winehouse but I can’t put my finger on why? I listend to a couple of her tracks and she seems quite unusual. Like you say, her lyrics don’t match the themes of her music videos or at times but she definitely has a unique vibe. I do agree however, she is going to have to reinvent herself unless this 1950’s fad sticks around for a while but nevertheless, she’s cool and stunning.
I love your writing style and how “in the know” you are about what is on the forefront of celebrity media.
Avery, you use such great word choices in this article. I do think Lana Del Rey is a rather processed singer but your description of her is so spot on. Great post!-V
I’ve just recently heard about Lana Del Rey, but I really like her and I think she’s so amazingly cute!! I love her style and her voice is beautiful. It’s nothing like Adele, I’ll say that, but there’s something special and quirky about her that I really like. Her video ‘Born to Die’ was just beautiful! The way it was filmed was superb and I think with the whole SNL ordeal, she was most likely just nervous and didn’t perform her best. No biggie. She’s definitely here to stay! 🙂
Great writing skills and I really like your topic choice. So true, your old-Hollywood style description is exactly how I would describe it. Great job! 🙂
I loved this blog post. I was bummed when I didn’t get to write about her, but as you said “I’m late for life.” I think it’s silly that there is this giant debate over whether people should like her or not, based on the fact that she used to be another artist. But at the same time, I must admit that my opinion of her changed slightly when I discovered that. Or it could have been her God awful SNL performance. Yikes. Great job, Avery!
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