Lana Del Ray is an emerging singer that has gone through her fair share of harsh criticism early in her career. Her U.S. TV debut was on Saturday Night Live last month and she was seen as stiff and unwelcoming. However, do not write this Internet sensation off too quickly.
Her second studio record and premiere major label album, “Born to Die”, is a collection of folk ballads with an ultimately dark tone that reflects on lost love. Even if you do not like her style of singing, it is easy to admit that her lyrics are unusual and interesting. If there is one thing, it’s authentic.
Del Ray gives off a strong, bad girl vibe in her songs by taking a trip down memory lane in the slow and nostalgic manner. While “Born to Die” has an overall depressing melody, it is filled with lines from other hit songs, such as “feet don’t fail me now”, and “lost but now I am found”.
“Born to Die” may not be Album of the Year material, but the entire album is different – and that is what people either hate or love. Her sound is one we have not heard in awhile, if ever. She pushes the limits of pop music by singing about the gloomy elements of the American Dream in “Without You”, and even rapping in the chorus of “Off to the Races”.
Check out Lana Del Ray’s album “Born to Die” now available in stores and on iTunes.
Born to Die –Del Ray starts the album off with this slow ballad that holds a mood that is depressing while still expressing messages of hope.
Off to the Races – This tune is a fast-paced melody inspired by, once again, lost love.
Blue Jeans – It is a peek into a relationship that is falling apart, but she still longs for it to stay together.
Video Games – It’s a slow, love song with a bittersweet melody that is inspired by Del Ray’s recent end of a long-term relationship.
Diet Mountain Dew –She shakes it up with an up-tempo beat and poses a tough question: “Do you think we’ll be in love forever?”
National Anthem –With back up singers and allusions to money being the key to success, Del Ray seems to be yearning for an American dream that really isn’t as good as it seems.
Dark Paradise – It’s a slow, folk ballad that reflects on a lost love, whether it is a love that just got away, or a loved one who has passed away.
Radio – “Radio” is about her singing career and basically shows a past lover that she made it.
Carmen – This is a very dark, moving song about another girl who everyone wants to be. But, ultimately, Carmen is not the girl that everyone thinks she is.
Million Dollar Man- It is a slow ballad that could have a figurative and literal meaning, but in both cases it brings back the theme of a love being too good to be true.
Summertime Sadness –Del Ray illustrates the nostalgic parts of summer and how it feels when the time ends.
This is what makes us Girls – Del Ray tells her wild stories of growing up in a boarding school, but juxtaposes her crazy past with a bottom line – girls put love first.
Without You – In this slow, saddening ballad, she alludes to the thought that we are all told the American Dream is amazing, but then we have to live up to crazy expectations of being perfect.
Lolita – “Lolita” is very similar to “National Anthem”, as it could almost serve as a continuation. It is fast-paced and has a fun attitude.
Lucky Ones – The final song is the light shining at the end of the tunnel. It is a happy, slow love song, in which she claims that her love is almost too good to be true, which it might be.
