Two Tube music reviewer Conor Behan decides there’s more to Lana Del Rey than a name and image.
Lana Del Rey has been the name on everybody’s lips recently and the hype has reached insane levels in the last week as her debut album ‘Born To Die’ makes it’s way onto the shelves.
When she came to the attention of the internet and music fans with ‘Video Games’ last year many were taken with the track’s pared back gloomy pop. A simple, home made video and a spooky haunting vocal made the song a slow burning sensation.
As more people found out about Lana more started to dig into her past, when she used her own name Lizzy Grant while singing and had a different look far removed from the coquettish femme fatale style we’re used to see her doing.
There were accusations that Del Rey was a fake but with her debut album she proves that despite shaky live performances and questions about her background she’s created a sweeping, majestic musical terrain of melodramatic pop music.
If you’re still not sure here are a couple of the highlights from the album to give you an idea of what to expect.
‘This Is What Makes Us Girls’ – the closing track on the standard version of the album is a cinematic tale of girls falling on the wrong side of the tracks. Some striking imagery and a rousing chorus give this one a haunting, gripping feel.
‘Diet Mtn Dew’ – A cheeky number that’s more upbeat than most of the album, it plays out the girl meets bad boy tale running through most of her material with some breathy vocals and wry obsverations.
‘National Anthem’ – one of the standouts, a widescreen pop tune with a big big chorus it takes imagery of a lavish ultra-American life and injects them with just a hint of melancholy.
‘Lucky Ones’ – The deluxe version of the album adds a number of songs that thankfully, justify the price tag. This closing track is beautiful. Roping in famed producer Rick Nowels, this is a hidden gem with a sweet, tender refrain that will lodge in your head. A lovely closing piece for the deluxe album.
If you’ve got the album, sound off below on your favourites!
