Review: Lana Del Rey "Born To Die"

It seems that everyone has an opinion about the viral sensation that few knew existed a month ago, Lana Del Rey. And while many of her critics slam her for the awkward and off-putting performance she delivered on Saturday Night Live a couple of weeks ago, the fact remains that she’s one of the most talked about artists that have emerged seemingly – and arguably – out of obscurity. But just days from the release of her debut album Born To Die, any press is good press.

As her single bounces into the Top 10 this week and the album predicted to do the same, music insiders are on the edge of their seat to see what this self-proclaimed “gangsta Nancy Sinatra” has up her sleeve next.

When I had my first listen to the highly-anticipated LP, it was everything I expected it to be: sultry, dark, artistic and, most of all, beautifully produced. Strings take the center stage on the album, as they gently strum through each of the 15-tracks, most of which were ironically produced by hip-hop producer Emile Haynie (Eminem, Lil Wayne). And even the tracks that appeared online as demos in the summer have been reproduced, leaving out their thumping beats, to fit the mellow and cinematic feel of the record.

Thematically the album provides much of what you’d expect from the pouty-mouthed songstress, as she teeters back-and-forth between passionate, and sometimes psychotic, lover, old-Hollywood glamor and seductive Lolita (literally, there’s a track with the title). The four tracks from the previously released EP are clearly some of the album’s highlights: the title track, “Born To Die”, the dark mid-tempo favorite “Off To the Races”, the breathy “Blue Jeans”, and the viral sensation that started it all “Video Games”. Other standouts include the dark ballad “Million Dollar Man”, a cliche-filled track that lyrically isn’t as impressive as the Fiona Apple styled vocal. “National Anthem”, which is best summed up by it’s hook (Money is the anthem/  God your so handsome/ Money is the anthem/ Of success), “Radio”, including the almost-phrophetic lyrics “they only love me ’cause I’m playing on the radio”, and the perfect Hollywood ending, “Lucky Ones”, also seemingly find their way on repeat. Ultimately thought, from start to finish, this record proves strong and masterfully crafted. 

While it remains to be seen what this controversial new starlet will do with her flourishing fame, I can only hope this is part one of a series of successful stories told by Lizzy Grant (aka Lana Del Rey).

Listen to “Radio” now below and pre-order Born To Die on iTunes now.