After the sensational success of the hit single ‘Video Games’ many fans were eagerly anticipating the release of Lana Del Rey’s latest album Born to Die. The 25 year old American singer, real name Elizabeth Grant, describes herself as a “self- styled gangster Nancy Sinatra” and has captured our interest with her deep and sultry voice and dark and often disturbing lyrics.
Throughout the album she shows versatility and range with a unique combination of a retro voice and musical style infused with a modern vibe. Often the backing can be an unwelcome distraction from her voice, creating a lack of cohesion between the music and the vocals. Though each track adds new meaning and an extra dimension to the album ‘Born to Die’ and ‘Blue Jeans’ stand out as the most intriguing tracks, rendering the album memorable and captivating. It’s downfall would be that each song is so darkly brooding and mysteriously gothic that it becomes tedious and leaves the listener wishing for some uplifting or energetic songs. However, Rey seems determined to stick rigidly to the sound that made her famous and appears afraid to try something new.
Though her voice has a hypnotic quality that is strangely compelling it is also disconcerting at times, with a unique style that takes some getting used to. Critics have dealt the starlet some harsh blows and there has been a great deal of negativity following interviews that made her seem arrogant and overly sensitive.
Although Rey has admitted that this may be her first and last album, Born to Die has already been named the highest selling album of 2012 so far. Fans should try to ignore all the hype and speculation surrounding the songstress and simply appreciate the unique beauty and soul behind her voice.