Album Review: Lana Del Rey - Born To Die

Posted by Anthony - 1st May 2012

One of the most hyped, and yet reviled, artists of late, Lana Del Rey has recently released her album Born To Die to much acclaim and high sales. It immediately topped the UK album charts and will most likely go back up there following her live appearance on The Voice last weekend.

Lana Del Rey is the stage name of Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, age 25, from New York. In 2010 she released an album called Lorna Del Rey A.K.A. Lizzie Grant which was briefly available on iTunes before being withdrawn from sale.

Then in 2011, having abandoned the name Lizzie Grant, the song Video Games was released by Lana Del Rey. The accompanying video soon became an internet sensation. There is no doubt that Video Games is a superb track, a moody and haunting piece of slow electronica. It was followed by singles Born To Die and then Blue Jeans. Both are in the same mould as Video Games and their videos were obviously expensive, showing high production values with some memorable and arresting images.

For some unfathomable reason this all caused a severe backlash with much bile being hurled at Lana. I think we can skip over the alleged reasons for this and put it down to the shallow lives of the internet scribblers. It is the music that is important and if it is good then it is good – what else matters?

The album Born To Die has 12 tracks and all were co-written by Lana. The production is immaculate and the sound is very up-to-date synth and low down bass with haunting vocals. It is kept relatively simple which does benefit the overall effect. The 3 singles are all on the album and are the best songs. Of the rest, Diet Mountain Dew and National Anthem are of a similar standard.

The album has already sold well and has received rave reviews from most buyers. For me it does not rate quite so highly because the songs are all taken at the same pace, quite slowly, and the sound hardly varies throughout. A bit of variety would have given the album more interest. In addition I would like to hear Lana extend her vocal range as she does have a tendency to sound a bit dull at times.

Lana Del Rey appears to be a hesitant live performer. She seems uncomfortable with it and does not look as though she enjoys it. Maybe she will develop primarily into an album artist, in which case it will be intriguing to hear her next one.