Saturday 3 December 2011

Lana Del Rey - Born To Die


First there was Video Games.

Then there was the B-side, Video Games Mark-II a.k.a Blue Jeans.

Now there's the follow up single, Video Games Mark-III a.k.a Born To Die.

Ok, maybe that's a little harsh.  Sure, Del Rey has a slightly repetitive formula, but her distinctive, languid vocals and dark, sombre brand of nostalgia-pop have taken the music industry by storm.  And rightly so - her haunting glamour deserves to reign supreme.

Born To Die, as the title suggests, is typically fatalistic and morbidly dramatic.  The lyrics, depicting (as ever) a doomed romance, are powerful but ultimately uplifting - in the face of death we must make the most of the time we have.  "Choose your last words, this is the last time / Cause you and I, we were born to die", she sings in her whiskey-soaked tones.  The production is similar to Video Games, but with a more rhythmic emphasis akin to Blue Jeans, the processed drums pulsing throughout.  It may not be as instantly catchy as her debut, but it's no less epic or emotional.  It remains to be seen whether she can maintain this momentum for a full album, but no doubt I'll be at the front of the queue on release day.

Video Games has become the benchmark for each of Del Rey's subsequent tracks, but Born To Die is arguably her best track yet.  It's released in late January, along with her debut album of the same name.

5/5