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Rating: In 2012, a lot has been said about Lana Del Rey. From the alleged lip jobs to the disastrous performance on Saturday Night Live. It's a fact that the girl might not be entirely naturally beautiful or that her appearance on the famous TV show was a flop. But it's also true that the singer has impressed on many other occasions. And we couldn't care less about her physical appearance.
After an unsuccessful debut under the name Lizzy Grant, the singer released her second album on January 30, 2012, titled "Born To Die".
The album begins with the title track, which already proves how much potential Del Rey has. Great song, equally intriguing video clip. The credit goes particularly to the melancholic and original voice of the singer.
"Video Games" is certainly the best song of the entire album. As the first single and a bearer of success for Del Rey, Video Games should be recognized not for the radio single pop has accustomed us to in recent years, but for the value of something bigger, much deeper.
In "Off to the Races" Lana picks up the pace, creating a great song at times with trip-hop rhythms. A failed attempt in "Diet Mountain Dew". Perhaps by the fifth song of the album, the words "love" and "forever" sound like something already heard. The album quickly recovers, "National Anthem" and "Dark Paradise" are excellent examples of what Lana Del Rey's music represents. The singles "Blue Jeans" and "Summertime Sadness" are not enchanting but do their fair share; like the sensual "Million Dollar Man," the autobiographical "Radio," and the anthem to women concluding the album "This Is What Makes Us Girls". The weak point remains "Carmen", a song that seems to be trying to emulate what worked well in "Video Games" but fails, resulting in boring and not much else.
"Born To Die" is an example of how to produce good pop without being banal. Now it's up to Del Rey, the choice is hers. To continue on a path that will be tough, mature and work for an album that echoes or even improves upon what was good in "Born To Die". The other path is simpler, living off residuals and producing songs with a low qualitative content.
I personally hope the New York singer doesn’t disappoint us.
Luigi "Superbia" Mercantile
Tracklist and Videos
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Other reviews
By Darius
Born To Die is a dignified and decorous blend of orchestral pop-rock ballads, far from today’s dancing fluff.
Million Dollar Man, in my opinion, the absolute artistic peak of the album.
By whereismymind
Lana Del Rey is the epitome of this evolution... a star constructed at the drawing table to be tremendously glam and decadent.
The passion only comes out in “Video Games,” the only truly poignant song and the highlight of the album.
By Luigi_96
The record is mature and committed, it oozes retro and Hollywood atmospheres, and is a solid pop effort to relaunch a singer who has been the subject of much gossip.
The album boasts a notable vocal performance, leaving room for deep whispers and sudden falsettos.
