It isn't often that I've come across an album as devastatingly beautiful as Lana Del Rey's first hit release, Born to Die. Her combination of falsettos and her constant portrayal of wounded love throughout the ablum go together perfectly.
The album opens up with its self titled song, "Born to Die." It keeps a slow consistent beat throughout, she draws out all her lyrics very long in this one, but in good taste. At first it just seems like it is an unhappy love song about two people but listening harder i realized there is more to it. She is describing a relationship that is in complete unperfect perfectness, and she wants to remain in this sad happiness forever. It's not perfect but it is perfect for them unil they die.
Born to Die is followed by a much more fast paced song named "Off to the Races." This tune will get caught in your head easily. Her sweet childish voice in this one is paired well with the lyrics of this song, she is seeming to misbehave a lot in this song and be naive just as any girl with an older boyfriend. She refers to her lover a few times as an "old man" which is a little strange but she makes it work to where I don't question it.
The tone drops again as "Blue Jeans" starts playing. It is slow and moody, yet really picks up during the chorus. Blue Jeans is a very meaningful song that describes love at first sight in a bizzarre way, yet it makes perfect sense.The beat in this song is strong and her chorus lyrics are perfect and her voice is incredible. This is a great song for any girl to relate to who has been left by a boy they love. In this song she describes herself loving him more than any of his other girlfriends had, yet he is leaving her because he is seeming to have bigger problems. Her life has been revolving around him yet he cannot say the same. This is my personal favorite song out of the whole album.
The slow pace continues on with her next song of the album, "Video Games." This was Lana's first hit single to make her known. It starts with a magical sort of feel, and a slow tempo that continues throughout. Her voice seems numb the whole time, she is vunerable and in love on this track and she knows it. She has perfectly matched ther voice to fit with it and it is completely genuine. Although this was one of her big hit singles, i am not crazy over it. I think it drags at certain points.
The pace durastically picks back up as "Diet Mountain Dew" is next on her playlist. This track is very upbeat, light, and fun. You can't help but to relate to her lyrics - something so bad for you yet you want it, hence the title "Diet Mountain Dew." Clever. There is a very playful tone the whole time during this song and the chorus is sure to get stuck in your head after one listen. But I will criticize that it is a little repetitive...one listen may be all you can take. Compared to her other songs this one lacks depth and the lyrics and tone pairing are a little contradictory.
Next on Del Rey's album is another one of my favorites, "National Anthem." Lana's voice is extra sweet and bubbly in this one. Her chorus is excellent and catchy, and going to get stuck in your head for all the right reasons.
There is a quick change of direction when "Dark Paradise" comes next on her CD. Very moody and dark as she sings about a love she just cannot get over, and from the way she is describing it- he is dead. I love this song, although slow, it has meaningful lyrics.
The tone picks back up immediately after with her next song, "Radio." It is a super sweet love song that will leave a great taste in your mouth. A cute beat and she truly sounds happy and content with whoever she has "finally found." So easy to sing along to and her voice undescribable throughout. The album turns dark again as "Carmen" comes up next. There is a heavy feel to is as Lana coons about "Carmen,"piercieved by me possibly to be a prostitute. She is young and sad and moving too fast.
On her album next is another love song, where her lover is leaving her yet again. In "Million Dollar Man" there is a dark tone just as before with "Carmen." She is talking about some guy who she obviously thinks is great, yet leaving her and breaking her heart. She cannot believe he's doing this to her becuase she held him up so high and made him out to be so great, given the songs title.
Next on Born to Die's tracklist is "Summertime Sadness." The guy leaving her trend is continued in this song as well. This song really picks up in the chorus, and he clever lyrics shine yet again with her voice. I can't help but to love this song, her voice transitions between high and low so well and give a great effect.
To top off her original album is "This is What Makes Us Girls." A light tune that will hit home for all girls looking back on how stupid they were. She makes it genuine because it is clear that she is talking about her own past, while trying to give us advice on our present. She does a great job of describing what a teenage girls life is like with older boys, parties, and the consequences you'll have to face.
Born to Die's bonus tracks start of with "Without You." This song is beautiful and I believe every word she is singing, nothing matters without this guy she loves. It is slow and eerie and you get the feel of this song right from the start. She is a little whiney in "Without You" yet it works well with this message is trying to get across - she's nothing without him. She would trade all of her success for him because if she doesn't have him then none of it matters. It's a great song and her voice sounds angelic throughout. It should be higher up than a bonus track.
Next on the bonus list is "Lolita." There is no real substance to this song and gets old quick. I usually hit the next button a few seconds in to this number. It is too repetitive for my taste and doesn't fit with the depth of her other songs, it seems like an amueter.
She finishes her bonus tracks off with "Lucky Ones", a good choice if I say so myself. This song melts my heart. It is a beautiful love song where she has finally found the one, and he is not leaving her like all the rest. Her lyrics and words are so true and she makes you want to feel what she is feeling. She starts "Lucky Ones" with a beat you can just tell is going to pick up. Her voice is happy and relieved as she sings, "Finally you and me are the lucky ones this time." It's a great song and a great way to end Born to Die.
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