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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Lana Del Rey – the poetic side of the prom queen complex

Lana Del Rey is the latest internet musical sensation - everybody on my Facebook wall (and their mother) share her videos. She’s any music producer wet dream: an amazingly polished “IT girl” style wise and a very distinct voice – the fatal combination of looks and talent.
Her debut album hasn’t been yet released (it’s programmed for the end of January 2012) but the buzz is already overwhelming. Here are some interesting facts about this pouty lips beauty that got people talking:
  • Lana Del Rey is her stage name (a poetic combination of the first name of old Hollywood actress Lana Turner and a Ford model from 1981), she's 25 years old, her actual name is Elisabeth Grant and she’s the daughter of millionaire Robert Grant
  •  She first launched her career in 2010 under a different name (Lizzie Grant) and with different lips and style which brought a lot of accusations about her being totally manufactured.
There's something fascinating about Lana Del Rey – she’s such a beauty, perfect on the outside, obsessed with the Hollywood aesthetic, yet somehow broken, fragile and decadent personality wise, an introvert who’s constantly trying to make sense of the world.

What really gets me it’s the contrast between her nostalgic retro look and the dark mood and feel of her songs. So emotionally charged and sad!
The girl is a huge drama queen, if I’d ever seen one! I love that about her!


Her deep, husky voice, sometimes described as a “gangsta” Nancy Sinatra makes her distinct. The Daily Transmission called her sound “Cinematic dark pop wrapped in smoky, sultry and glamorous overtones” which I think is a brilliant way to put it.


What makes Lana Del Rey even more memorable is her retro style inspired by the 50’s and the 60’s with a modern “California girl” vibe that’s very in right now. I also see a lot of Lauren Bacall and Brigitte Bardot influences in the way she looks and what she wears.

While her lyrics may be sometimes cliché, her songs are quite addictive – her voice is mesmerizing, very soulful and cold at the same time.

 
And then came the videos!!! So far they were perfect, refreshing and sad (far from the usual hoe fest that the music videos have become nowadays).

First we have Video Games – a strange combination of David Lynch influences and old home made video montages that stirs a bit of emotion out of anybody.

Then we have Born to Die that’s a beautifully edited, tragic story that goes perfectly with the hallucinatory song. It also happens to be laced with symbolism, but who cares about that, right?!
It’s all about the esthetically breathtaking factor with Lana Del Rey! So much so that many hurried to discuss the old “style over substance’ subject which I think to be total rubbish in this particular case.



 I’ve also found this really cool interview she gave to Rolling Stone (via here):

On her songwriting: “My writing process…it’s been the same for a very long time. I never feel rushed. I never feel pressure. I really have a strong idea about what I like to hear and myself write and sing. A deadline never compromises things for me. If I didn’t have the right material, I would never release it.”
On her sound and visual references: “I keep it really clear. I talk a lot about Thomas Newman’s score for American Beauty. That was a soundtrack I really was inspired by. Giorgio Mirto, I talk about the orchestral work he’s done. Think Thomas Newman score for American Beauty meets early Bruce Springsteen ’sex Americana.’ And put them together, but place it in Miami and have me singing it. That’s what I tell them.”
On early musical influences: “When I was 11, I saw Kurt Cobain singing ‘Heart Shaped Box’ on MTV and it really stopped me dead in my tracks. And I thought he was the most beautiful person I had even seen. Even at a young age, I really related to his sadness. I felt like I was really searching for answers. And I thought I could see that in him, briefly, in 3 minutes and 42 seconds, or whatever. So I saw him for the first time on TV when I was 11, and I never revisited his music again until I was about 17 or 18; and then when I did, it still meant just as much to me then and it’s continued to be my primary inspiration—in terms of not wanting to compromise lyrically or sonically. Not making music that I..thought was really stupid. Just singing over pop tunes just to be famous.”

 What do you think?


62 comentarii :

Content Director - Strong Female Leaders said...

She is beautiful and sensational. THese are good pictures.
http://www.thegirlieblog.com

Candypop said...

I love Lana Del Rey, I discovered her early last year and i fell in love with her style, her voice and her music. These pics you found of her are great i love the converse and denim shorts combo shes rocking~

www.candypop-lamour.blogspot.com

Döid said...

Didn't know her, but I absolutely HAVE to look for her on YouTube. Thanks for posting. Love the pics! Hugs Charlene

Sandra said...

Wow, s got that something, interesting to panic :)! Thanx. 10X!

Saritschka said...

I really like the way you write - great!!

Xx, Saritschka.

http://saritschka.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I don't really care if she's had her lips done or if she changed her stage name... her music is too good to be limited to such things. So, love her.

Alina said...

Love her!She s absolutely gorgeous!

Fictitious Fashion said...

She surely got style!!!! I love her looks.. Inspirational :)
Maybe u have time to read my new post

Have a nice day :)
Love
Akanksha

The Messy Glam said...

love her and her music. she's just awesome <3

Anca Grigoraș said...

at first I was in love with her voice and songs and after that with her style. she's just awesome <3

Beauty Follower said...

Nice photos.
Love the clips aesthetics.

Megha Sarin said...

WOW! She looks amazing <3

Love
http://www.meghasarin.blogspot.com

LINDA said...

Thanks for your comment darling! Great blog! I follow you !
xoxo

Linda from www.moonon.com

Jess said...

absolutely lovely, thorough, well written article about a music artist, I too, am currently obsessed with! I just introduced her music to my boyfriend tonight who said she has a good voice for christmas songs LOL. and yes i will follow back, thanks for your super sweet comment on...

hapatime.blogspot.com :)

Jessica said...

Wow thanks for sharing this! Never heard of her, but I just listened to her video and she's amazing. ;)

xx Jessica

Sanzibell said...

amazing pictures ♥

The Princess Little Box said...

She is really different, I like her a lot =)

***
www.theprincesslittlebox.blogspot.com

Jersey Blogess said...

she is beautiful and very talented.

Alessandra Carlomagno said...

LOVE THIS PICTURES!
kiss kiss

http://thepinkillusion.blogspot.com/

stilistele said...

she's gorgeous and talented and she has a really unique style; love her!

HeidiDee said...

I had never heard of her before, but love her now! And I love the pictures you posted of her as well!

http://confessionsofabeauty-holic.blogspot.com/

Special Koko said...

Her voice so soothing...and I don't find the lyrics to be cliche, she uses modern things and makes them seem old and timeless. I really like her..she's different!

Anonymous said...

wow she is beautiful, great photos

Ana said...

i didn't know her but she's amazing, not the usual pop star

Karina Donayre said...

She's so beautiful!!! Love her!!!

Kisses

Lydia said...

ah I love her! such an amazing voice and gorgeous face. lovely post.

http://fashioninflux.blogspot.com/

x

AndreiaSalim said...

I loved it, very beautiful!

Unknown said...

She is absolutely gorgeous and her voice is amazing!!!

Thanks for visiting my blog & following! Love your blog and definitely following you back!
xx


The Urban Umbrella
xoxo


http://urbanumbrella.blogspot.com/

La Chunga Tattoo said...

that gorgeous girl:) and that voice!!

Moon Child said...

love the background on Lana influenced by Kurt Cobain...cool post! X
http://lr-moonchild.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Wow that's an amazing post, she is so beautiful and inspiring, I especially love the last picture of her <3

Thanks for following along, I like your blog as well :) Will be following via BlogLovin!

Have a lovely day!

caise said...

gorgeous pictures
I love her make up

caise said...

just wanna let you know there is an award for you on my blog :-)

http://wade-ashore.blogspot.com/2012/01/blogger-awards.html

Unknown said...

great style!!!

Miss Psycho Cat said...

I just love her and her voice, perfect!

Unknown said...

she is totally the new IT girl on the block...gorgeous face!

Thanks for the comment and the follow. great blog and i love your style too so though your blog was defo worth a follow back. Love it

thepastimebliss.blogspot.com

noone said...

ohh I'm totally going to go check her out now, I love checking out new music and she is quite pretty!!

Sarah Lewis said...

Thanks for your sweet comment ! I followed you again but I think I'm not on the first pages, but later, hope you can find me ;)

XOXO S.

There is nothing in this world that is new.. said...

great blog! i love her voice :)

Susan said...

She is very pretty! :)

Fashionthroughtravel said...

Wow, she's really beautiful! Strangely enough nobody on my Facebook wall posted anything about her, but she's definitely interesting :)

Anonymous said...

This is a great post, she is stunning. Great blog :)

Anonymous said...

Great photos, and blog I follow you. Greetings from Poland : )

Chyrel Gomez said...

She's very pretty and talented!

Ale Suaza said...

She's amazing!
Really like this post! :)
Ale

Denise said...

She is so gorgeous!
I love her 60s vibe!
Her voice is amazing,
filled w/ soul
Loving her songs Blue Jeans and Video Games :)

darling d said...

She is so gorgeous!

Lisa Lockhart said...

I have no idea who she is but she is so cute and stylish! I keep seeing her everywhere this month!

[fashionablyfly.blogspot.com]

Sweetnothing said...

She is absolutely fabolous and magic as well as her music!

Imo said...

I saw a performance she did for jukes holland, it was captivating. Shes an interesting character, great post to get to know her better.

Jessica and Josette said...

hello! thanks for your lovely comment. your blog is awesome too :-) following xx

Anonymous said...

This girl is super cool!!!

im a little bit gutted everyone is jumping on her bandwagon now i loved it when no one knew who she was.



www.dannykelly.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I'm in love with Lana!

Maria

mari said...

oh i absolutely adore her because on top of her brilliant voice, she's such an amazing inspiration!

if you’re interested – i’m hosting a pretty rad giveaway.
xx // themerrimari.blogspot.com

The Fashist said...

Born To Die is such a powerful piece. The music video is almost haunting in its tragic beauty and semi-suicidal undertones. My mind is always humming with reflections after listening to her music. Yes it's dark and boldly displays the thoughts we all try to quell on a daily basis, but her voice is mesmerizing.

So rarely do you come across music reviews on a blog! Wonderful post.

-TheFashist
http://thefash-ist.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

I think that... they tried to create the Julia Roberts in music industry (look at her face, it's obvious) but the girl can't even sing live or at least she couldn't in SNL recently... No ofense to her fans, just my opinion.

Isabel x

Susi Kaiser said...

I think she's great! (:

La Mode Operandi said...

I guess im late in the game, I've literally just heard about her today, through a different blog, i guess that's just how famous she is, people are talking about her and rightfully so! She is beautiful and catchy..deadly combo for pop music.

Beatrice Gutu said...

Beautiful set!
http://thefashioncuisine.blogspot.com

St. Brett said...

I made a video in honor of her.
@ You Tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkYg8BHUKJo

June said...

Amazing post! I love her too! She's gorgeous, her voice is haunting and her lyrics are really dark and melancholy but nice and the videos are so captivating
xx
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backpackingamerica said...

I really like the way you write - great!!

producer chris young

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