Lana Del Rey – Radio

According to my social barometer (or as Kramer might interject: “it’s pronounced thermometer”), Lana Del Rey is either loved or loathed. I’ll be the first to admit that she has some strange and at times, objectionable lyrics (think Eminem meets those cute singing birds that flutter around cartoon Disney princesses). However, despite the occasional lyric that makes you pull a “wait, what did she just say?”, Lana’s music is very unassuming. Somber melodies combine with what seems like an unexpressive lyrical cadence, giving her songs, at least on first listen, a two-dimensional, monotone feel. In fact, when I heard Lana for the first time, I thought perhaps Aubrey Plaza had started a music career.

However, after listening to the LDR library a few times over, I feel that my initial impression was unfair. Some music blows your mind on first listen, yet is relegated to mediocrity as its novelty fades. Lana takes the opposite trajectory: you won’t pull your car to the side of the road when you hear it for the first time, but each listen exposes nuance and complexity that keeps your attention while increasing your appreciation. To put it colloquially, Lana del Rey is a grower, not a shower. Give it a few listens before you write it off.

Once you start paying attention, it becomes clear that Lana has a broad range, innumerable dialects, and poetic lyrics that combine to make each song hauntingly beautiful and artistically impressive. Whether your preferred cocktail is cutesy uptempo with a garnish of daddy issues (“Off to the Races”) or an auditory Jack and Valium (everything else), Lana delivers. Cheers.

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