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Mojib posted an update in the group Lana Del Rey 10 years, 4 months ago
Now that a couple of weeks (months really) have gone by – What’s your opinion on Ultraviolence? For me, it doesn’t get as many plays as Born To Die, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s just that its more of a concept record, which is best suited under special circumstances.
I have to say, I really loved Ultraviolence. I liked it more than her debut because to me, the most recent album of hers is more spiritual music (like, more “Blue Jeans” than “Diet Mountain Dew”). My favorite song off the album is “Old Money”, it is just so sad and heartbreaking. I have to say it IS more of a concept album. She doesn’t really get off the ultraviolent path (except for “West Coast”, “Brooklyn Baby” and to some extent, “The Other Woman”). I was also disappointed by this album, though. Most songs were very slow. My favorite Lana jam is a slow jam, but she should’ve mixed it up. Unfortunately, some songs (“Cruel World”, “Sad Girl”) could’ve been amazing if they weren’t drawn out (for me, things like songs that should’ve ended three choruses ago are a killer. A song can be terrible if it isn’t ended at the right time. I learned that lesson with Justin Timberlake’s latest) or had parts of the song that didn’t seem to fit. The biggest let down was “Pretty When You Cry”. Luckily, Del Rey made up for it with “Money Power Glory” . Jeez, I wonder how long this comment is? Oh well. The point is, I loved it, but there were many parts she could’ve improved, but didn’t.
I’m hoping to see the real Lana Del Rey in her third (uhm, fourth) album. It’s difficult to tell what is a persona, and what is actually her. Her glorifying the 40s-50s, men dominating and exploiting her (as a good thing) etc. She makes the dark and forbidden subjects, almost beautiful and there’s something very interesting about that. But for me, I kind of don’t feel for her in a song like Old Money, I only see yet another incarnation of her persona.
In interviews she says she’s struggling with fame, and that is somewhat touched upon in her lyrics. But other than that, I have no idea who she really is by just listening to her records.
If Ultraviolence was intended as a concept album (which I’m not sure it actually was) and Born To Die was a stepping stone for her to really do what she wanted, I hope we see the real her on the next album.
Well said, Mojib! She is a mysterious and wild musician. I have no idea what she has in store for her next album (or EP). Lana is also a very talented lyricist, so I hope that she will get more dark and mysterious in the way she always does. I guess I’d like her to do something… unexpected. She stands out in a crowd, but I want her to do something shocking on her next album. Take an artistic risk, I guess.
Btw, I bought a vinyl copy of Ultraviolence yesterday. Clearly your group has had an influence on me :)
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I gave it a listen and I enjoyed it, though I have yet to listen to it with more attention.
I just hope she stays around. She seems kind of lost and depressed to me, based on a few interview that I’ve read, and I hope that things get better for her
I love it, but it’s nowhere near as good as Born To Die, in my opinion. I think my biggest problem with it is Dan Auerbach’s production. My favorite song was “Old Money,” produced by Dan Heath, who did much of the work on Born To Die. I think it starts out pretty strong but starts to drag a little around the middle, but pulls out the best material at the very end, and the bonus tracks were also very impressive.
I think this album will only make people who previously had a problem with Lana hate her even more, though, as it is exemplary of everything that makes her a unique artist.