Lana Del Rey: Paradise Review
Many say you either love or hate this retro-pop femme fatale; there’s no in-between. Lana Del Rey is back with her newly released EP, titled Paradise.
Paradise is a standalone EP comprised of eight tracks, but is also available as part of the album Born to Die: The Paradise Edition. In the Paradise Edition, the EP is attached to the 15 songs on the deluxe version of the original Born to Die album, released in 2011.
Del Rey garnered popularity when “Video Games” went viral in 2011, becoming a worldwide hit. Her music revives the 50’s and 60’s, bringing the eras back to the forefront of pop culture.
Fans of Del Rey’s breathy vocals and atmospheric sound will not be disappointed with Paradise. Throughout the album she showcases her sensual and often profane lyrics with her drawling voice, and affirms her all-American image.
The first track, “Ride”, gives a powerful first impression to those who are new to Del Rey’s style, and a refreshing reminder to returning listeners. It was confirmed as the title track back in Sept. 2012.
“American” shifts toward a dreamier sound with simple strings and piano, allowing her vocals to shine through. The song features the kind of melody that gets stuck in your head and lyrics reminiscent of a 60’s love story.
With a similar atmospheric sound, Del Rey covers “Blue Velvet”, originally performed by the 1950s band The Clovers. The cover evokes nostalgic memories of a slow dance at a prom in an old movie.
The third track, “Cola”, stirred up controversy with the teaser release in Sept. due to its profane lyrics.
Other selections from Paradise like “Body Electric” and “Yayo” are slower, almost ballads, with haunting melodies and echoing lyrics. But as “Yayo” drags on for its full five minutes, it’s hard not to skip to the next song.
The new songs of the EP reflect Del Rey’s works in Born to Die, but none of the songs appear to have their own sound. Take “Blue Jeans”, for example, with its own catchy beat, or “Video Games”, with a harp in the background. The new songs on Paradise lack these special points, and none of them quite compare.
Overall, the eight songs are great new material to satisfy fans and to attract new ones. However, by the time the fourth track rolls around, it starts to sound like Del Rey ran out of ideas.
Del Rey’s chill, cinematic sound that oozes through each track makes the Paradise EP perfect for kicking back on a weekend or over break.
