"Self-styled gangsta Nancy Sinatra" Lana Del Rey.

  Lizzie Grant a.k.a. Lana Del Rey. Her three track EP, released in October of 2008 titled Kill Kill seemed to near tracelessly submerge into the charts, failing to break the somewhat lucrative internet-music industry. Two years later, she released her album Lana Del Rey a.k.a. Lizzy Grant, and this was made available to purchase on iTunes. Despite this, after a short period of time, the album was withdrawn and rights bought back from the record label, 5 Points.
 The TV-series Ringer, featured her debut single Video Games in an episode in September 2011, creating a huge demand for her and her music.  Late 2011 saw the release of  Video Games and Lana was awarded with the Q award for "Next Big Thing" in October 2011. 


  Born To Die, her second single, was released in December 2011. The music video is a reckless portrayal of social issues associated with the 'youth' so to say, of today's society. Drugs and sex contribute to a rather substantial portion of the song and accompanying music video, with explicit images of cannabis use and sexual positions and actions. The idea of 'walking on the wild side' and criminality is very much an underpinning ideology of this video, with madness, rebellion and death as other themes- after all, the song is entitled Born To Die...! 

  The tattoo-clad male in this video, the 'wild' badboy, seems to represent the idea of criminality and recklessness. At various points throughout, he is seen to be actioning threatening gestures, suggesting homocide- a theme which seems to feel at home within this video and the lyrics of the song. 
  There is a contrast between the somewhat exquisite elegance of the part which Lana plays in the majority of this video, with the alter-ego she plays; the girl who was 'born to die' with her male counterpart. Perhaps this is a suggestion as to the transformation she has made in the reinvention of herself as a music artist? 

  Whatever the motives were behind the lyrics to this song, and the consequent somewhat mildly shocking music video, it cannot be denied that Lana has a voice which we want to hear more of. Her image as a "self-styled gangsta Nancy Sinatra", (The Guardian, 2011) is one which catches the eye, reminiscent of 60's pin-up girls; sporting classy curls, bold smokey eyes and a matte red lip. 







What do you think to Lana? Let me know coz I think she's awesome!!!
Make sure to check out all the other songs off the new album Born To Die at www.lanadelrey.com.


Bea xo