Born To Die

After whetting our musical appetites with 'Video Games,' Lana Del Rey's debut album (as Lana Del Rey anyway), Born to Die has been the interest of many in the past few weeks. When it arrived at the Remix offices we couldn’t wait to have a listen, and listen we did, about five times.

Born to Die opens with the haunting eponymous track and the album continues in the same vein, musing on relationships and paying homage to the beautiful pain of heartbreak. Video Games and Blue Jeans have already been praised worldwide, but the rest of her album is exceptionally consistent, every track is enjoyable, taking you along in a Del Rey induced daze.

We have heard the scandal, we were suprised to find this supposed pouty-lipped indie goddess exposed to have a major record deal, money (Daddy’s) in the bank and had been assigned a new name by her management. But you can’t deny that made-over as Lana Del Rey, she is a bewitching, 60s inspired American girl, with a femme fatale vibe and furthermore, her music speaks volume.

Her album is captivating and although some of the tracks are catchy, the most bewitching part of the album is Del Rey’s voice; it’s hushed, assured and intriguing, a far cry from that unflattering performance on Saturday Night Live. Lana Del Rey may not be the product of authentic underground cool we envisaged but when it comes down to it who cares? She’s a pop star after all.