The introspection continues on the American singer’s ninth opus, but not only because she’s still singing the tragedy of the American dream.
Posted at 6:00 p.m
Let’s face it right away, Lana Del Rey is our favorite singer. Another secret: We mainly listen to American underground rap. The sounds aren’t very similar – although Lana has worked with A$AP Rocky and Playboi Carti before – but there are similarities in subject matter – in addition to the trap rhythms that occasionally return on her albums, including this one. In their own way, both Lana and the rappers portray aspects of their life in the United States in a rather gritty way that’s also a reflection of their country. We are undoubtedly the product of our environment.
At A&W (American Whore) – a masterpiece – the second excerpt from Did You Know There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, we can think that Lana is referring to both her relationship with the media and the vision the Rest of the world has the United States when she sings: I’m a princess, I’m divisive / Wonder why, why, why, I’m like this / Maybe I’m just kinda like that / I don’t know, maybe I’m like that simply that way.
For us, Lana Del Rey represents a tragic, increasingly melancholic version of the American Dream. At first glance, it’s perfect and achievable, but if you dig deeper, it torments and escapes. The prolific Elizabeth Grant’s character has evolved over the years. His naivety, his great joys and his heavy sorrows of the first albums have quietly given way to introspection and a certain wisdom.
The title track refers to the Jergins Tunnel, which before its closure in 1967 allowed pedestrians to pass under the boulevard to the beach. She mentions the beautiful mosaics and painted tiles. Beauty has been obscured by “man-made walls.” The author then wonders when it will be her turn, if her beauty will be forgotten too. So she later sings: Fuck me to death, love me until I love myself. Self-esteem, or rather its lack, is a recurring theme in the work of the artist, who has been recording since 2005.
For a couple of albums, and even more so for this last one, Lana seems to have taken refuge with her relatives to find that love. The Grants, the first of 16 songs, bears his family’s name and evokes their precious memories. The beautiful, rambling poetry of Fingertips tells of experiences with loved ones.
The piano and strings, generally soft and steamy, provide the framework heard since Norman Fucking Rockwell. No wonder, considering that Jack Antonoff and Drew Erickson are once again signing most of the compositions. The same Antonoff sings with his band Bleachers on Margaret, a love letter to his fiancée, actress Margaret Qualley. Father John Misty is the other notable guest on Let The Light In, a nice song even when it comes to adultery.
Although her poetry can be very powerful, it’s the vibe that Lana Del Rey creates that makes her unique. We will definitely be there at the Festival d’été de Québec on July 15th, where the singer will be present because surrounded by her fans we really feel her vibes.
alto pop
Did you know there is a tunnel under Ocean Blvd?
Lana del Rey
UniversalMusic