Courtesy LanaDelRey.com
Singer Lana Del Rey has outdone herself with her second album, “Ultraviolence.” Considered her second studio album (with 2012’s “Paradise” released as an EP), “Ultraviolence” brings new depth to Del Rey’s signature emotional ballads.
Even before her newest album, Lana Del Rey had been exposed to a fair amount of publicity. Born Elizabeth Grant, Del Rey took on her stage name to much success. Her first major album, “Born to Die” became the fifth best-selling album in 2012. Her success in record sales has made her well known, even among mainstream pop listeners.
“Ultraviolence,” however, is a turn from the cheery, upbeat choruses and sultry crooning Del Rey is so commonly known for. This album is quite different from most artists’ once success has fallen upon them—“selling out” to popular music audiences is a common career move, especially given Del Rey’s circumstances. However, Del Rey is making her music more raw and unique, which makes “Ultraviolence” a standout.
The album, produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, opens with “Cruel World,” a song which is darkly haunting. The theme carries throughout the rest of the album, showing characteristics of painful emotion, sin, and personal experiences.
A feeling of sadness is prominent throughout the album, with songs like “Pretty When You Cry” and “Shades of Blue” that are heartbreakingly beautiful.
From a musical sense, Del Rey has evolved her style since “Born to Die.” Almost every song on “Ultraviolence” maintains a retro sound, which is in stark contrast to the hits on her first album (“Born to Die” and “Summertime Sadness”) that skyrocketed her to fame. The songs are lacking the complexity her older songs had—gone are the sound bites that added contemporary flair.
Along with the instrumental simplicity, Del Rey is now more conservative with her vocals. Previously, she would attempt to jump from octave to octave, therefore making listeners question her voice’s normal pitch. In “Ultraviolence,” her voice almost always maintains a constant pitch, but results in occasionally sounding flat.
Del Rey’s delicate blend of instrumentals and vocals creates a listening experience that is like no other. Her newest songs are pleasant and appealing to the ear, but still posses the ability to evoke raw emotions such as pain and heartbreak. This formula has been successful for Del Rey before, but she takes it to the next level in “Ultraviolence.”
Is “Ultraviolence” for the casual Lana Del Rey listener? No. Del Rey has evolved away from the mainstream audience which had adopted much of her music.
Her newest album is beautiful in its own sense, but may not have the ability to be heard on any Top 40 radio stations. In fact, none of her newest singles are anywhere to be seen on the iTunes Top Songs chart. We must assume, however, that Del Rey wants her music to appeal only to select audiences. The beauty in this method is that her album will remain pristine among listeners, and will continue to be recognized as its rightful form — a work of art.
