Singer Lana Del Rey, who made her very uncomfortable and kinda painful to watch national television debut on Saturday Night Live a couple of weeks ago, is featured on the cover and in the pages of the new issue of Complex magazine. Yesterday, almost right on schedule, Lana‘s major label debut album Born to Die leaked in full online. Now, I’m not sure if the leak was planned to help generate hype for the album’s release next Tuesday but in just the few hours the album has been available online, there has been a lot of buzz about Del Rey‘s album. HMMMM. Click below to see Lana Del Rey on the cover of Complex and preview her coverstory feature.
Since bursting onto the blogosphere last summer with “Video Games,” Lana Del Rey has become the most controversial woman on the internet. But over here at Complex, we’ve just been shaking our heads at the haters—with her haunting music and stunning style, there’s so much about Lana to love. With her debut album Born To Die and our February/March 2012 issue (also starring A$AP Rocky & Jeremy Scott) dropping within weeks of each other, it was a no-brainer for us to collaborate with LDR on a killer cover. Our issue officially hits stands on February 7, but we’re giving you a chance to get to know the real Lana now by reading her full cover story…
The full Complex feature can be read online HERE. Lana is the new darling of Interscope Records so they are doing everything they can to seemingly make her “happen”. Now, whether or not the leaking of her album is part of the plan, it seems to me (and many others, I gather) that a lot of orchestrating is going on behind the scenes to turn this buzz-worthy new artist into a star:
While the push to make Lana Del Rey a star is a bit off-putting, I cannot deny that she is an insanely talented singer. I have been able to listen to Born to Die a few times and I must admit … I really like it. The songs sound lush and the production makes the album sound like a million bucks (which, I’m guessing, is what’s been spent by Interscope in their continued attempt to make her “happen”). I love that her voice reminds me so much of Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star. I’m impressed with the collection of songs on Born to Die … so much so that I keep listening to the album on repeat, hearing something new each time. The music isn’t pop … nor is it rock … it’s something … else. If her disastrous SNL performance is anything to go by, I’m assuming her live performances aren’t very exciting … but damn, with a voice like hers … she really doesn’t need to perform. Still, Lana Del Rey is taking a lot of heat from her critics … which may not be fair, but is deffo part of the fame game. I really wish her public image felt more genuine and less pre-packaged. It’s that overbearing packaging of her as an “indie darling” that really turned me off at the start. But, as I said, I really love her voice … and her collection of songs on Born to Die is impressive. I’m curious to see more … I want to see her live in concert to hear this voice live. It remains to be seen if Lana Del Rey will blow up to be the megastar that her record label is hoping (and banking on) … but my advice would be to tone down the “trying too hard” and just let her insane talent speak for itself.
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She’s a gorgeous girl and I also like her music… But when my boyfriend showed me the clip of her on SNL, I just kept saying repeatedly, “There is no way this isn’t a skit. Is this a skit?”
Agree with everything you said, Trent. I love her voice and I can’t stop listening to her songs but then doing research on her, everything seemed, as you said it, so pre-packaged. I don’t know… I also wish she would stop trying so hard.
Now, I have been waiting to comment on the changes on your blog. I have now been a loyal reader since January of ’06. I’ve sent in reader pictures that you posted and though you may not remember, also privately e-mailed with you a couple of times over a picture I sent in. I have to say, I don’t like them. I was waiting to see if they would grow on me, but they haven’t. I agree with other posters, I come to this site because of your voice and your specific writing style. Also, a lot of our tastes mash well. I understand getting someone to fill in the voids that you can’t fulfill and that you are a busy man and need some help with your business (this is how YOU make your living after all) but I think these particular changes have hurt more than helped your blog. I know I can just skip over posts that don’t interest me (and I do!) but now I feel like I waste some of my time coming here because I have to do that as to where before I would read every (and I mean EVERY) post you wrote.
Additionally, while I have nothing against Melissa as she seems like a nice, sweet person, I do believe her writing lacks something. I want to be positively critical here- her grammar is often wrong (yours is sometimes as well but I forgive that because your writing style is just SO FUN!) and her general voice is more commercial and less personal. I understand you giving her a chance and I’m not jumping on the “I’m never coming here again!” bandwagon because that’s just silly- I still love your posts but maybe reconsider the changes or change the writer? I don’t know… but, if you ever need a girl to cover European goss then let me know as I’m now permanently living on this side of the pond! Hehe…
XO D
Thank you, Diana! So right and well said. The grammar thing really bothers me as well. It’s “can’t” not “cant”! And the impersonal, commercial “I read too many tabloid magazines” voice drives me insane!
Perfectly said.
As always, you hit it on the head, Trent! They are trying WAY too hard to make her happen and it has taken away from her appeal as an artist. I saw “Video Games” quite awhile ago and loved it, I was shocked that I’d never heard of her, but because of that it carried a natural indie vibe. I can’t say I was a fan of the two songs that were recently released, a little too much of a hip-hop feel for my taste, but I do look forward to hearing the album. I also watched the first half of her SNL performance and didn’t know what all the criticism was about. I think she’s being marketed very wrongly, her whole vintage look and indie sound need a more subtle approach.
Agreed. And I’d like to add that it is offputting to me when I read a blog and don’t even know who wrote it!
Hold on, you don’t want this blog to have more than one writer, unless that writer is you? Nice.
Actually, my biggest problem is not the fact that there’s another writer (at the end I suggest maybe changing the writer would be a good a idea because I’m not sure that Melissa fits in with Trent’s fan base/readers).
Secondly, if I really wanted to write for Trent (which I was just joking about btw) I would have sent in my resume and writing samples, and I haven’t, sooo…
Take a joke, geesh. :)
I saw her performing in french tv shows (Taratata and le grand journal ,where she returns next monday) she was very good , i’ve already pre-ordered her album
In all honesty, people are jealous. This girl has so many haters, and, to be quite frank, it’s because she’s insanely gorgeous and extremely talented. Yes, I realize her lips are unnatural, but, for some odd reason, it TOTALLY works for her. She’s a stunner. “Born to Die” totally OWNS and DRAGS Adele’s “21″ and so effortlessly, too. In fact, it is the best album to come out in years. The album is just fantastic and out of this world. I don’t think the blame should be put on Lana for her record label pushing her. I mean, if you think about it, she’s only done SNL and that’s been her ONLY promotion in the United States. The reason why it may seem like she’s everywhere is because the Internet, but if you go outside the Internet not that many people know who she is. I do think she’s authentic and not manufactured. I know people talk about her being Lizzy Grant, but her EP was Lana Del Rey a.k.a. Lizzy Grant. If you listen to her old music, the sound and the talent is still there; it hasn’t changed whasoever. Her appearance has changed, but people change all the time, just like Madonna. A lot of stars go under a different name (Elton John, Lady GaGa, etc.) and they don’t get shit for it, yet she does. People need to back the fack off tbqh, and just enjoy the music. Also, she’s amazing live, minus SNL. To be honest, she’s my new Britney (even though I still love Britney) because she has just captivated me with her talent and everything else. Truly amazing. Oh, and I don’t think her record label would leak her album… That’s sort of suicide. They would have streamed it. I realize it gets press, but when it was leaked all of the sites sharing it would have links and they would quickly die afterwards.
Unnatural-you can say that again.Google images of her and you’ll notice how in a short time this girls looks changed from pretty cute to playboy bunny.I get labels will try to market their performers as best as they can-but to see a young woman go under the knife,and change her image&style so drasticaly to sell records-just makes me sad.She isn’t the first and won’t be the last to have done so.
As always, you hit it on the head, Trent! They are trying WAY too hard to make her happen and it has taken away from her appeal as an artist. I saw “Video Games” quite awhile ago and loved it, I was shocked that I’d never heard of her, but because of that it carried a natural indie vibe. I can’t say I was a fan of the two songs that were recently released, a little too much of a hip-hop feel for my taste, but I do look forward to hearing the album. I also watched the first half of her SNL performance and didn’t know what all the criticism was about. I think she’s being marketed very wrongly, her whole vintage look and indie sound need a more subtle approach.
100% agree with Diana.
I love her music!! She is very talented. Love “Summertime Sadness.” It’s always in my head!
Great article about Lana Del Rey: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/29/arts/music/born-to-die-lana-del-reys-debut-album.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all?src=tp
I do think she’s talented but I feel like I never got the chance to decide if I like her or not because she was shoved down my throat. As a huge Fiona Apple fan, I especially resent the comparison to her because I don’t find them similar at all.
I’m still reserving judgement on this artist but she’s gotten off to a rough start for sure. Too bad.
She may be talented but she has no identity and is more painful to watch then Adele.