It’s hard to believe, but the greatest album of 2012 just became even greater.
Earlier today, Lana Del Rey revealed the album art, tracklisting and a teaser trailer from the re-release of her debut record, Born To Die The Paradise Edition, out on November 12. And tomorrow–today, technically–she’s releasing “Ride,” the lead single from the campaign.
By now, we’ve come to understand that a typical Lana Del Rey production is bound to contain certain traits: Lonesome vocals, evocative Americana, a swaggering stride, nostalgia-inducing swells of strings, references to her bad baby.
But “Ride, which was produced by Rick Rubin, takes Lana to the next level, as the songstress sets off along the dusty trail to find some peace of mind. It’s ethereal and majestic, and feels even more massive than anything she’s ever recorded.
I SCREAM THE BODY ELECTRIC.
Behold: Lana Del Slay, born Lizzimmaculate Grant, flaunting her heavenly body poolside and failing to display even a single flaw on the cover of her Born To Die re-release, Born To Die: The Paradise Edition, due out on November 12.
The album is now available to pre-order on iTunes, which means the official tracklisting has also arrived.
And the new tracks are…
Oh, it’s so good to finally hear from Miss Lana Del Rey again.
As the cooler months approach and the summertime sadness fades away, the gorgeous throwback chanteuse has just provided us with an appropriately chilling new offering: Her haunting take on the classic pop standard, “Blue Velvet.”
LITERALLY SIT THE FUCK DOWN AND STOP YOUR ENTIRE LIFE BECAUSE YOU AND I WERE BORN TO DIE.
During an interview with Tim Blackwell on Australia’s NovaFM (which I highly recommend), Lovely Legend Lana Del Rey confirmed something incredible: She is re-releasing her 110% flaw-free debut record Born To Die in November.
“It’s not a new album, it’s more like an afterthought,” she explained to the host. “It’s the Paradise edition of Born To Die. It’s like seven new songs that kind of put a period on the statement that I was making when I was making the record…it’s beautiful.”
LIKE. SEVEN. NEW. SONGS.
Excuse me, WHAT? SEVEN?! This is like Fame Monster…BUT WITH NO LITTLE MONSTERS.
Please excuse me while I bawl my eyes out from sheer joy/unworthiness and drive down the coast goin’ ’bout 99 with my bad baby (a box of Oreos) by my heavenly side. SOMEONE TELL ME I’M THEIR NATIONAL ANTHEM.
Presumably, this also means the very amazing “Body Electric,” which she’s been performing live on tour, will finally find itself a home nestled in the Paradise Edition of Born To Die this fall.
And while we’re talking all things Del Rey: If you haven’t already, please watch the brand new clip for “Summertime Sadness” below, co-starring Jaime King. It’s smokey, profoundly depressing and entirely flaw-free, but I can’t say very much more without revealing the whole thing–except that Lana is officially a LGBT warrior.
And now, I die.
Born To Die was released on January 30. (iTunes)
How much do I love thee, Lana Del Rey? Let me count the ways…
The nearly 8-minute Anthony Mandler-directed video for “National Anthem” has arrived…and it’s a masterpiece.
Beginning with a Marilyn Monroe-inspired intro, the video traces the romance between Lovely Lana and A$AP Rocky–turned Jackie O and JFK. But sandwiched in between all the preppy, idyllic imagery is a distinctly hip-hop flair–gold bling, playing craps on the White House floor, even Lana booty dropping!–perfectly representing the cut ‘n’ spliced vintage American nostalgia-meets-modern swagger of Lana Del Rey’s sound, her image, her persona…her everything.
Every single aspect of the video–the gorgeous cinematography, the acting, the styling, the ingenious blend of past and present symbolism–is just brilliant to its core. Additionally (spoiler alert!), the decision to mute the horror of the actual assassination avoids what could have very, very easily been a tacky effort to revisit history. Instead, the clip for “National Anthem” tastefully honors and re-imagines a tragic tale of love–even beyond death.
It’s mesmerizing, devastating, and not only is it Lana’s best work (easily), but it might well be the best video of the year.
I am in awe.
(Be sure to read the transcript of the chill-inducing closing monologue below the video, courtesy of Ben. Just beautiful.)
“It’s a love story for the new age…”
And I remember when I met him, it was so clear that he was the only one for me. We both knew it, right away. And as the years went on, things got more difficult- we were faced with more challenges.
I begged him to stay. Try to remember what we had at the beginning.
He was charismatic, magnetic, electric and everybody knew it. When he walked in every woman’s head turned, everyone stood up to talk to him. He was like this hybrid, this mix of a man who couldn’t contain himself. I always got the sense that he became torn between being a good person and missing out on all of the opportunities that life could offer a man as magnificent as him.
And in that way I understood him and I loved him. I loved him, I loved him, I loved him.
And I still love him. I love him.
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