With an established record of sullen and morbid melodies under her belt, Lana Del Rey has begun production of a re-release of her album ‘Born to Die’ called the ‘The Paradise Edition’ set to come out November 12.
Del Rey offers a spectrum of culture unseen in recent years. She combines elements of classic Americana, capitalism, excess and a Jessica Rabbit-like, glamorous aesthetic with darker elements including death, drugs and the deterioration of ephemeral celebrity. Her music, comparable to a 1950s do-wop in slow motion with echoing, innovative beats, brought about a swarm of press and fans this past year.
An auburn Lana looks at the camera as gloomily as Wednesday Addams with pouting red lips and a white sheer button-down against a seemingly jubilant blue sky in the cover art for her January released ‘Born to Die.’ Del Rey conveys an image as wholesome as a Norman Rockwell painting. However, her malicious lyrics and tracks like her unreleased “Ghetto Baby” conjure less than wholesome imagery.
‘Born to Die’ provides the listener with sullen, suicide-centric songs such as her virally famous “Video Games,” “National Anthem” and “Summertime Sadness.” Additionally, she includes tracks like “Diet Mountain Dew,” “Off to the Races,” and “Blue Jeans” which delve into Americana iconography with a sensual, Lolita-like twist. Arguably twisted.
‘The Paradise Edition’ cover art displays Del Rey in a skin-toned bathing suit with her signature opaque glaze in a palm tree-ridden set. The re-release, out November 12th, will include eight new tracks including “Cola,” “Body Electric” and her glowering rendition Bobby Vinton’s classic “Blue Velvet.” “Blue Velvet” also plays a part in H&M’s current ad campaign with Del Rey as the star, morosely singing the 1950s tune. ‘Paradise Edition’ will come complete with a Deluxe Box Set, consisting of a remixed CD, a video DVD, four new art prints and a vinyl 7” of “Blue Velvet.”
Del Rey’s “Ride,” the first single off of ‘The Paradise Edition’ is available on iTunes along with the option to pre-order the album.
