Review: Lana Del Rey's Perfect 'Paradise'

 

Lana Del Rey is breathtaking in every aspect. From her sexy and perfectly sculpted figure, to her California hipster style and her suicide-centric tunes, there doesn't seem to be much she can do wrong... except pull of a live performance convincing enough to show she isn't a studio artist, but that's a debate for a different time.

When Born to Die dropped, I was eager to pounce on the over-hyped indie American Apparel looking Duffy-wannabe, branding the album with 7 out of 10 stars and question the longevity of an album that wallowed in angst. Especially in a world previously dominated by Amy Winehouse, Duffy and lastly Adele. Though it was clear that Lana would probably never (or at least not immediately) achieve great mainstream success, I think I judged this album as such. The 7 should have been so much more. Born to Die is one of the 3 albums released this year that I can still listen to from track one and all the way through the bonus tracks.

Paradise is hardly different. It doesn't really show growth, but as a bonus EP for fans, I don't think it's quite necessary for Lana to be trying to change up her sound and image just yet. Songs like "Ride" and "Body Electric" could be thrown into any part of Born to Die easily. In fact, you could probably put the two albums on a party shuffle and not really know which track came from which release... but again, that's not a bad thing considering there isn't a single bad track on either.

Stand out tracks are the H&M theme "Blue Velvet," a revised and more profound version of "National Anthem" titled "American" and a song that will make the fine hair on the back of your neck stand up, "Bel-Air." "Blue Velvet" is extremely nostalgic of the 50s, borrowing just the right amount from the original composition to off-set the moodiness of Lana's vocals. "American," which is my favorite track in her catalog, has actual radio potential and will hopefully become a sleeper hit. "Bel-Air" is haunting and borders eerie, but in a beautiful way. 

The EP is also full of great tweet-worthy/facebook status-worthy one-liners like, "Be young. Be dope. Be proud" or "My pussy tastes like Pepsi Cola."

My only complaint would be that this is probably the limit for this sound I'd want for Lana. Even if she was to release another album as good, but with the same sound... It would probably just be sad and annoying. The upside for this is that she's already mentioned that her new album will be different, more musical and more "California." Hopefully by that she means warm.

Paradise, though fresh, is already lingering near the top of my list of "Best Albums of 2012." The only thing she could have done is give me one more album like "America" or "National Anthem."

(9 Out of 10 Stars)