Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, known as Lana Del Rey, is an alternative pop solo artist most known for her album “Ultraviolence.” She released her debut single “Video Games” in 2011, and recently, Del Rey released a new album titled “Did you know there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd.” The whole album comes to a total of one hour and 17 minutes long. Here is my definative ranking of the album.
The Grants – I didn’t like the beginning since I’m personally not a fan of long intros. The transition into Lana’s voice was somewhat abrupt, but her voice sounds angelic when she sings “Do you think about heaven?” I like the chorus effect at the end and while she has a very nice voice, nothing stands out about the song. 7/10
Did you know there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd – In this song, Del Rey sings about there being a tunnel under Ocean Blvd (as the name suggests) in Long Beach, California. I liked the vocals at the end when she sings “don’t forget me,” but as a whole, I didn’t like this song. It sounded like she was mumbling in some parts of the song and it also felt far too long and repetitive. 5.5/10
Sweet – I like this song. It is very calm, but when she sings the higher notes in the song, it sounds out of place. The rhythm and the lyrics go together beautifully, while Del Rey sings with a hint of anger and passive aggressiveness in her tone. 6.5/10
A&W – This song felt like it went on forever, clocking in at almost seven minutes long. I enjoyed the first half more than I did the second half, as the second half is a lot more upbeat than the former. I think her voice sounds nice when she sings “it doesn’t really matter.” 6.5/10
Judah Smith Interlude – As previously stated, I’m not a huge fan of intros, especially ones that include speaking of any kind. This whole interlude was speaking and the end sounded like a mix of two different conversations, which was a little confusing. 1/10
Candy Necklace (feat. Jon Batiste) – In the first minute of the song, some parts remind me of Melanie Martinez because of the high pitch she’s singing in. I enjoyed this song, especially when she sings “Rockafella, my umbrella.” 7.5/10
Jon Batiste Interlude – The beginning of the interlude felt very lighthearted and old time-y, which I didn’t mind. There was lots of laughter and as the song approached the middle, it got louder, kind of like a beat drop, which I didn’t like as it felt like it didn’t match the song’s vibe. The voices in the interlude got louder in the second half, making it less peaceful and more chaotic. 6/10
Kintsugi – Kintsugi is the Japanese art of putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold. The lyrics remind me of being pushed to the side and forgotten about. The song itself has a sad, but peaceful tone to it, making it nice background music. This is my favorite song on the album, although I don’t love how long it is. 8.5/10
Fingertips – The lyrics “Sat in the shower, gave myself 2 seconds to cry, it’s a shame that we die,” feels like letting yourself be vulnerable for only a few moments when you’re alone. The tone in her voice seems ominous and traumatized. 6/10
Paris, Texas (feat. SYML) – I love the track in the background, it gives more of a SYML vibe, which is nice. Del Rey’s voice sounds very heavenly and my favorite part is when she sings “When you know, you know, it’s time, it’s time to go.” This is another one of my favorite songs on the album. 7.5/10
Grandfather please stand on the shoulders of my father while he’s deep-sea fishing (feat. RIOPY) – My first impression of the song was that it has a very long, very strange name. Her voice sounds nice in this song and in some parts she sounds like Taylor Swift. 7/10
Let The Light In (feat. Father John Misty) – I like the harmony between the two, they compliment each other. Del Rey’s voice sounds very nice when she sings the high notes. 8/10
Margaret (feat. Bleachers) – This songs gives off a very slow vibe. She sounds like she’s comforting someone when she sings “‘Baby, if your love is in trouble.” I dislike Bleachers’ part, as it sounds muffled and very out of place. 7.5/10
Fishtail – I love the beat drop, although it does not give me the normal “quiet Lana Del Rey” vibe. The lyrics talk about braiding hair, so I assume the title refers to a fishtail braid. The background vocals when she sings “can’t you see it” and “don’t you say it” remind me of Billie Eilish’s song “NDA.” I love the transition between the calm beat and the more upbeat one. 7.5/10
Peppers (feat. Tommy Genesis) – I disliked this song very much, especially the part when “hands on your knees” is being sung in the beginning. Tommy Genesis’ part is terrible, as it gives off a very different vibe from the actual song. The only part of the song I like is when she sings “I’m in love.” 3/10
Taco Truck x VB – The vibe, the beat, and her voice compliment each other nicely in this song, and while I enjoyed it, I had trouble focusing on the song as nothing about it kept my attention. 7/10
Overall, I’d say this was a good album, but I, among others, wish her songs weren’t so long, with most being over four and a half minutes. The whole album gives off a passive aggressive, but peaceful vibe to it, which is nice for when you’re trying to relax.
Final Ranking
- Kintsugi
- Let the Light In (feat. Father John Misty)
- Paris, Texas (feat. SYML)
- Fishtail
- Candy Necklace (feat. Jon Batiste)
- Sweet
- Margaret (feat. Bleachers)
- Grandfather please stand on the shoulders of my father while he’s deep-sea fishing (feat. RIOPY)
- The Grants
- Taco Truck x VB
- A&W
- Did you know there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd
- Fingertips
- Jon Batiste Interlude
- Peppers (feat. Tommy Genesis)
- Judah Smith Interlude
