Lana Del Rey's fascination with the Hollywood of yesteryear continues on the ten minute extravaganza for new single Ride. Like a film, the video even has rolling credits at the end!
Opening with a lengthy monologue, the singer-songwriter reveals a rebellious but emotionally fragile character, recounting the time in her life where she felt most free. A time where she found safety in others (illustrated by the "unconventional" male leads), sang to get by, and lived on the road.
It's not a way of living that society deems acceptable, as illustrated by the reaction of the people she used to know. But in the concluding monologue, after the viewer is subjected visually to that nomadic time, she reveals it's the life which society deems "normal" she questions: concluding that the fear of ones darkest fantasies stops a soul from truly being, as she was, "free". It's an interesting proposal to leave a viewer with.
The video for Ride is mini-masterpeice of 80's fashion, 90's grit and Golden age Hollywood glamor that goes beyond the gorgeous aesthetic with an intriguing narrative. Lana, you have outdone yourself, musically and visually!
Check it out, and let me know what y'all think in the comments!
Those opening strings are gorgeous, the whole arrangement is! The more she brings me the more I love her, this is a truly fantastic piece of work, you can tell a lot of love and devotion went into this, this has a real message unlike some other 'artists' out there *cough Gaga cough*.
ReplyDeleteI would also note that her speaking voice is really beautiful too, she could talk to me all day and I would be happy :D but where her singing is concerned there is a marked improvement, the control overall seems more solid.
Love love love!
Super talented girl who doesn't get enough credit. Stunningly beautiful too. Mesmerising video that really should silence her detractor who cares if her lips aren't authentic her art certainly is.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Lana do seems more convincing than Gaga with message passage through the music itself, but Gaga has done much more outside music/videos to prove her message, and hey, let's not be selfish, there are plenty of people that believe and feel empowered by what Gaga does(myself included) if the message it's not real for you, it's real for me, and to many other people :)
ReplyDeleteMy issue with Gaga is that there seems to be a new 'message' every day and sometimes these 'messages' are contradicting of themselves ie. the bulimia gig, and then the being happy as you are message....I find it very hard to believe anything she says now.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of such things I am not taking away from her talent, great vocalist! I just wish she would get back to her fun tongue in cheek stuff (The Fame & Fame Monster Era), hopefully ARTPOP will not be all serious as Born this way was just way overboard to the point of completely cheesy. lol
Right there with you until that "great vocalist". I mean for real? "great"? Isn't that a tad insulting to the really great vocalists? ;)
ReplyDeleteI still say that Tony Bennet gig shows her up to be no more than average.
yeah when i seen the motor bikes all i heard was ...JUDAAAS JUDAHAHA..lol.. i dislike the song (sad face), but i dont mind because this video is stunning beyond belief and i do find her more convincing than gaga...gaga hasn't convinced me since THE FAME.i used to listen to amy winehouse and cry because i was so caught up in her emotions and lana del rey is the closest to that emotion iv heard ... although shall never compair to dear amy
ReplyDeletePiece of art, the tone and authenticity of her voice in the narration is a unique as when she is singing. Stunning video, she delivers a message without it being contrived unlike many of today's artists. Whats saddening is this will go largely unnoticed not adding to her credibility as an artist as to many Lana is tainted with stigma of being a yesteryear icon modern day wannabe spoiled by shaky live performance and plastic enhancement. When in fact she is actually everything she wants to be and more if we could just focus on her talents and not our cynicism that has been molded by many contemporary wannabes before her. This video proves she is the real deal
ReplyDeleteI got to agree with you, it's hard to believe in some words of hers. Y
ReplyDeleteWith every release she keeps growing on my heart, truly love her. Her narration is wonderful, so good that it feels intimate for who is watching.
ReplyDelete"real message"
ReplyDeleteis there such thing as a fake message? every song has a message, whether it be "profound" or not.
Her "be yourself" message has been the same since 2008.
ReplyDeleteI don't get how having bulimia contradicts being yourself, though. Maybe I'm misconstruing your words.
It's really funny when people complain about her being fake or disingenuous and then turn around and say they want old Gaga back, aka the Gaga that lied her way to the top, the Gaga that was a completely artificial character all day, every day.
Now that's hypocritical.
The video is very beautiful video, but oh so cliche. How many hipster/Tumblr cliches can one fit into a video? Fireworks, Instagram filters, Native American headdresses, smoking, guns... It's like cliche after cliche.
ReplyDeleteI do find it funny that people believe Lana is more "genuine" than any other major record label artist. This is a woman who has changed her image and name several times until she finally found one that made her famous. This is a woman who was born into wealth and then talked about how she had no money growing up. This is a woman who had major plastic surgery to make her image more "beautiful". She's as artificial as any other popstar. But I guess because she doesn't make dance music she's a "real artist"? Lol.
Her message is the definition of contrived, though. Her message is the same ol' "Love is hard, life is sad, let's smoke and be depressed." Lana has never had to struggle. Not one day in her life has she ever had it hard. The worst thing that has ever happened to her is that she missed her botox appointment that one time.
ReplyDeleteUhm, I think you are confusing Lana for Gaga.
ReplyDeleteCliche after cliche? Check
Grown up in privileged circumstances? Check
Never had to struggle? Check
Contrived messages? Check
Change image until you find one that makes you famous? Check
Original songwriter?...uncheck
Yes, there's fake messages...check out this faker called Gaga!
ReplyDeleteYou need to read up on what causes eating disorders. Being happy with or proud of who you are is definitely NOT a cause dude.
ReplyDeleteLOL Three downvotes? I am betting none of those 3 even bothered checking out those links. Or more likely even...have incredibly poor ears and taste. i.e. Gaga stans
ReplyDeleteLol ok, maybe great was slightly generous! But I can see why some people do like her, personally I am just bored out of my mind now.....And Kudos to Elkie, now thats a 'great' voice...not heard her in ages either, and I mean years!
ReplyDeleteThere certainly can be, its usually called a lie...
ReplyDeleteIts contradicting because a lot of people develop bulimia because they are not happy with the way they look, its not a stones throw away from body dysmorphic disorder.
ReplyDeleteSo claiming she 'suffered' from such an illness all the while preachin to be happy as you are is extremely contradicting and also a very dangerous message to send out to impressionable young girls and women, Opie is right as said below.
At no point did anyone here say they wanted the old Gaga back at any point, I think people want fresh and original and most certainly not boastful (and non proven claims - such as Born this way being the record of the decade - which it was never even close to) but I agree with your sentiments on her climb to fame, it's just most of us can see it now...
Yip, her mouth always trips her up! Anyway where have you been hiding? :p did you go A.W.O.L.
ReplyDeleteThis will be interesting if it's true
ReplyDeleteLana Del Rey Online@LanaDReyOnline [Rumour] Haus of Gaga confirms Lana Del Rey will feature on Lady Gaga's 'ARTPOP'
Remember that conversation we had about taking the work of deceased artists for you own gain??? Here is another one, the shame!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a430522/lady-gaga-buying-up-edith-piaf-memorabilia.html
One down vote was me Opie. It was just an accident though, I balanced it out with an up vote though :P
ReplyDeleteMajor plastic surgery?
ReplyDeleteYou talk as if she went Joan Rivers on her face.
she got lip fillers, one of the simplest plastic surgery procedures out there and one of the most minor as well considering her lips didn't fill out that much compared to what she originally had.
Oh hell no.
ReplyDeleteMy sentiments exactly, it seems nobody is safe...
ReplyDeleteLol I love Joan Rivers, also do you think Lana had her nose done? I cannot decide if it looks like she did or not, she looks amazing either way. :)
ReplyDeleteI love Joan as well :)
ReplyDeleteAnd Lana's nose looks about the same to me, I looked at multiple angles from candid photos from then and now. If she did it was very minor because I don't really notice much difference.
So far the worst case of using the work of a deceased artist I've come across so far would be this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OnnDqH6Wj8
ReplyDeleteAlthough this is a special case because he's using Etta, and copying a current dj Avicii's beat. :P
Wow! I totally hate this song (what he has done to it that is) and most of his work in general tbh. But yeh its not on taking anybodies work thinking you can do what ever you want with it, in this case he totally ruined it and disrespected the memory of Etta.
ReplyDeleteThese 'people' really do think highly of themselves. I dont mind covers at all, I mean even MC and Celine have had a couple of dodgy ones but their voices at least done some service to the songs - he brings nothing, not even genuine charisma....
LOL THAT about sums it up. Well put sir! :)
ReplyDeleteLOL I believe you Serendipity and I stand corrected..two didn't check them and/or have no ears. I saw you favored Elkie.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Good voice but I thought of that performance because that's a truly great delivery full of emotional truth.
ReplyDeleteSurprised you guys don't seem to be impressed with Ofra. Such a gorgeous voice and a singer who also didn't need auto tune.
opie you are more than correct . she starts a body confidence campaign due to being called fat yet she just said shes starting to exercise again to lose the 25 pounds she gained . F.A.K.E !
ReplyDeleteOfra Haza is one of my faves.
ReplyDeleteCool! Not many heard of her. How come you did?
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite videos btw, do you know it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNORpY9uxPw
Yes, I know Elohi, a song she always performed splendidly well! I was introduced to her through my mother and from then on, I recognized her distinctive voice in many projects over the years. I still remember listening to her big dance crossover album "Desert Wind" from the 1980s and that was also a well made record filled with good material.
ReplyDeleteI'm not familiar with that album. Not a fan of dance music. I heard it but only the once. Except of course Im nin alu. But I prefer the original version of that.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2xNTzlFSk0
The original of "Im Nin Alu" can't be beat. And while I know you aren't a fan of dance music, Desert Wind was a good album filled with a lot of traditional tunes as well as more glitzy produced works.
ReplyDeleteMaybe ive been under a rock but Im not familar with her but now that I am, Im kinda of a fan
ReplyDeletewell, i've been spending some time in few shows. Recently, when i'm not sleeping, i'm singing lmao. But, thankfully, i'm back :p
ReplyDeleteThis video is fabulous ! I am big fan of Gaga and Lana and i think that they are one of the greatest artists these days !!! Very good production ! Kinda reminds me of Gagas "Marry The Night" video because of the message. They are both telling their own stories and revealing their past in great "art pieces". Love it !
ReplyDeleteIt's probably reminiscent of a small film due to the fact that it IS a small film haha. It was released at the Aero Theater in Santa Monica California. The video is gorgeous. The concept although not unique is very much suited towards Lana and her recount of her past through the images she presents us just makes the concept develop even more emotion. I don't think a person's family or financial background should make any difference towards our perception towards their music. Sure Lana comes from a very wealthy background. But that hasn't stopped her from living her life the way she wanted to. Even with the consequences. She makes music that is important to HER. Very beautiful music with amazing arrangements and sounds. Why should her family ruin the beauty of it?
ReplyDelete