Lust for Life, Lana Del ReyÔÇÖs 5th studio album was released after much anticipation from fans on July 21st this year. This album is a whopping 16 tracks long; thatÔÇÖs nearly 72 whole minutes of Lana-goodness. The album has been featured on┬áNME┬áand┬áRolling StoneÔÇÖs┬ábest albums of 2017 and has received much positive feedback from fans.
The first track┬áÔÇÿLoveÔÇÖ┬áfeatures Del ReyÔÇÖs typical vintage pop sound over grand orchestral backgrounds; itÔÇÖs a song that seems reflective and nostalgic. The title track┬áÔÇÿLust for LifeÔÇÖ follows but doesnÔÇÖt make me quite as excited, maybe because I was a little confused by the choice to collaborate with ÔÇÿThe WeekndÔÇÖ but it is followed by my favourite track of the album ÔÇÿ13 BeachesÔÇÖ┬áso the complaint doesnÔÇÖt last long. Songs┬áÔÇÿCherryÔÇÖ┬áand┬áÔÇÿWhite MustangÔÇÖ seem more reminiscent of the old Lana; lyrically she harks back to her days of reflecting on relationship trouble and falling in love with men she shouldnÔÇÖt.
The album then brings in the collaborations with A$AP Rocky and Playboy Carti on trap style songs┬áÔÇÿSummer BummerÔÇÖ┬áand┬áÔÇÿGroupie LoveÔÇÖ. Lana and Rocky have been friends for many years with him featuring in her music video for┬áÔÇÿNational AnthemÔÇÖ so it did seem natural that they should collaborate on a track at some point and the result does not disappoint.
The second half of the album does seem to swerve towards political themes with songs like┬áÔÇÿCoachella-WoodstockÔÇÖ, ÔÇÿin my MindÔÇÖ, ÔÇÿGod Bless AmericaÔÇÖ┬áand┬áÔÇÿWhen the World Was at War We Just Kept DancingÔÇÖ.┬áThis political twist on lyrics and songs is not a totally new concept for Lana and these songs are still enjoyable, however, they are amongst the most heavily critiqued of the album for being too layered with sometimes meaningless political imagery. Towards the end of the album, there can be nothing but praise for LanaÔÇÖs collaborations with impressive names such as Sean Ono Lennon and Stevie Nicks, followed by some bigger ballads in songs such as┬áÔÇÿChangeÔÇÖ.
The name of the album itself Lust for Life signals a move away from previous darker albums such as Ultraviolence and Born to Die. The album artwork also delivers a much happier and content image of Lana who can be seen beaming onset of the music video for her songLove. Yes, this album is different to her others, but this is typical of Lana whose work often reflects her evolution as both an artist and a person.
Martha Hughes