Lana Del Rey’s Born To Die leaked yesterday (Jan. 24), a full week ahead of its highly anticipated release. A lot of people listened to it (us included), and a lot of people hated it (us not included). The hard line against Lana née Lizzy’s first effort seems to be that the album comes off as a thin derivative of early Fiona Apple — and just one edge of the multifaceted Fiona at that. We don’t think that criticism is necessarily a fair recounting of each of the record’s 15 tracks, six of which you’ve probably heard in some form or another anyway. But if we were to agree on one thing, it’s that “Million Dollar Man” is the track that begs for the comparison.
It’s a woozy, swaying ballad that echoes Apple’s “Shadowboxer” as deeply as Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” does Madonna’s “Express Yourself”. Hear it after the jump.
Lana Del Rey – “Million Dollar Man”
Lana Del Rey has been touring this track at a handful of live showcases over the past few months. Like most of the songs on Born To Die, “Million Dollar Man” finds Del Rey lamenting a soured love affair. This time, it’s her Mr. Big, who’s at once “screwed up” and “brilliant” and who she’d follow as far “down, down, down” as Bob Dylan did his “baby” on his self-titled debut in 1962. That’s the thing about Born To Die: While its themes are age-old, its great production brings each sad little love song right up to date. These are tracks for an audience perhaps too young to remember as far back as Dylan or even Fiona, but fully capable of connecting with the burning-so brightly feelings of the first real (and not so real) love Lana lays bare here.
If you liked the spirit of “Video Games”, those unexpected hip-hop turns on “Blue Jeans”, or the dramatic orchestral arrangements on “Born To Die”, you’re going to like this album. Yes, lyrically, Del Rey leans a little too hard on cheap turns of phrase, like when she asks “You look like a million dollar man / So why is my heart broke?” or when she breathily namechecks “Pabst Blue Ribbon on ice,” (which, for the record, ugh, is not a thing). But look past the affectation and it’s all there, if not all real.
So that’s pretty much our piece on Lana Del Rey’s debut. You probably have feelings of agreement or disagreement. Have at it in the comments, or on Twitter and Facebook.
i agree. while i still question her authenticity, the music her team puts out is great, and really that’s all that counts. people, don’t let her image turn you off- listen to the music! best tracks IMO- Dark Paradise, Radio, Summertime Sadness
Yes! The second trilogy after ‘Born to die’, ‘Blue Jeans’ + ‘Video Games’.
The biggest problem with this album is that Lana Del Rey needs a boob job.
I wasn’t aware that anybody NEEDED a boob job.
I got a chance to listen to the album, and I was prepare to hate it, but I must admit (ever so reluctantly) that I rather enjoyed it. I really like the song Carmen.
I die for million dollar man, dark paradise and born to die. The production is sick.
Well not men, obviously. But it definitely would have made this album far more enjoyable.
Well not men, obviously. But it definitely would have made this album far more enjoyable.
I’m in love with every song I’ve heard of hers so far!!! She’s incredible… what’s more, she’s a songwriter, which is rare nowadays! Her and Gaga are top notch artists! :)
The thing is with this girl is she actually has a really cool voice. The problem is her magic only happens on CD. It’s kind of a shame. If she worked on her stage presence she could be huge. She gives us a new kind of “pop”.
I’m not a little monster but she is no comparison to Gaga. Gaga has talent, originality and crazy good stage presence.
I’m also curious how much of these musical arrangements and ideas are actually her own. Or if she just helps with the songwriting.
This is much better and more haunting than Shawdowboxer… at least I think so. I don’t understand why anyone would say she’s “copying” Fiona… and for that matter why anyone would say Gaga copied Madonna.
This is SO amazing.