Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, or Lana Del Rey, is
the cooler, more poetic version of Taylor Swift if you
don’t know who she is. She’s an American singer,
songwriter, and record producer. Lana Del Rey is
honestly the William Shakespeare of our century, and I
can say that with most certainty. She’s known for her
baroque pop and alternative styles throughout the music
world.
Starting in just 2008 at age twenty-three, the
singer started releasing music as Lizzy Grant, but
nothing went big until 2011 with her debut single,
‘Video Games’ and shortly after, her album ‘Born to
Die’, where she released her new title, Lana Del Rey.
Ever since then, she became a humungous hit. It
wasn’t until eight years later that I discovered her angelic
voice. ‘Brooklyn Baby’ and ‘Young and Beautiful’, were the epidemy of my junior high
existence.
Moreover, it wasn’t until the beginning of high school that I dove headfirst into the
wonderful channels of Lanita Bonita. Barely sixteen, just been broken up with, she was my
savior. No one could have better healed me than Lana Del Rey with her sugary voice and
meaningful words.
Ever since the release of ‘Born to Die’, it has been Lana Del Rey’s best-selling album
with ‘Honeymoon’ following close behind, according to most articles. It’s an extremely
controversial topic on how each nine albums should be ranked because her most popular songs
are from various albums. ‘Summertime Sadness’ from ‘Paradise’ which is an extended version of
‘Born to Die’, her single, ‘Say Yes To Heaven’ and ‘Young and Beautiful’, ‘West Coast’ from
‘Ultraviolence’, and ‘Radio’ from ‘Paradise’ once again. Anyway, you’re dealing with Lana Del
Rey’s number one fan, so I’m here to rank her nine albums and give reasons why they’re ranked
as they are.
#1: Ultraviolence
As I hinted earlier, ‘Ultraviolence’ is listed as No. one due to the angelic poetry it
portrays. Released on June 13, 2014, as the third studio album from the artist. Now the reason I
adore this album so much is how she incorporates Rock with Dream Pop with Jazz, all into a
beautiful arrangement of ecstasy. Fifteen songs full of poetic wonder, that so many people can
relate to in one way or another. Lana Del Rey has pulled inspiration from Elvis Presley, Priscilla
Presley, and Marilyn Monroe all together, and we see each of those aesthetics in this album.
Think of Ultraviolence as the emo, nightmare version of the California dream we know as ‘Born
to Die’. But you shouldn’t judge this album like a picture book.
As I hinted earlier, ‘Ultraviolence’ is listed as No. one due to the angelic poetry it
portrays. Released on June 13, 2014, as the third studio album from the artist. Now the reason I
adore this album so much is how she incorporates Rock with Dream Pop with Jazz, all into a
beautiful arrangement of ecstasy. Fifteen songs full of poetic wonder, that so many people can
relate to in one way or another. Lana Del Rey has pulled inspiration from Elvis Presley, Priscilla
Presley, and Marilyn Monroe all together, and we see each of those aesthetics in this album.
Think of Ultraviolence as the emo, nightmare version of the California dream we know as ‘Born
to Die’. But you shouldn’t judge this album like a picture book.
#2: Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd.
Her most recent album, only one year old, is filled with spectacular locals, lyrics, and
aesthetics. Sixteen whole songs, including two interludes, represent the coquettish dream Lana
has become. It begins with the choir rehearsal and ends with the piano sustain, drawing you in
closer with each song. You must let the light in with this album. From the time I discovered
‘Ultraviolence’ to now, I have changed in many ways. So although I used to relate more to the
lyrics of ‘Ultraviolence’, when her ninth album dropped I cried. How could all these words hit
right where they needed to? This album is honestly the most angelic album she has ever made.
aesthetics. Sixteen whole songs, including two interludes, represent the coquettish dream Lana
has become. It begins with the choir rehearsal and ends with the piano sustain, drawing you in
closer with each song. You must let the light in with this album. From the time I discovered
‘Ultraviolence’ to now, I have changed in many ways. So although I used to relate more to the
lyrics of ‘Ultraviolence’, when her ninth album dropped I cried. How could all these words hit
right where they needed to? This album is honestly the most angelic album she has ever made.
#3: Born to Die/ Paradise
I know ‘Born to Die’ and ‘Paradise’ are two completely different albums, but in this case,
I’ll be ranking them together, since ‘Paradise’ is just an extended version of ‘Born to Die’.
‘Paradise’ includes all the original twelve songs plus the deluxe edition of nine more. I love this
album because of the funk it has, and the summer feel you get listening to it. It’s almost like I
was born to listen to this paradise-like album. Yeah? It portrays beautifully how Del Rey felt in
this period of her life, and the art she was able to create with her experiences.
I know ‘Born to Die’ and ‘Paradise’ are two completely different albums, but in this case,
I’ll be ranking them together, since ‘Paradise’ is just an extended version of ‘Born to Die’.
‘Paradise’ includes all the original twelve songs plus the deluxe edition of nine more. I love this
album because of the funk it has, and the summer feel you get listening to it. It’s almost like I
was born to listen to this paradise-like album. Yeah? It portrays beautifully how Del Rey felt in
this period of her life, and the art she was able to create with her experiences.
#4: Honeymoon
Honeymoon isn’t Ultraviolence by any means. Honeymoon is like the euphoric, ethereal
version, giving us fourteen songs expressing the divinity of Lana Del Rey. I wouldn’t rank the
entire album No. one; however, I would rank the crossfading segue we hear in this album to be
number one. The transition from one song to the next is the most heavenly thing we could hear
from her. For example, ‘Freak’ transitioning into ‘Art Deco’ is literally a gift from God. When
you’re feeling your best, Honeymoon is the album you go to. It’s the kind of album you slow
dance to rock music.
Honeymoon isn’t Ultraviolence by any means. Honeymoon is like the euphoric, ethereal
version, giving us fourteen songs expressing the divinity of Lana Del Rey. I wouldn’t rank the
entire album No. one; however, I would rank the crossfading segue we hear in this album to be
number one. The transition from one song to the next is the most heavenly thing we could hear
from her. For example, ‘Freak’ transitioning into ‘Art Deco’ is literally a gift from God. When
you’re feeling your best, Honeymoon is the album you go to. It’s the kind of album you slow
dance to rock music.
#5: NFR
Due to this being a school paper, I’m going to refer to the shortened name of this album as
NFR. NFR is angelic in the same way as Honeymoon, but it’s more somber and sweeter. When I
feel like I run the world, I listen to Honeymoon, however, when I feel like I’m being run by the
world, I choose NFR. Fourteen perfectly orchestrated songs wrapped in ribbon. It’s just about the
best next American record.
Due to this being a school paper, I’m going to refer to the shortened name of this album as
NFR. NFR is angelic in the same way as Honeymoon, but it’s more somber and sweeter. When I
feel like I run the world, I listen to Honeymoon, however, when I feel like I’m being run by the
world, I choose NFR. Fourteen perfectly orchestrated songs wrapped in ribbon. It’s just about the
best next American record.
#6: Lust For Life
I’ll admit it, Lust For Life has always given me the same vibes as Born to Die, however,
Lust For Life is filled with more fire and excitement. The features on this album bring out sounds
we forget are there, which include, The Weekend, A$AP Rocky, Playboy Carti, Stevie Nicks,
and Sean Ono Lennon, all mobilizing a flawless structure of music throughout the whole album.
It’s a bummer it’s not summer yet to listen to this.
I’ll admit it, Lust For Life has always given me the same vibes as Born to Die, however,
Lust For Life is filled with more fire and excitement. The features on this album bring out sounds
we forget are there, which include, The Weekend, A$AP Rocky, Playboy Carti, Stevie Nicks,
and Sean Ono Lennon, all mobilizing a flawless structure of music throughout the whole album.
It’s a bummer it’s not summer yet to listen to this.
#7: Chemtrails Over the Country Club
Chemtrails Over the Country Club only released three years ago in March, has reached the
top five in twenty countries, including the U.S. where it peaked at number two on the Billboard
200. The difference between this album and the rest is the folk and country folk vibe she renders. According to the Variety, they say, “As lovely as it is, “Chemtrails Over the Country Club”occasionally feels a little too light- free of the lyrical heft and often dizzying experimentation ofprevious albums.” In conclusion, this album is wild at heart and even if it’s not my favoritealbum, I can catch myself listening to it over and over again, especially on a cool summer evening.
Chemtrails Over the Country Club only released three years ago in March, has reached the
top five in twenty countries, including the U.S. where it peaked at number two on the Billboard
200. The difference between this album and the rest is the folk and country folk vibe she renders. According to the Variety, they say, “As lovely as it is, “Chemtrails Over the Country Club”occasionally feels a little too light- free of the lyrical heft and often dizzying experimentation ofprevious albums.” In conclusion, this album is wild at heart and even if it’s not my favoritealbum, I can catch myself listening to it over and over again, especially on a cool summer evening.
#8: Blue Banisters
Rearmost nevertheless just as importantly, Blue Banisters. Blue Banisters released the
same year as Chemtrails Over the Country Club in the fall, arrived at a difficult time for Lana
Del Rey. After being criticized day after day from her music to her brand of feminism, to her
choice of face masks during the pandemic. It’s exhausting being such a living legend, so she
coped by releasing this beautiful array of delight spread out into fifteen songs. This album is
prevalent in the world during Covid-19 and Black Lives Matter, and that’s why I love it. It’s a
time we all remember with each of our own stories, especially now that it’s completely forgotten
that it ever happened. I love Blue Banisters because it’s calm and collected and feels like what a
pearl necklace looks like.
Rearmost nevertheless just as importantly, Blue Banisters. Blue Banisters released the
same year as Chemtrails Over the Country Club in the fall, arrived at a difficult time for Lana
Del Rey. After being criticized day after day from her music to her brand of feminism, to her
choice of face masks during the pandemic. It’s exhausting being such a living legend, so she
coped by releasing this beautiful array of delight spread out into fifteen songs. This album is
prevalent in the world during Covid-19 and Black Lives Matter, and that’s why I love it. It’s a
time we all remember with each of our own stories, especially now that it’s completely forgotten
that it ever happened. I love Blue Banisters because it’s calm and collected and feels like what a
pearl necklace looks like.
In conclusion, Lana Del Rey is a beautifully talented artist who deserves everything good
this world has to offer. If you ask me, no one deserves a Grammy more than her; especially ‘Did
You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd.” because it’s something we haven’t heard
before. It includes the most celestial vocals and elegant lyrics that we’ve ever seen. Lana Del
Rey is what brought back the bow trend, she has influenced girlhood and simply just the media
for decades. In Lana do we trust.
this world has to offer. If you ask me, no one deserves a Grammy more than her; especially ‘Did
You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd.” because it’s something we haven’t heard
before. It includes the most celestial vocals and elegant lyrics that we’ve ever seen. Lana Del
Rey is what brought back the bow trend, she has influenced girlhood and simply just the media
for decades. In Lana do we trust.
