Lana Del Rey
“Shades of Cool”
Ultraviolence (out 06.13 on Interscope)
I wasn’t quite prepared to say it after last month’s sweeping, “West Coast,” but Ms. Lana has officially well and truly got her mawfuckin’ groove back. Seemingly doomed to be pop music’s Lindsey Lohan (a few great early moments followed by years of mediocrity and trainwreck), the 27 year-old seems to have re-discovered the starry-eyed nostalgia and drama that made us fall in love with her in the first place. Simply put, “Shades of Cool” is the best thing she’s released since her stunning debut singles “Video Games” and “Blue Jeans.” Built around a romantic, Bond-ian string arraignment, the New York native turns in a stunning vocal performance. There’s real heart here — real pain in those mellifluous pipes. An artist this dramatic only really works if you feel it, and I am more than feeling it. Great to have you back, Lana.
