Born to survive?

Listening to the melodic old school voice of Lana Del Rey, it is not hard to imagine that this woman might have been teleported straight out of a 1920’s speakeasy. Her voice and general musical character harkens back to an earlier era and has a nostalgic quality all its own. However, upon closer observation of Del Rey’s lyrics, you will find that her mature and racy lines are completely and purely 21st century.

In 2010, Del Rey released her first EP, entitled “Kill Kill,” on

iTunes. However, for reasons not publicly known, the tracks were removed within days of their release.

Since then, Del Ray has sought to recreate her work. Her most recent album, “Born to Die,” was released worldwide on January 31, 2012.

Del Rey’s shoot to stardom was launched shortly before that release by her very popularized appearance on Saturday Night Live, which was characterized by her bizarre and laid-back performance. Del Rey has gained much attention from this. Unfortunately for her, most of it was negative.

Although Del Rey has been the brunt of some unfavorable interpretations and remarks, she demonstrates a quirky, complex talent through her writing and singing. The criticism she received following her SNL shoot made her album “Born to Die” one of the most talked about and anticipated albums of the month.

Born to Die is a step in the right direction for Del Rey. Although her lyrics are somewhat provocative, they exude the somber realities of the everyday struggles in the human experience. In her song “Radio,” Del Rey sings, “American dreams came true somehow, I swore I’d chase until I was dead. I heard the streets were paved with gold. That’s what my father said.” In these lines, Del Rey alludes to idealistic views of life and the way the individual strives to achieve success and recognition.

Del Rey also touches on how love is what makes life so vibrant and meaningful in her song “Video Games.” In it, she declares, “It’s you, it’s you, it’s all for you. Everything I do. I tell you all the time, Heaven is a place on earth with you.”

From these lyrics, it is clear that Del Rey’s music consists of so much more than her sultry, smooth and intricate voice. The beat and tempo of her songs are also very appealing. Listening to her album can be a soothing, relaxing experience.

A downside to Del Rey’s newest album is perhaps the overuse of swear words and sexual innuendo. Along with that, she seems to contradict her untainted statements in some songs about living a meaningful life. For example, in her song “Born to Die,” she remarks, “Let’s go get high. The road is long; we carry on. Try to have fun in the meantime.” It is unfortunate that this negative element mars such raw and pure talent. It is hard to find one song from “Born to Die” that does not allude to something objectionable.

One might not want to have “Born to Die” playing in the family car, but it is a great new album for individuals who like a different yet rich flow of musical tonality. Del Rey is definitely a music artist to make note of and watch for in the future. While predictions can be wrong, many believe that Del Rey’s past will only help benefit her in her future endeavors, whatever they may be.