Lana Del Rey’s new album, Honeymoon comes out on September 18. This is exciting news for my daughter and me, both big fans of the mournful chanteuse.
It is less exciting for my wife, who finds Del Rey boring and annoying. As we remind her regularly… haters gonna hate.
While looking up Honeymoon‘s release date, I discovered that Del Rey released an 8-song EP titled Paradise in between her last two full-length albums. New music before the new music!
As an appetizer, Paradise is quite solid. It has no throwaway tracks — even a quick cover of ‘Blue Velvet’ strikes just the right ethereal vibe.
Opening track ‘Ride,’ a minor hit, is the highlight. It’s a nice mix of Del Rey’s usual smoky nightclub aesthetic and a more anthemic, almost Springsteen-like quality.
The video is interesting — a 10-minute short film bookended by stoned poet narration, featuring Del Rey as a free-spirited biker chick slash prostitute.
I’ve been out on that open road
You can be my full time, daddy
White and gold
Singing blues has been getting old
You can be my full time, baby
Hot or cold
[Pre-Chorus]
Don’t break me down
I’ve been traveling too long
I’ve been trying too hard
With one pretty song
[Chorus]
I hear the birds on the summer breeze, I drive fast
I am alone in the night
Been tryin’ hard not to get into trouble
But I’ve got a war in my mind
So, I just ride
Just ride, I just ride, I just ride
[Verse 2]
Dying young and playing hard
That’s the way my father made his life an art
Drink all day and we talk ’til dark
That’s the way the road dogs do it — light ‘til dark
[Pre-Chorus]
Don’t leave me now
Don’t say goodbye
Don’t turn around
Leave me high and dry
[Chorus]
I hear the birds on the summer breeze, I drive fast
I am alone at midnight
Been tryin’ hard not to get in trouble, but I
I’ve got a war in my mind
I just ride
Just ride, I just ride, I just ride
[Bridge]
I’m tired of feeling like I’m fucking crazy
I’m tired of driving ’till I see stars in my eyes
It’s all I’ve got to keep myself sane, baby
So I just ride, I just ride I just ride
[Chorus]
[Chorus]
Hear the birds on the summer breeze, I drive fast
I am alone at midnight
Been tryin’ hard not to get in trouble, but I
I’ve got a war in my mind
I just ride
Just ride, I just ride, I just ride
Meet Me In Montauk 
For me, she is a less interesting, less innovative Lorde.