Tag Archives: Lana Del Rey

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Song of the Day #5,388: ‘Fingertips’ – Lana Del Rey

Continuing my track-by-track appreciation of Lana Del Rey’s newest album, Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd…

Track 9: ‘Fingertips’

Yesterday’s song might not have seemed radio friendly but it’s ‘Uptown Funk’ compared to the free form poem set to music titled ‘Fingertips.’

The first time I heard this I didn’t pay much attention to the lyrics, distracted by trying to work out the structure. Where is the chorus? Why does the melody shift from verse to verse, and in some cases echo melodies from songs on earlier albums? What the hell is this thing?

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Song of the Day #5,387: ‘Kintsugi’ – Lana Del Rey

Continuing my track-by-track appreciation of Lana Del Rey’s newest album, Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd…

Track 8: ‘Kintsugi’

A couple of weeks ago, I described Del Rey’s album Blue Bannisters as “the most gorgeous therapy session you’ll ever hear.” Well, the middle section of this new album responds with a hearty “hold my beer.”

Today’s track and tomorrow’s, which fall (not accidentally, I’m sure) at the dead center of Ocean Blvd, contain some of the most raw and personal lyrics of Del Rey’s career.

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Song of the Day #5,386: ‘Jon Batiste Interlude’ – Lana Del Rey

Continuing my track-by-track appreciation of Lana Del Rey’s newest album, Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd…

Track 7: ‘Jon Batiste Interlude’

Last week wrapped up with ‘Candy Necklace,’ a darkly mysterious song featuring Jon Batiste on piano and background vocals. That track segues neatly into this one, a short instrumental number that finds Batiste and Del Rey seemingly improvising in the studio.

The joy and exuberance in the room is palpable. Batiste has a natural charm and energy that really shine through on this track and bring out a playful side in Del Rey.

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Song of the Day #5,383: ‘Candy Necklaces’ – Lana Del Rey

Continuing my track-by-track appreciation of Lana Del Rey’s newest album, Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd…

Track 6: ‘Candy Necklaces’

This song features the first of two collaborations with recent Album of the Year Grammy winner Jon Batiste. Batiste’s contributions here include some sweet piano playing throughout and a rather eerie recitation of the title phrase in the outro.

‘Candy Necklaces’ is one of the most lyrically oblique songs on the album. References to “Rockafella” and “my umbrella” suggest Jay-Z and Rihanna, right? But why? Del Rey also alludes to A Tribe Called Quest, the Young and the Restless, and the Bible.

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Song of the Day #5,382: ‘Judah Smith Interlude’ – Lana Del Rey

Continuing my track-by-track appreciation of Lana Del Rey’s newest album, Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd…

Track 5: ‘Judah Smith Interlude’

The fifth song on Lana Del Rey’s new album is likely to be the most controversial and divisive thing on it. This is a five-minute sermon by megachurch pastor Judah Smith set to lovely piano and guitar accompaniment by Jack Antonoff.

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