Lana Del Rey self-reflects through heartbreak & healing in Ocean Blvd
Via Billboard
We’re all at the Ramada on the hotel floor after listening to Lana Del Rey’s Ocean Blvd album.
Lana Del Rey's ninth studio album, Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd? is a raw and introspective exploration of the singer's personal history and emotions. With a focus on family, heartbreak, and self-evaluation, the album features an elevated take on Del Rey's signature sound, combining different elements of new modern production. Through her storytelling, Del Rey exposes not only who she is, but why she is who she is. Ocean Blvd is a testament to Del Rey’s unique and captivating storytelling style. The album is elevated by the singer's use of a fusion of Sixties beat poetry, Seventies piano pop, and more current rap and dance music production that only Del Rey can pull off.
The album opens with The Grants, a somber reflection on loss and grief that sets the tone for the rest of the album. Del Rey explores her familial history on several tracks, including Grandfather Please Stand on the Shoulders of My Father While He’s Deep-Sea Fishing and Kintsugi. The latter tackles the horrific experience of watching a loved one die. Del Rey also contemplates sexual development, estranged mother, and the harrowing reality of carrying trauma deep into adulthood on A&W and Fingertips. While A&W casts the spotlight on the media and the singer’s partners, Fingertips has her talking to a mirror while looking to lean on her beloved father and siblings for support.
Throughout the album, there is an undercurrent of heartbreak and self-reflection that is especially prevalent in the first half. When You Know is a dazzling and subdued track where Del Rey sings beautifully, "When you know, you know/It’s time, it’s time to go." The album also features nods to her previous work, with multiple references to her 2019 album, Norman F*cking Rockwell!.
Sonically, Ocean Blvd plays out like an elevated take on what Lana accomplished on her debut album Born to Die. The album leans heavily on the piano for most of the songs, and the featured artists Jon Batiste and Riopy offer their extraordinary talents in their respective tracks, giving a lounge feel.
The album's standout track is A&W, which showcases Del Rey's ability to blend different genres and create something truly unique. The song features a blend of Sixties beat poetry, Seventies FM piano pop, and more current rap and dance music production that only Del Rey can pull off. If offers an exhilarating Venice Bitch-style second-half switch-up, pivoting to a sexy rap with a trap beat. The lyrics are poignant and thought-provoking, casting the spotlight on the media and the singer’s partners.
Ocean Blvd is a captivating addition to Lana Del Rey's discography, showcasing her growth as an artist and a person. With a focus on introspection and vulnerability, the album offers a deep dive into the singer's personal history and emotions. Del Rey's signature sound is elevated to new heights through the use of piano and the inclusion of talented featured artists. Lana Del Rey fans will definitely enjoy Ocean Blvd. And if you are seeking a raw and emotional listening experience, this is the album for you.
