ear candy: lana del rey's "paradise"

 

   we all know who lana del rey is. whether it's because of her H & M campaign, that horrid SNL appearance, or just by becoming obsessed with her after the resurgence of her self-made, and albeit choppy, viral videos, miss lana del rey is somewhat of a household name.

 

i first fell in love with her in college. my friend put me on to her "born to die" album and it has stuck with me ever since. when i heard she was coming out with a second record, i knew it was something that couldn't be missed.

 

 

"paradise," named after a google-worthy unreleased track of hers, isn't of cult status as her first album, but it possess some songs with great lyricism and nerve.

 

 

 

with themes circling around america, cherry pie, lust, obsession, freedom, and the open road, "paradise" is def a hollywood record from one of the most hollywood artists out right now. mostly, down tempo, the record highlights del rey's famous girlish ad libs and deep crooning.

"paradise" is the type of record you put on when you want something pretty to listen to. not as angsty as "born to die," "paradise" is mature and honest and less of a caricature of her celebrity.

 

 

some of my faves are

 

ride (reminiscent of late-elvis)

body electric (sensual, with themes of celebrity and the thrill of stardom)

bel air (haunting and ballad-esque)

gods and monsters ( rock-fueled, and lyrical)

 

try it on for size and tell me what you think

 

jas

ear candy: "debut"

remember when bjork used to be good? yes, there was actually a time when bjork was sane and made good music. a time when her only claim to fame was not wearing a swan dress to the grammy's.  during my usual late night crate digging sessions on youtube, i found a video for bjork's song, "human behavior" and it was unlike anything i'd ever heard. the word, "groovy" came to mind. yes. "groovy." truthfully, the album as a whole this sensual production of electro beats and house grooves. yes. grooves. maybe, a little on the over-produced side, bjork's first album called "debut" is still a shock to my system. not because i like it. but because it's actually good.

 

for those who may not want to commit to listening to a whole album:

 

check out these songs from "debut"

 

human behavior

venus as a boy

one day

 

she may be a little eccentric. but the chick's got skills.

 

enjoy and tell me what you think.

 

jas