4/5
Ocean Drive.
Seemingly sidelined by cancel culture for comments, Lizzy Grant AKA, Lana Del Rey has been quietly working away on her own great American songbook, from lockdown to a new normal. One where ever since 2019's 'The Greatest', 'Norman F###### Rockwell', the 'Born To Die' singer has become even more of an accomplished artist than she already was. Life ain't the same since the pandemic and it seems more like two weeks than two years since Del Ray slid down the sultry and smoky 'Blue Banisters'. That LP itself coming hot off the heels of 'Chemtrails Over The Country Club'. Her second album of that year.
Now with three albums over almost that many years that can match the holy trinity that followed 'BTD' in, 'Ultraviolence', 'Honeymoon' and a 'Lust For Life' (not forgetting Norman), this may well be the stage name self-titled debut star's new prime time as she searches for her story history like the legacy making lyrics of a Dylan, Springsteen, or of course a, "gangster Nancy Sinatra" with this bold and beautiful body of young work. The cinematic sound of the subtle screen siren and 'Young and Beautiful' ('The Great Gatsby') and 'Once Upon A Dream' ('Maleficent') singer is back with this ninth wonder of an album like a hip-hop producer and Duke professor. As are the once upon a time in movie making album names.
'Did You Know That There's A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd'? Well, if you don't know, now you know. Listening to the Chilli Peppers under the bridge and soulfully singing along to the new single 'The Grants' with Lizzy herself to open things up like paying a tunnel toll with the top down. There's no spare change or quarters with this dime dropping jewel case sound. Reminding you of the time albums where albums following 'Don't Call Me Baby', 'Charlie's Angels' co-signer Miley Cyrus' early album of the year contender ('Endless Summer Vacation') a fortnight back with what may be the most definitive of her own discography.
Classic like the black and white old portrait of album artwork with the tracks to match like when movies used to play all the credits in the opening. This is far from the end for a singer/songwriter who is on the form of her formidable, storytelling career as one of this generation's greats. Remember when she had to change the words on her signature hit to "kiss me hard in the pouring rain" so you could hear her on the radio? Well, did you know that's not a problem any more on 'Tunnel's vision and the title track that demands in desire, "open me up, tell me you like it/F### me to death, love me until I love myself?" Nothing this explicit has ever sounded this romantic since Murakami, blind Willow, sleeping woman.
Tower Records, Tokyo. Here in Japan, along with the release of Babymetal's new album, we're celebrating two releases from American artists on the same day. Lana and the emo era epic 'Fall Out Boy' ('So Much (For) Stardust'). And coincidentally they both have songs about 'Kintsugi' (F.O.B.'s 'The Kintsugi Kid (Ten Years)') on their sets too. The Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold to pay homage to the cracks. Honour what doesn't kill us making us stronger like Japanese G.O.A.T. Shohei Ohtani wearing the Czech Republic's cap out of respect, arriving in Miami for the World Baseball Classic (sportsmanship is beautiful).
"I've had to let it break a little more/'Cause they say that's what it's for/That's how the light gets in/That's how the light gets in." Say it again. In this world that wants to crucify you for mistakes made, or even the way you act, look and feel, all whilst parading it on social media for likes, be proud of where you come from and what you've overcome. Even when they think they know you or can manifest your narrative to their opinionated doing. These are things not to be shamed, but adorned like a badge of honour.
'Candy Necklace' is the latest 'Sweet' single you can wear around your neck with pride. Jack Antonoff mans the prolific production boards again. But everything, everywhere, all at once, this best picture features many supporting actors for Del Rey who recently burnt the 'Midnights' oil with Taylor Swift ('Snow On The Beach'). Oscar winner Jon Batiste and his Basquiat artists sound to this Warhol's pop art shows up on the aforementioned single and his own inspired interlude (Judah Smith has an important and informative one too). Whilst SYML stamp their passports in the 'Paris, Texas' standout for your movie moments. Riopy joins in on the epic and engrossing 'Grandfather Please Stand On The Shoulders Of My Father Whilst He's Deep-Sea Fishing'.
Rey reels in the Bleachers for 'Margaret' (inspired by 'Once Upon A Time...In Hollywood' actress Margaret Qualley. Antonoff's fiancé) and Tommy Genesis for the red-hot 'Peppers', doing the Angelina Jolie. But it's the continuing Kintsugi theme on 'Let The Light In' with Father John Misty that really resonates like the gig of a scene-setting night for this big score. "Put the Beatles on, light the candles, go back to bed/'Cause I wanna, wanna, wanna want you/I need to, need to, need to need you/Put the TV on, the flowers in a vase, lie your head." And leave your porch light for the one who always comes back. Moth to a flame.
World-building in a Rockwell way, 'Tunnel Under Ocean BLVD' features big numbers that segue into interludes that serve as songs like a Ginuwine 'Bachelor'. Tracks that feel as big as trilogies themselves (the standout 'A&W' single for you Abercrombie Americans in your apparel) and even a sample of her own sound ('Venice Bitch') on the closer 'Taco Truck x VB' after another classic cut that 'Fishtails' through all this outstanding ocean of talent like South Beach to California, to be frank. Del Rey is still a pop queen in her own time like a prayer. No matter what the people say. Remember they came and still do for Madonna, like a virgin.
Touch upon the "innermost thoughts" of this amazing artist who was originally going to appear on this album cover naked and reveal all that "let(s) the music do the talking." Just like an 'Interview' with the greatest in the game Billie Eilish (certainly taking cues from Lana's legacy) for said Andy Warhol crafted magazine. Or just let the 'Fingertips' touch and tell you over ten epic verses. "Let it crash over me/Like the waves in the sea/Call me Aphrodite, as they bow down to me/Sunbather, moon chaser, queen of empathy/I give myself two seconds to breathe/And go back to being a serene queen/I just needed two seconds to be me." You got it. This is a boulevard of no more broken dreams. Know this. The light at the end of the tunnel has more depth. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Playlist Picks: 'A&W', 'Kintsugi', 'Paris, Texas (Feat. SYML)'.
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