<![CDATA[The Pegasus]]> <![CDATA[The Pegasus]]> /Portals/2/logos/__TFMF_xtoqro55clpfgcztzbualgmk_e249dc4d-25f3-4ff7-bb01-708429918718_0___Selected.jpg en-us Copyright 2008 - All Rights Reserved. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:06:47 GMT 15 <![CDATA[Lana Del Rey's 'Born to Die' sizzles, entices]]> By Garrett Mitchell

Interscope Records
Lana Del Rey's upcoming release, "Born to Die" hits shelves on January 31.

Lana Del Rey combines Nancy Sinatra’s cooing baby voice with a sultry demeanor in her debut album, “Born to Die.” To be released on January 31, “Born to Die” has been on the radar of many music critics and fans alike, citing Del Rey as a performer to watch in 2012. After gaining notoriety on YouTube for her music video, “Video Games,” Del Rey has earned a place as a new femme fatale in the pop music world. Her seductive whisper and dry tone while singing the line, “Heaven is a place on earth with you, tell me all the things you wanna do,” immediately grabs the listener’s attention. It then gently carries him through a comforting tale of appreciating a lover’s interests, no matter how inane they are. The signature track from the album is the title song, “Born to Die,” which is about Del Rey finding happiness in a newfound love. Her mournful tone contrasts to the wild and adventurous lyrics as she woefully moans and mumbles her story. Other standouts on the album include "Radio," "This is What Makes Us Girls," and "Dark Paradise," which seem to cover the same pseudo-melancholic mood that Del Rey delves into. Her voice in these songs sound so nonchalant, in contrast to some exertions of seemingly true emotion. One misstep on the LP is the song “Blue Jeans.” While it’s not horrendous, it certainly doesn't possess the same haunting charm that Del Rey’s other pieces contain. She’s still seductively whispering her lyrics, but it seems tired and forced at times. “I will love you until the end of time,” Del Rey gently murmurs in “Blue Jeans.” This line seems completely artificial as she repeats it throughout the chorus. Her charm is lost here. “Kinda Outta Luck” is one of Del Rey’s signature songs that actually wasn't included in this album. It's shocking to see it overlooked and replaced with a dull song like "Diet Mountain Dew." The song's lyrics seem as though she has taken notes watching Faye Dunaway’s performance in Bonnie and Clyde and describes the alluring brutality of the film. It is hard to classify Del Rey’s genre. She has the same soulful depth and grit as the late Amy Winehouse but also possesses Rihanna’s vixen persona. This mix of vintage glamour, brassy vocals, and provocative song lyrics cause Del Rey’s release to stand out in a sea of mediocrity and bland club beats. Despite her heavily criticized performance on Saturday Night Live, where she performed " Video Games" and "Blue Jeans," Del Rey's proven her talent in other live acts where she doesn't strain her voice. Overall, "Born to Die" is a flirty, dangerous, witty, and sometimes lethal compilation of Del Rey's work. In an interview for MTV UK , Del Rey described her album as “a dark love story seen through hopeful eyes.” It is just that, a tragically beautiful tale with glimmers of a brighter future. For now this vamp seems to be on the right track, speeding to the horizon in a cherry red Mustang. ]]> Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:42:31 GMT