Lana Del Rey's Honeymoon: Album Review

After the release of Ultraviolence just last year, Lana Del Rey left her fandom immediately wanting more. Her dark but melodic tone displayed in many of the songs on the album haunted and healed fans and converted many to the Lana fandom. 

And here we are again being swayed and hypnotized by Lana's new album Honeymoon, released September 18th, 2015. The album is everything we expected from Lana and more. She explores a much deeper artistic side than what we previously have seen from earlier albums. While Honeymoon might not attract new fans who are accustomed to listening to mainstream hits by Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj, the abulm is a pleasant delight for Lana's current loyal fanbase.

1) The release of the mediocre title track left fans questioning whether the whole album would be as "bland" as the song Honeymoon. While the song may seem as if it lacks depth and a melodic tune, it is much more of a lyric driven song than a melody driven one-- as many of her songs are. This one just happens to be more extreme. Overall rating: 5

2) But fans became accustomed to the song just in time for the single High By The Beach to be released. While the tempo was more upbeat and more energetic, there was still a rather dazing affect to the lyrics and her voice. The sophisticated use of profanity was a classy and pleasant slap in the face-- Lana is one of the only artists who can curse and still appear classy. The song is accompanied by a mysterious video that left fans questioning and theorizing the symbolic meaning behind it. Many have concluded it is about Lana's desire to escape from paparazzi. Overall rating: 8

The rest of the album is typical Lana Del Rey (that is a good thing) with its hazy tunes, haunting melodies, and dark lyrics but still, the album is like a breath of fresh air for fans. 

3) Music To Watch Boys To is soft and dreamy, and like High By The Beach, it consists of a higher tempo than the majority of the songs on the album. Also, similar lyrics from the song Ultraviolence can by found in Music To Watch Boys To  as she refers to lemonade as "golden" or "gold." The song is a favorite among many and I find myself listening to it over and over again as it is somewhat hypnotizing and surreal. It is an overall brilliant song. Overall rating: 10 

4) Terrence Loves You is sorrowful and likely about a loss or break-up. It has a jazzy essence, however, and Lana chosses to associate the song with the color blue-- similar to Shades of Cool. The song also displays Lana's soprano side with mystical, high-pitched hums. The piano in the background completes the soulful ballad. Overall rating: 7

5) Lana states that the song God Knows I Tried is very close to her heart. We can see this is in the confessional and desperate lyrics of repetition. It is one of the slower songs of the album and it is very obvious the song was written from a low or dark place in Lana's life. Overall rating: 6

6) Freak displays a significant amount of poetic imagery as she paints a picture of the sights around her. The feel is very similar to West Coast from Lana's Ultraviolence album. The tempo is drousy and the melody is dazing, making the song another one of Lana's more hypnotizing works. Overall rating: 9

7) Art Deco, is fresh and swaying, being that it is a very original melody with a nostalgic feel. Perhaps because it gives similar vibes to her song West Coast, a rather chilly melody with warm lyrics. The vibrant hums and laid-back tune is the perfect escape from your surroundings as Lana takes you to a new world with Earthly lyrics. Overall rating: 9 

8) Burnt Norton gives a celestial feeling interlude in which Lana recites a TS Eliot's poetic message about time. Lana makes it clear that she is a skilled poetry reader in this track, a surprisingly hard task to master. The interlude is very much other-worldly sounding and a pleasant break of the album. Overall rating: 8

9) One could say the lyrics of Religion describe Lana's music as a whole. She is referring to the love of a man as her religion as in she worships him. Lana is known to show submission and dedication to certain men in her life if her lyrics hold true to her real life. The song offers a nice tune and would be a beautiful acoustic. Overall rating: 7

10) The Blackest Day is another break-up song. It is not a typical break-up song, however. Unlike typical popular break-up songs today, The Blackest Day is not about looking for revenge or belittling the ex-partner. This is perhaps why Lana Del Rey can get away with so many break-up/sad songs. It has a soulful blues feel to it... and it's catchy. The final 2 minutes of the song are breath-taking and it's no wonder why I can listen to this song all day on repeat and why it is a fan favorite. This song is best listened to via record. Overall rating: 10

11) 24 is a slower ballad which feels like it's from the vintage 40's. Most of Lana's music gives that vibe, but this one does especially. It gives a similar sound to the slow and sultry title track Honeymoon. It does not necessarily stand out compared to the other songs on the album, however, and I have to give this one a thumbs down. Overall rating: 4

12) When I first saw the title of the song Swan Song, I immediately thought of the band Within Temptation, whom the lead singer, Sharon, is actually friends with Lana. Within Temptation has a beautiful song written over ten years ago titled Swan Song. Because of this, I expected the song to have a similar sound to WT's, but it is completely different. While it does have a charming, well developed tune, it lacks depth, but nonetheless goes with the overall sound of the album. Overall rating: 6

13) Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood is a pleasant ending to the album. I believe it was placed at the end as a subtle hint that Lana does not want her previous songs to be interpreted in a negative manner. It is a short song with a classic Noir sound mixed with an 80's rock vibe. I'm the only person so far, however, who has described the song in this way. It is indeed a cover of Nina Simone's Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood from the 60's. Overall rating: 6

14) And finally we have come to Salvatore, which I saved for last because it is arguably the best track on the album, and arguably one of her top 5 best songs of all time. I am not being biased because I adore the song, however. After the release, fans have tweeted and posted about how beautiful Salvatore is. Its Italian theme, haunting but hypnotizing melody of a past time, and interesting but subjective lyrics together complete the song as perfection. Lana's speaking of Italian is pleasant to the ears and Salvatore is sang more like a beautiful lullaby than anything else. Overall rating: 10 

Lana Del Rey's album Honeymoon reminded fans of why they love and adore her. It is haunting, melodic, other-worldly, and dark-- the perfect combination of an A+ album. Congrats, Lana, you did it again and we all commend you for your beautiful creation. 

Now let's all have tangerine dreams.