Meet Lana Del Rey, a music icon also known as Elizabeth Woolridge Grant.
Born and raised in New York, she first dipped into the ocean of music at the tender age of 18.
Little did she know, she would become an influential artist of this generation.
She became known for a unique style. A fusion of the charm of old Hollywood with a hint of self-depreciating love and loss. Think about her breakthrough hit, ‘Video Games’!
It’s an intoxicating mix that keeps us coming back for more, right?
While her main craft is music, Lana Del Rey has also tried her hands at acting and even filmmaking. Talk about being multi-talented!
Now, coming back to music – What genre is Lana Del Rey? That’s what we’ll be exploring further in this blog post.
We’ll identify Lana Del Rey’s music genre and delve into the specifics of her albums. And, we’ll even get to some frequently asked questions about her. Ready?
What Is Lana Del Rey’s Music Genre?
Most fans will tell you Lana has her own kind of genre. Yet, we understand the need for some labeling into a type of music.
If push comes to shove, the short answer is indie-pop.
However, that doesn’t quite do justice to her eclectic style. It’s indie-pop layered with other influences.
The beauty is that her music touches art pop, dream pop, baroque pop, rock, trip-hop, and even shoegaze.
In an interview from 2012, Lana gave her music a unique label: “Hollywood Sadcore”. Quite a different term, right?
It offers a peek into the haunting melancholia and old Hollywood glamour that Lana captures.
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Her fans have come up with some funny descriptions themselves.
We have encountered phrases like “the music feels like a warm summer evening” or “Imagine Bruce Springsteen and Amy Winehouse meeting at a bar while Nina Simone plays in the background”.
But all fans agree on one thing. Each of her albums has its own unique genre.
Below, we’ll look more closely at each of her albums and their genres. Plus, we will answer some common questions about Lana. Let’s get started!”
Indie-pop, Art-pop, Dream-pop
What Is Lana Del Rey’s Musical Evolution Throughout Her Albums?
Lana Del Rey (2010)
‘Lana Del Rey,’ Lana’s debut album was released in 2010.
It zeroes in on pop music but also has elements of hip-hop, electronica, blues rock, and trap. You could say the album fits into the indie-pop genre.
This album witnesses Lana still exploring her sound and persona.
Most popular tracks:
- Kill Kill
- Queen Of The Gas Station
Born to Die (2012)
Moving on to her next album, ‘Born to Die’ released in 2012.
This album can be best summed up as alternative pop. But with a twist of classical influences, bringing in the feel of baroque pop.
It’s the same album Lana referred to as “Hollywood Sadcore”.
Listening to it might make you feel like you’re gazing out of a bus window on a rainy day, pretending to be in a sad scene.
Most popular tracks:
- Born To Die
- Summertime Sadness
Ultraviolence (2014)
In 2014, Lana Del Rey released ‘Ultraviolence’. The album blends dream pop, psychedelic rock and folk together.
The lyrics touch upon the darker side of fame. Themes of sadness, vulnerability, and violence are all explored in this album.
Most popular tracks:
- Cruel World
- Ultraviolence
Honeymoon (2015)
‘Honeymoon’, released in 2015, is a fan favorite.
It’s mostly dream pop but also has a cinematic feel. The album also features pop, jazz, and baroque pop styles.
‘Honeymoon’ has a lush and stylish sound that fans love.
Most popular tracks:
- Art Deco
- Honeymoon
Lust for Life (2017)
‘Lust for Life,’ which came out in 2017, is a pop album with strong influences from hip-hop and trap. It’s a more grown-up and edgier version of her debut album ‘Lana Del Rey’.
This album sparked different opinions among fans. The sound here veers away from her previous sound and music style.
Most popular tracks:
- Love
- 13 Beaches
Norman Fucking Rockwell! (2019)
2019 marked the arrival of ‘Norman Fucking Rockwell!’.
An album that merges soulful vocal performances with blues-rock melodies. This album attracts literature and poetry lovers alike.
Lana takes on a mature persona, impressing listeners with her songwriting skills.
Most popular tracks:
- Norman Fucking Rockwell
- Mariners Apartment Complex
Chemtrails over the Country Club (2021)
In her seventh album ‘Chemtrails Over the Country Club,’ released in 2021, Lana Del Rey continues her poetic style but with a focus on rhythm.
The music is pop but leans more towards a singer-songwriter style.
The album shows Lana’s ability to evolve and bring concept. You’ll find layers of sounds added as each track progresses.
Most popular tracks:
- White Dress
- Let Me Love You Like A Woman
Blue Banisters (2021)
In October 2021, Lana Del Rey dropped ‘Blue Banisters’.
This album carries forward a unique blend of art-pop. But also introduces a Americana twist, adding rich layers.
Her songwriting in ‘Blue Banisters’ is deeply personal. Touching on her own life experiences and stories making each song more intimate.
Most popular tracks:
- Text Book
- Wildflower Wildfire
Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd (2023)
Lana Del Rey released her ninth studio album, ‘Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd’ in March 2023.
The album features different genres. 70s piano pop, hip hop, dance, gospel, folk, trap, soul, and psychedelic music.
The album steps away from her typical storytelling, opting for a more conversational style. Lana named this new process “automatic singing”.
Most popular tracks:
- Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd
- A&W
What Are Frequently Asked Questions About Lana Del Rey?
What is Lana Del Rey’s most popular album?
Lana Del Rey’s most popular album is “Born To Die”, released in 2012. This album gained immense global popularity, making it one of her biggest commercial successes.
“Born to Die” includes several popular singles. “Video Games”, “Born to Die”, and “Summertime Sadness”.
These songs played a major role in the success of the album.
What is Lana Del Rey’s most popular song?
Lana Del Rey’s most popular song is arguably “Summertime Sadness.”
While it was a moderately successful single upon its release in 2012, it became a massive global hit in 2013.
What are similar artists to Lana Del Rey?
Artists similar to Lana Del Rey embody a dreamy aesthetic with cinematic soundscapes.
These include Lorde and Florence and the Machine. Recognized for their grand, ethereal, and emotion-driven music.
Another similar artist is Billie Eilish who also brings a moody, atmospheric sound to pop music.
Conclusion
“In the end, each of Lana Del Rey’s albums takes us on a unique journey.
Her music isn’t easy to box into one genre. From indie-pop to psychedelic rock, Lana’s songs reflect a range of influences.
Whether you’ve been a fan from her ‘Born To Die’ days, or recently discovered Lana. Her music is always evolving.