Lana Del Rey – ‘Paradise’: EP Review

Lana Del Rey’s debut project Born To Die set the music industry in a frenzy when it was released last January. After the controversy died down, the singer proved herself and made people want to hear more. On November 13, Paradise was released – an EP with nine new tracks. Born To Die focuses on the bravado rhythms and melodies, but Paradise finds the singer expanding on her lyricism – painting a delicate picture of a melancholic girl ready to break at any time.

The EP begins with “Ride” – a somber booming ballad that is perfect for a classic Americana soundtrack. At one point the singer shouts “I’m tired of feeling like I’m fucking crazy!”, a line that strikes a heartfelt chord that will be felt by many who are fighting with their selves. The cinematic song sets up the tone for the of the record.

“Cola (Pussy)” is the track everyone was dying to hear after the singer released the controversial teaser snippet. She sings about being the “other woman” – “I know your wife, but she wouldn’t mind.” Her breathy sex kitten voice gives nostalgic hints of a 2003 Britney Spears. The track plays up Del Rey’s suggestive Lolita person, that falsetto she hits towards the end of the song shows a more confident artist.

Following is the grandiose “Body Electric”. The singer usually has this killer track on her concert setlists, and now fans can finally hear the official version. The Walt Whitman-inspired track opens up with a bold revelation – “Elvis is my daddy, Marilyn’s my mother, Jesus is my bestest friend.” It is quite mesmerizing.

“Gods & Monsters” acts like a possible sequel to Born To Die’s “Dark Paradise”. The lyrics are downright sexy and straightforward: “Fuck yeah, give it to me. This is heaven.”

“Bel Air” is an Alice In Wonderland-esque trip. It serves as the eerie carousel in the background that never stops spinning. The song is trance-like finale to the end of the singer’s Born To Die chapter.

While it doesn’t have the grand caliber of its predecessor Born To Die, the EP creates its own musical path. Paradise serves as a lighter note to its more dark sister. But the Born To Die/Paradise saga isn’t fully complete; the EP lingers on even after the last track ends, leaving you eager to know what Lana Del Rey will think of next.

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

Songs on Repeat

“Cola (Pussy)”

“Body Electric”

“Gods & Monsters”

Song To Skip

“American”