Ever since the New-Yorker landed her first
record deal six years ago, Lana Del Ray
has gone from strength to strength. Her debut single ‘Videogames’ went viral on YouTube
in August 2011 with over 20 million
views and her second album ‘Born To Die’ sold
over 3.6 million copies. She’s endorsed and modelled a clothing line for H&M and has won dozens of awards
including the Q Award for Best New
Thing, a GQ’s Woman of the Year award
and a BRIT award for International
Pop Female Solo Artist.
Del
Ray is noted for her alternative, cinematic style which entwines perfectly
with the unique flair of world-renowned director Baz Luhrmann. His latest film ‘The
Great Gatsby’ is due for UK release on 10th May, with the
soundtrack, featuring Lana Del Ray’s
sultry track ‘Young and Beautiful’ becoming
available on 7th May. The compilation features the likes of Amy Winehouse, Jack White and Jay-Z, who also produced it as well as
the film.
‘Young and Beautiful’ is a wonderful
example of soundtracks doing exactly what they’re supposed to; either enhancing
what audience’s see on screen or painting a picture in the mind of a listener
and forming a strong emotion. Del Ray’s
distinctive voice is simply captivating, and the perfect instrument for cinema.
Her matchless dark undertones come shining through her lyrics, reflecting the
personal traces in the song, “Will you still love me when I’m no longer young
and beautiful?”
Although it’s a little repetitive, the
track is nothing short of striking and the repetition only enhances and
emphasises the instrumentation and lyrical content. It’s almost as if Lana Del Ray uses her music as an
outlet for her heartache and anxieties, which makes it all the more powerful to
experience. For instance, the timid, intricate tones of her voice as she sings
“I know you will.” Seem as if she’s attempting to convince and reassure herself
that her relationship will last.
The instrumentation of ‘Young and Beautiful’ is so simplistic, consisting mainly of a
piano, violins and melodramatic drumming that it does not override Del Ray’s gentle , echoing voice. In
terms of style, it’s rather similar to the more heartfelt tracks of ‘Moulin Rouge’, another Luhrmann
classic, such as ‘Come What May’ and ‘Nature Boy’ ; eerie, poignant and very
emotive.
The song is fundamentally about utter
adoration, trust and almost obsession in a relationship and really strikes a
chord by addressing society’s apparent fascination with physical beauty. But
it’s also well-produced, poetic and showcases Lana Del Ray’s smoky vocals incredibly.
5/5
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