Music Review: Ultraviolence – Lana Del Rey

Music: Universal
Pop: Ultraviolence sees Lana (real name: Lizzie Grant) take a decidedly blusier turn as compared to the slight hip hop tinges of Born To Die.
Ride hints at more atmospheric sounds, while West Coast sounds like boom box 80s Dr Dre. National Anthem has influences of jazz, blues, and film noir. The vibe is still intimate and personal and the ethereal chorus of the standout Shades Of Blue itself makes this album worth the money.All the songs have expressive, deftly timed electric guitar solos that add to the emotional mood and import of a song rather than overpowering it. But then again, you wouldn’t be listening to Lana Del Rey for guitar shredding! He Hit Me (It Felt Like a Kiss) which was partly authored by legend Carole King (whose best album was Tapestry), is given an edgy twist, and has her express her lack of interest in feminism. The Other Woman is a song about a femme fatale, while Brooklyn Baby is a paean to that city. The acoustic guitar in Sad Girl blends nicely with the blues-rock feel of the track. The only downside is all the songs have the same, even-toned production and after several listens, it tends to get monotonous. Therefore, the album is best appreciated in parts rather than a beginning-to-end listening.