Lana Del Rey continues leaning into the cottagecore aesthetic in the title track to “Blue Banisters,” which hints at her decadent past style as it settles into a spare, mature vibe.
This follows up the release of “Arcadia,” which has not one, but two videos. Via Pitchfork:
When Lana released the piano ballad “Arcadia” this summer, she instructed her fans, “Listen to it like you listened to ‘Video Games.’” On one hand, she might have been trying to game the system, encouraging listeners to boost the streaming numbers to match those of her past work. (Born to Die remains her only album to spawn a Top 10 hit.) But maybe she was asking for something more personal. After all, her debut single was likely the last time that Lana could release music to zero expectations, introducing herself to the world on her own terms. Like a lot of people who feel misunderstood, she is a chronic over-explainer, and Blue Banisters sprawls and elaborates past the point where we can place our own projections onto it. We know too much. But at its best, this music offers an even more rewarding thrill: It manages to entertain, enrapture, and even surprise because of how well we know Lana Del Rey—and how much there is still to learn.
As evidence that she had big dreams for the single, she even treated fans to an alternate video in the same aesthetic.
Though it does not have a video released, “Black Bathing Suit” is emerging as a fan and critical favorite on the new album.
Image: YouTube / Lana Del Rey
