When I first read that a girl named Lana Del Rey was earning rave reviews for a song called "Video Games," I expected said song to be both a lyrical and sonic throwback to the 1980s.
I didn't expect the song to sound like something Fiona Apple would write and release.
That's not a complaint, by the way. I quite like Lana's Marina and the Diamonds-esque delivery. I'm also fond of her tune's dirge-like quality.
All that said, I wouldn't mind hearing a blippy, chippy remix of "Video Games" that brings the song more in line with my early expectations.
Love it. But yeah, doesn't really have much to do with video games aside from the title.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen/heard "player 2 press start"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7u_YYlXY0mU
And his latest, "the world is saved".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBzqOa9y02I
Yeah, naming the song 'Video Games' seems a bit like a ploy for attention, although I'm not sure it attracts the folks her song should attract, TBH.
ReplyDeleteAs for those other songs you pointed out: I like them! 'Player 2 Press Start' especially :)
I was quite keen on her 'til I read how her entire gimmick is the product of a record company, agents and the usual ilk. She admits it freely. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing inherently wrong with the corporate appraoch I feel. I just find the presentation and marketing of her to be quite cynical given its origins. I'm still a fan, just a bit jaded.
ReplyDeleteAh, I hadn't heard that, Jyr. That's definitely a bit disappointing, if true -- although not completely unexpected these days. Still, she has an interesting voice. Maybe if she finds success with this single/album she'll become more comfortable with being herself and putting that out there for the world to see and hear.
ReplyDeleteThis song is totally going on my next 2 disc mix cd comp.
ReplyDeleteI really like her Dusty Springfield/Bobbie Gentry look, and I had not thought of "dirge-like" to describe the song but you are quite astute in that description. Having seen quite a few relationships (not my own) suffer from excessive gaming as opposed to cuddling, I was quite impressed with the approach of this song to such a modern problem.
It kinda sucks that this time around it's more of a product/corporate package, but she's got a lovely voice so hopefully we'll hear more from her quantitatively as well as artistically.
Hey there, Ash! Glad to hear you like this song, too :)
ReplyDeleteI love the comparison to Dusty, by the way -- hadn't thought of that! Also, yes, I like the modern approach of the song, too.
I wonder if she wrote it? If so, her corporate ties, etc., would worry me a lot less, as it shows there's more to her than a pretty face and voice.
Well, just did some research RE: "Video Games" -- Del Rey (stage name) is one of two people credited with writing the song. So, good for her! :)
ReplyDeleteThere's comparisons to be drawn between Amy Winehouse and Lana Del Rey, in a positive way. I mean, the both had relatively mediocre success before collaborating with big business and poppier artists to yield something special. In Winehouse's case, so successful to the point she dictated the direction of popular music for a decade.
ReplyDeleteJust to add to my previous post above, that a more big business approach doesn't necessarily impact an artist for the worse.
Mind, Del Rey's marketing was slightly more suspect, as she was packaged to be everyone's favourite underground artist, indeed, a living oxymoron. Thus, the process was slightly sinister in tone, getting company reps to blog her into relevance, to dripping her youtube clips in various popular chatrooms et al. If anything, it stands a prime example of the conglomerates learning how to finally manipulate the blogosphere into creating a star.
Oh, and for any of you feeling slightly for not getting enough video-game related pop-music awesomeness, 8 Bit Duane does the Mushroom Kingdom:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube/watch?v=lmwtykJj47Y
Hello again, Jyr! Wow, that's quite a story -- esp. the part about her company's reps blogging about her, posting youtube clips in popular chatrooms, etc. Although I guess it's to be expected "in this day and age," it's still disappointing. It'll certainly be interesting to see what happens to her career after all of this.
ReplyDeleteThis song is so pretty and sad. I love it.
ReplyDeleteBryan, have you heard of BrentalFloss? Look him up on YouTube for ANY of his "With Lyrics" videos. So great!
And for something sweet and cute, try this random video I found years ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDBpQVhCMb8
Hey there, Justin! Oh, yeah, I've definitely heard of BrentalFloss. I don't think I've heard any of this stuff in a while, though. I think the last thing I listened to (of his) had to do with Mega Man :)
ReplyDeleteOh, and I've listened to that Mario Kart Love Song before, too. Still, thanks for reminding me (and others) of it -- I haven't heard it in a looooooooong time!