Rhiannon Hendricks
Lana Del Rey's fourth studio album, Honeymoon, was released on September 18, 2015, by Interscope and Polydor Records. The album touches on themes of tortured romance, bitterness, lust, escapism, and violence. Honeymoon is a dark work, even darker than Ultraviolence, and the gloom does not lift for its 60-plus minutes. The album's title track, a baroque pop and blue-eyed soul song, sets the tone for the rest of the album, with sweeping strings and stuttering snares that float through the background of the song. Lana Del Rey described the song as encapsulating all of the things that come naturally to her.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Lana Del Rey |
| Album Number | Third |
| Album Type | Studio |
| Genre | Baroque pop, blue-eyed soul, Southern California Gothic |
| Themes | Love, addiction, tortured romance, bitterness, lust, escapism, violence, eroticism, drugs, mythology, "the American soul" |
| Mood | Melancholy, dark, dreamy, slow, lonely |
| Commercial Performance | Gold in the US, Silver in the UK, No.1 in Australia, No.2 on US Billboard 200 |
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What You'll Learn
The album's themes of tortured romance, resentment, lust, escapism, and violence
Lana Del Rey's Honeymoon is an album that explores the complexities of human emotions and experiences, with a particular focus on the themes of tortured romance, resentment, lust, escapism, and violence.
Tortured romance is a central theme in Honeymoon, with Del Rey's songs delving into the dark side of love and desire. Her lyrics paint a picture of romance as an addiction, sought to escape the miseries of life. This is evident in the title track, where she croons about wanting to be with her lover, despite the potential consequences. The song "Music to Watch Boys To" also explores this theme, with its description of a "creepy, destructive romance".
Resentment and bitterness are also woven into the album's narrative. Del Rey's songs express a sense of disappointment and frustration, particularly in tracks like "High by the Beach," where she seems beyond longing, and "Freak," where she invites listeners to "Come to California and be a freak like me too." These songs suggest a desire to break free from societal expectations and the constraints of fame.
Lust and eroticism are also present in Honeymoon. The song "Freak" is a soprano ballad that explores desire and physical attraction. Additionally, "Music to Watch Boys To" has been described as having a "narcotic haze," creating a sultry atmosphere.
Escapism is another prominent theme in Honeymoon. Del Rey's songs often allude to a desire to escape the pressures and expectations of her life and career. In "Swan Song," she considers retirement and leaving the public eye, while "High by the Beach" expresses her desire to escape the media and paparazzi. The imagery surrounding the album also reinforces this theme, with Del Rey often depicted as solitary and lonely, seeking peace and solitude.
Finally, violence is a recurring motif in Honeymoon, both lyrically and metaphorically. The album's dark and morose tone hints at emotional turmoil and internal struggles, with references to destruction and apocalypse. While the violence is often subtle, it adds to the overall sense of despair and longing that permeates the album.
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The influence of Hollywood and jazz
Lana Del Rey's Honeymoon is a dark and dreamy album that explores themes of tortured romance, bitterness, lust, escapism, and violence. The album has been described as Southern California Gothic, with references to Hollywood and jazz woven throughout its lyrics and imagery.
The influence of Hollywood is evident in the album's cinematic quality and references to old Hollywood film scores. Del Rey's music has been described as cavernous, with cinematic strings and orchestral grandeur that evoke the sentimentality and drama of classic films. The album's imagery also reflects Hollywood, with Del Rey taking a solitary Hollywood stars tour and standing alone, her hair blowing in the wind.
Jazz influences are also present in Honeymoon, particularly in the album's jazzy, languorous croons and molasses-like arrangements. Del Rey's vocals have been described as languid and sleepy, with a nostalgic quality that harkens back to the jazz of the past. The album's final track, a jazz cover, is a perfect example of this influence. Additionally, the song “Terrence Loves You" is inspired by a musically historical event involving jazz music.
Honeymoon's exploration of dreams and reality further showcases the influence of Hollywood and jazz. The album luxuriates in the space between dream and reality, with Del Rey obsessing over and trying to defy the finitude of bliss. This blurring of dreams and reality is reminiscent of the fantasy and escapism often associated with Hollywood and jazz.
Overall, Honeymoon's Hollywood and jazz influences contribute to its unique sound and atmosphere, creating a cohesive and artistic work that showcases Del Rey's evolution as an artist.
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The American soul, mythology, and eroticism
Lana Del Rey's Honeymoon is a dark and melancholy album that explores the American soul, mythology, and eroticism through a Southern California Gothic lens. The album delves into the tortured romance, bitterness, lust, escapism, and violence that characterise Del Rey's unique brand of pop artistry.
The American soul is a central theme in Honeymoon, with Del Rey's lyrics and musical style drawing on classic American influences. The album's title track, with its sweeping strings and cinematic sound, sets the tone for the exploration of American mythology and the American dream. Del Rey's lyrics often refer to iconic American images and themes, such as Hollywood, jazz, and the West Coast. The song Freak beckons listeners to "Come to California and be a freak like me too", invoking the allure and mythology of the West Coast.
Honeymoon also engages with the concept of the American dream and the darker side of American culture. Del Rey's lyrics touch on the transactional nature of relationships, the toxicity of Hollywood, and the emptiness of fame, all of which speak to a critique of the American dream and its potential to turn sour. The song "Swan Song" explores the idea of retirement and escape, with Del Rey pleading for her lover to leave the workforce and escape with her, a theme that runs throughout the album.
Eroticism is also a key element of Honeymoon, with Del Rey's sultry vocals and sensual imagery. The song "Music to Watch Boys To" is described as having a "narcotic haze", with "crawling" beats that create a "sultry backdrop" for Del Rey's breathy vocals. The entire album luxuriates in a space between dream and reality, with Del Rey's longing and mournful take on love and romance adding to the eroticism of the album.
Honeymoon, as an album, is a complex and artistic expression of Lana Del Rey's unique perspective on the American soul, mythology, and eroticism. Through her music, she weaves a tale of tortured romance, escapism, and the darker side of the American dream, all set against the backdrop of Southern California Gothic.
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The sound of the album and its critical reception
The sound of Lana Del Rey's Honeymoon album has been described as "dark", "broody", "cinematic", and "jazzy". The album is said to have a "languorous" and "lonelier" feel, with Del Rey's "croons" over "molasses-like arrangements" creating a sense of slow-moving time. The album's sound has been compared to that of Southern California Gothic albums such as "Celebrity Skin", "Hotel California", and "The Hissing of Summer Lawns". It has also been described as having a "narcotic haze" and featuring a mix of synth orchestrations, flute-like sounds, and "crawling" beats.
Honeymoon is Del Rey's fourth studio album and was released on September 18, 2015, by Interscope and Polydor Records. The album was produced by Del Rey herself, along with longtime collaborators Rick Nowels and Kieron Menzies. It marked a return to the baroque pop sound of her earlier albums, Born to Die and Paradise, with a focus on cinematic strings and a reduction in guitar-driven instrumentation. The album's title track, "Honeymoon", was released on July 14, 2015, along with a music video and artwork.
Honeymoon received positive reviews from music critics, with many praising its dark and dreamy atmosphere. Jessica Hopper of Pitchfork called it Del Rey's "most artistic" work, and Rolling Stone described it as "her most genuinely thrilling music ever." The Daily Telegraph awarded the album four out of five stars, praising the melodies and arrangements, while USA Today noted the evolution and maturation of Del Rey's sound. The album also performed well commercially, topping the charts in Australia, Greece, and Ireland, and reaching the top 5 in over 20 countries.
The album's lyrics touch on themes of tortured romance, resentment, lust, escapism, and violence. Del Rey's desire to escape the trappings of fame and the media is also a recurring theme. The song "Swan Song" explores the idea of retirement and leaving the workforce, with Del Rey pleading for her listener/lover to join her in a life of leisure and peace. The imagery surrounding the album often centres on lonely vacationing, with Del Rey taking solitary Hollywood star tours or standing alone, hair blowing in the wind.
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The album's commercial performance and singles
Honeymoon by Lana Del Rey was a commercial success, topping the charts in Australia, Greece, and Ireland. The album also reached the top 5 in over 20 countries, including Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In its first week, Honeymoon sold 116,000 units, with 105,000 being pure album sales. The album was certified gold in the US for selling over 500,000 units. It also achieved gold certification in the UK and sold 50,000 copies in France.
The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 and dropped to number 15 the following week. It was Del Rey's third consecutive number-one album in Australia, following her previous albums "'Born to Die' and "
The album's lead single, "High by the Beach", was released on August 10, 2015, and peaked at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single was praised by critics, who noted its fresh sound for Del Rey. The song's music video reflected the theme of paranoia and the desire to escape the paparazzi, a theme that is also present in another track on the album called "13 Beaches". "High by the Beach" was leaked on YouTube three days before its official release.
Another single, "Music to Watch Boys To", was released on September 11, 2015, and premiered on Apple Music's Beats Radio 1 station two days before its official release. Del Rey also released promotional singles, including "Terrence Loves You" and the title track "Honeymoon", which was described as "where the record begins and ends". "Terrence Loves You" was also made available through the Honeymoon Hotline, a hotline that provided weekly updates on the album and played tracks upon connection.
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Frequently asked questions
Honeymoon is Lana Del Rey's fourth studio album, released in 2015. The album touches on themes of tortured romance, bitterness, lust, escapism, violence, eroticism, drugs, mythology, and "the American soul".
The concept of Honeymoon revolves around the title itself. Del Rey obsesses over, and tries to defy, the finitude of bliss. The album explores the space between dream and reality, with Del Rey longing for a dreamland of bliss after heartbreak.
Honeymoon is a dark work, featuring cinematic orchestration, with Del Rey's languorous croons over molasses-like arrangements. The album has been described as Southern California Gothic, with a languor [that] takes our attention for granted.
Notable songs on the Honeymoon album include "High by the Beach", "Music to Watch Boys To", "Terrence Loves You", "Swan Song", and the title track, "Honeymoon".
