Franklin Dean
Lana Del Rey's 2015 album Honeymoon is a fusion of mellow and trippy jazz, cinematic scores, rock, hip-hop and pop. The title track is a dreamy, string-laden ode to an elusive, mysterious man. The song explores the darker side of love, including falling for the wrong person, staying in a destructive relationship, and resigning yourself to heartbreak. The album received positive reviews, with critics praising its timelessness and intrigue. Del Rey's distinctive vocals and the album's unique sound also received acclaim.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Lana Del Rey |
| Album | Honeymoon |
| Year of Release | 2015 |
| Record Label | Interscope and Polydor Records |
| Producers | Rick Nowels, Kieron Menzies, and Lana Del Rey |
| Genre | Baroque pop, Jazz, Cinematic scores, Rock, Hip-hop, and Pop |
| Themes | Tortured romance, resentment, lust, escapism, and violence |
| Tracklist | 14 songs |
| Notable Singles | "High by the Beach", "Terrence Loves You", "Music to Watch Boys To", "Honeymoon" |
| Critical Reception | Positive reviews, with praise for its timelessness, innovation, and cinematic quality |
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What You'll Learn
The song's dreamy, cinematic quality
The title track of Lana Del Rey's fourth album, Honeymoon, is a dreamy, cinematic masterpiece. The song Honeymoon exudes a surreal, auditory experience, with its dreamy string instrumentals and echoing vocals. The song paints a picture of a mysterious, elusive man, and the video snippets further enhance this intrigue with their hazy, narcotic aesthetic.
The song's instrumentation is a fusion of jazz, rock, hip-hop and pop, with sweeping strings and stuttering snares that float through the background. The song has a film noir quality, with a James Bond-esque vibe, particularly in the opening bars. This noir feel is something Del Rey herself commented on, stating that the album had a "more noirish feel" than her previous work. The song's lyrics also touch on themes of tortured romance and violence, which are ever-present in Del Rey's work and add to the cinematic experience.
The song has been described as "broody" and "melancholic" by critics, with its core appeal lying in Del Rey's distinctive voice. The song is also grand and ambitious, showcasing Del Rey's artistic innovation and original vision. The song's music video, filmed by Francesco Carrozzini, further adds to the cinematic quality of the song, although it was never officially released.
The album Honeymoon, with its title track of the same name, showcases Lana Del Rey's unique style and her ability to create a dreamy, cinematic experience through her music. The song Honeymoon, with its lush strings and gradual build of vocals, is a perfect example of this, taking the listener on a journey through its auditory and visual storytelling.
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The meaning of the lyrics
The title track of Honeymoon, Lana Del Rey's fourth studio album, explores the theme of loving an elusive, mysterious man. The lyrics of the song "Honeymoon" paint a picture of a relationship that is both passionate and tumultuous. The song begins with the singer acknowledging that it is "'not fashionable to love me" but expressing confidence that her partner will stay because there is "nobody for you but me". This dynamic is further emphasized in the chorus, with the repetition of "say you want me, too".
The song continues with the singer embracing the dark and light aspects of their relationship. She recognizes the "history of violence" surrounding her partner and the potential dangers associated with their connection, as highlighted in the line "there are guns that blaze around you". However, she remains unfazed and committed to their love, even referring to "roses in between my thighs". This juxtaposition of romance and danger creates a sense of intrigue and intensity within the lyrics.
The song also delves into a sense of escapism, with references to cruising down Wilshire Boulevard and Pico Boulevard in a "little bullet car". These lyrics evoke a feeling of freedom and a departure from the mundane, further enhancing the cinematic quality that Lana Del Rey is known for in her music. The imagery of violets and roses adds a romantic and dreamy tone to the song, contrasting with the darker themes of violence and heartbreak.
Throughout the song, Lana Del Rey's vocals are described as dreamy and backed by sweeping string instrumentals, creating a surreal and auditory scene. The song's instrumentation, including stuttering snares and luscious strings, contributes to its cinematic appeal. The song has been praised by critics for its broody and epic nature, showcasing Lana Del Rey's unique artistic vision.
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Critical reception
The title track "Honeymoon" from Lana Del Rey's fourth studio album of the same name was released as the second promotional single on September 7, 2015. The song received critical acclaim from various publications. NME called the track "cinematic" and "emotionally thrilling", describing it as "perhaps her most heart-stopping ballad yet". The Verge praised the "sweeping strings and stuttering snares" that "float through the background of the song", while also noting that "the core of its appeal is in her voice". TIME characterised the song as "characteristically broody" and "cinematic", suggesting it "leans closer to the sounds of her breakthrough LP Born to Die than the material she cooked up with the Black Keys' Dan Auderbach".
The album "Honeymoon" was released on September 18, 2015, and also received positive reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album scored 78/100 based on 31 reviews, indicating "generally favourable reviews". The Independent and The Guardian both gave the album four out of five stars. PopMatters also praised the album, stating that "Producing three major-label albums in four years has developed Lana Del Rey into an artistic". The album also achieved commercial success, topping the charts in Australia, Greece, and Ireland, and reaching the Top 5 in over 20 countries, including Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
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The album's commercial success
Honeymoon, the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter and producer Lana Del Rey, was released on September 18, 2015, by Interscope and Polydor Records. The album was produced by Del Rey, alongside Rick Nowels and Kieron Menzies, marking a return to the baroque pop style of her earlier albums Born to Die and Paradise.
Honeymoon received positive reviews from music critics, with several considering it Del Rey's best work at the time. The album appeared on the 2015 best albums lists of many publications, including The Independent, The Guardian, and PopMatters. The Independent's Andy Gill praised the album, noting Del Rey's "vocal delivery" and the "emotional impact" of the songs. The Guardian commented on the "timelessness" of the album, while PopMatters highlighted Del Rey's artistic innovation and original vision. The album also received positive reviews from Evening Standard, USA Today, and The Metropolist, with the latter two publications noting the evolution and maturation of Del Rey's sound.
Commercially, Honeymoon was a global success, topping the charts in Australia, Greece, and Ireland. The album reached the top 5 in over 20 countries, including Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, Honeymoon debuted at number two on the charts. The album was certified gold in the US for selling over 500,000 units. It also achieved gold certification in the United Kingdom and Australia, selling 50,000 copies in France.
Prior to the album's release, Del Rey created a separate Instagram account dedicated to Honeymoon, generating buzz and engaging her fans. She released the title track "Honeymoon" as a promotional single, along with other singles like ""Terrence Loves You," "High by the Beach," and "Music to Watch Boys To." The music video for "High by the Beach" debuted at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100. Del Rey also utilised print interviews, music videos, fan meets, and social media to promote the album, demonstrating her ability to connect with her audience and contribute to the commercial success of Honeymoon.
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Lana Del Rey's creative process
Del Rey's creative process for her album Honeymoon, specifically, involved a return to her roots. After the guitar-driven Ultraviolence, Honeymoon saw Del Rey revisit the baroque pop style of Born to Die and Paradise. This shift demonstrates her willingness to explore different musical directions and a certain fluidity in her creative process.
Del Rey's songwriting process is a collaborative effort. She has worked with various musicians and producers, such as Jack Antonoff and Rick Nowels, who co-wrote Honeymoon. Del Rey's process involves exploring chord progressions on the guitar, which she then brings to her collaborators for further development. This back-and-forth creative dialogue allows her to shape her sonic art form.
In an interview with Music Week, Del Rey revealed that she embeds self-reminders in her work, such as the chorus of "Dark But Just A Game" from her album Chemtrails. These reminders serve as personal affirmations and reflections of her inner core. Del Rey also shared that her creations manifest what's happening in her life, like standing still and figuring out her next move.
Del Rey's creative process also involves building intrigue and anticipation. For example, she teased Honeymoon with snippets of the title track on Instagram and her Honeymoon Hotline, which provided weekly updates and lectures chosen by her. This strategic rollout generated buzz and engaged her audience actively.
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