Lana Del Rey (EP)

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Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey - Lana Del Rey - EP.png
EP by
ReleasedJanuary 10, 2012 (2012-01-10)
Length17:57
Label
Producer
Lana Del Rey chronology
Lana Del Ray
(2010)
Lana Del Rey
(2012)
Born to Die
(2012)

Lana Del Rey is the second extended play by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey. It was released on January 10, 2012, in the United States and Canada through Interscope Records. After the release of the EP Kill Kill (2008) and her debut studio album Lana Del Ray (2010) via 5 Points Records, an independent label, the EP was released in anticipation of Del Rey's major-label debut album Born to Die (2012). The tracks are influenced by several genres, including indie pop, hip hop, and alternative music. The lyrics and melody were written primarily by Del Rey, Justin Parker and Emile Haynie. Production of the album was led by Emile Haynie, who also co-wrote "Blue Jeans". The EP is Del Rey's second eponymous record after Lana Del Ray (2010).

Contents

Music videos accompanied each single, which were produced by Del Rey herself and uploaded to YouTube. Although the video for "Video Games" that Del Rey filmed with her webcam was not intended as a single at the time, it garnered enough online buzz to be noticed by Stranger Records, leading to Del Rey signing a joint record deal with Interscope and Polydor Records. [1]

Selling over 24,000 copies in the United States, the EP peaked at number 20 on the US Billboard 200, reaching number six on both the Billboard Rock Albums and Alternative Albums charts. All four songs on the EP were released as singles on Born to Die, with three charting internationally.

Music and lyrics

Del Rey used lower vocals on the EP, claiming "people weren't taking me very seriously, so I lowered my voice, believing that it would help me stand out. Now I sing quite low... well, for a female anyway." [2] The singer's first singles, "Video Games" and "Born to Die" were described variously as "quasi-cabaret balladry", [4] "woozy and sometimes soporific soundtrack soul", [5] "pop", [6] and "indie pop". [7]

The third track, "Blue Jeans", was influenced by hip hop and has a minimalist beat that recalls songs by Timbaland. [3] "Off to the Races" has been lyrically described as "a freak show of inappropriate co-dependency", [8] with a chorus that recalls Sheryl Crow's "down and out drunken loner persona" in her 1994 single "Leaving Las Vegas". [8] Pryia Elan of NME noted the track "almost falls under the weight of this persona. There's none of 'Video Games'' measured, piano-led reflection. Instead the psychosexual rumblings of the lyrics and the dual voices she uses off set the comparatively simple musical shades on display." [8]

Critical reception

John Bush of AllMusic considered the singer a femme fatale "with a smoky voice, a languorous image, and a modeling contract". [9] However, Bush rated the EP 2.5 stars out of five, considering it only "as a teaser from the album". [9]

Commercial performance

The EP entered the Billboard 200 on the chart issue of January 21, 2012, at number 20, after selling 14,000 digital copies. [10] As of February 1, 2012, it has sold 24,000 digital copies in the United States. [10]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Video Games"
Robopop 4:03
2."Born to Die"
  • Del Rey
  • Parker
Emile Haynie 4:45
3."Blue Jeans"
  • Del Rey
  • Haynie
  • Dan Heath
Haynie3:30
4."Off to the Races"
  • Del Rey
  • Tim Larcombe
  • Patrik Berger
  • Haynie
5:01
Total length:17:19

Charts

Chart performance for Lana Del Rey
Chart (2012–2014)Peak
position
Canadian Albums (Billboard) [11] 18
US Billboard 200 [12] 20
US Digital Albums (Billboard) [13] 7
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) [14] 6
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard) [15] 6

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
CanadaJanuary 10, 2012 Digital download Universal Music [16]
United States
[17]

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lana Del Rey</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1985)

Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, known professionally as Lana Del Rey, is an American singer and songwriter. Her music is noted for its cinematic quality and exploration of tragic romance, glamour, and melancholia, with frequent references to contemporary pop culture and 1950s–1970s Americana. Her vintage Hollywood glamour aesthetic is showcased in her music videos. She is the recipient of various accolades, including an MTV Video Music Award, three MTV Europe Music Awards, two Brit Awards, two Billboard Women in Music, and a Satellite Award, in addition to nominations for eleven Grammy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. Variety honored her at their Hitmakers Awards for being "one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the 21st century". Rolling Stone placed Del Rey on their list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time (2023), and Rolling Stone UK named her The Greatest American Songwriter of the 21st century (2023).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Video Games (Lana Del Rey song)</span> 2011 single by Lana Del Rey

"Video Games" is the debut single by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey for her second studio album and major label debut, Born to Die (2012). The song was produced by Robopop, while the lyrics were written by Del Rey and Justin Parker. It was first released to the Internet on May 5, 2011, and was later released on her extended play, Lana Del Rey. The song was re-released as the lead single from her second studio album, Born to Die, on October 7, 2011, through Interscope Records. "Video Games" is a baroque pop, dream pop, and downtempo ballad where the protagonist who, despite being ignored by her significant other, resolves to love him regardless.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Born to Die (song)</span> 2011 single by Lana Del Rey

"Born to Die" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey, taken from her debut major-label and second studio album of the same name. The song was released as the singer's second single on December 30, 2011, through Interscope Records. Musically, "Born to Die" is a pop and trip hop ballad that speaks of a doomed relationship. Critics noted that it features apocalyptic lyrics and strings similar to John Barry compositions. It received a mixed to positive reception from contemporary critics, who praised the song's cinematic arrangement and haunting vocal performance by Del Rey. In 2019, Billboard included the song as one of the 100 songs that defined the 2010s, adding that it influenced "a sonic shift that completely changed the pop landscape". In the United Kingdom, "Born to Die" became Del Rey's second top 10 single, when it peaked at No. 9 for the week ending February 4, 2012.

<i>Born to Die</i> 2012 studio album by Lana Del Rey

Born to Die is the second and debut major-label studio album by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey. It was released on January 27, 2012, through Interscope Records and Polydor Records. A reissue of the album, subtitled The Paradise Edition, was released on November 9, 2012. The new material from the reissue was also made available on a separate EP titled Paradise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lana Del Rey discography</span>

American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey has released nine studio albums, three extended plays, 38 singles, 18 promotional singles, and one box set. She also has one leaked demo album, which was not released officially. According to Universal Music Group (UMG), Del Rey has sold over 41 million albums worldwide and has garnered over 58 billion streams worldwide. In the United States, Del Rey has sold over 48 million certified singles according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Billboard ranked her as the 37th Top Rock Artist of the 2010s. Del Rey has also sold 7.1 million singles units, and 4 million albums in United Kingdom.

Emile Haynie, often credited simply as Emile, is an American record producer. Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, his range of production includes alternative rock, hip hop, indie and pop music. Haynie has worked with several prominent artists in the music industry including Kanye West, Kid Cudi, Eminem, Lana Del Rey, Bruno Mars, Linkin Park, FKA Twigs, Florence Welch and Camila Cabello, among others. Additionally, Haynie received two Grammy Awards for his work with English singer Adele, namely Album of the Year for the diamond certified 25 as well as Record of the Year for "Hello".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue Jeans (Lana Del Rey song)</span> 2012 single by Lana Del Rey

"Blue Jeans" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey and the third single from her second studio album, Born to Die (2012). Interscope Records released the track to Italian radios on March 30, 2012. Del Rey wrote it with Dan Heath and producer Emile Haynie. The song combines sadcore, trip hop, and gothic pop over a balladic production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summertime Sadness</span> 2012 single by Lana Del Rey

"Summertime Sadness" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey from her second studio album, Born to Die (2012). The pop ballad was released on June 22, 2012, by Interscope Records as the fourth single of the album. In the spring of 2013, "Summertime Sadness" reached number one in Poland, Ukraine and Armenia. Charting across Europe, the single reached the top 10 in Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. Trap and house remixes of "Summertime Sadness" helped Del Rey break into the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart. That chart is where Del Rey's song became a modest hit and marked her first foray into the chart. On the accompanied Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart, the single gave Del Rey her first US number-one single in August 2013. In September 2021, the song was ranked number 456 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Anthem (Lana Del Rey song)</span> 2012 single by Lana Del Rey

"National Anthem" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey for her second studio album, Born to Die (2012). It was released as a single on June 15, 2012, through Interscope Records as the album's fourth single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Off to the Races (song)</span> 2011 promotional single by Lana Del Rey

"Off to the Races" is a song by American singer and songwriter Lana Del Rey. First appearing on her self-titled Interscope debut, the song was re-released on her second studio album, Born to Die (2012). The song was written by Del Rey and Tim Larcombe. Emile Haynie and Patrik Berger paired up for the song's production. It was released in the UK as iTunes Single of the Week on December 20, 2011. In the Netherlands, "Off to the Races" was released as a digital single on January 6, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dark Paradise</span> 2013 single by Lana Del Rey

"Dark Paradise" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey for her second studio album, Born to Die (2012). It was written by Lana Del Rey and Rick Nowels, while production was handled by Emile Haynie. Nowels and Devrim Karaoglu produced the radio mix of the song. The song was released on March 1, 2013, by Universal and Vertigo Records, as the sixth and final single from Born to Die.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ride (Lana Del Rey song)</span> 2012 single by Lana Del Rey

"Ride" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey from her third extended play (EP), Paradise (2012). The song was written by Lana Del Rey and Justin Parker, while produced by Rick Rubin, the song served as the reissue's first single on September 25, 2012 through Interscope Records. "Ride" is a soulful ballad that thematically involves parental problems, alcohol consumption, and loneliness. The cover for the song depicts Del Rey on a tire swing, wearing cowboy boots and a denim jacket.

<i>Paradise</i> (Lana Del Rey EP) 2012 Album by Lana Del Rey

Paradise is the third extended play (EP) by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey. It was released on November 9, 2012, in Australasia and November 11, 2012, worldwide by Polydor & Interscope. It was additionally packaged with the reissue of her major-label debut studio album, Born to Die (2012), titled Born to Die: The Paradise Edition. Grant enlisted collaborators including producers Rick Nowels, Justin Parker and Rick Rubin. The EP's sound has been described as baroque pop and trip hop.

"Gods & Monsters" is a song by American singer and songwriter Lana Del Rey from her third extended play Paradise and the reissue of her second album Born to Die, Born to Die: The Paradise Edition. "Gods & Monsters" was released on November 9, 2012, with the rest of the Paradise EP.

<i>Born to Die: The Paradise Edition</i> 2012 studio album (reissue) by Lana Del Rey

Born to Die: The Paradise Edition is the reissue of American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey's major-label debut studio album Born to Die (2012). It was released on November 9, 2012, by Interscope and Polydor Records. Released ten months after the original, The Paradise Edition features eight newly recorded tracks, which were simultaneously made available on the standalone extended play Paradise (2012). Although having worked with several producers for each record, Emile Haynie and Rick Nowels are the only producers whose contributions are featured on both discs.

<i>We Fall</i> 2015 studio album by Emile Haynie

We Fall is the debut studio album by American music producer Emile Haynie, released on February 24, 2015, by Interscope Records. The album features guest appearances from Andrew Wyatt, Brian Wilson, Rufus Wainwright, Lana Del Rey, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Sampha, Dev Hynes, Nate Ruess, Colin Blunstone, Lykke Li, Romy Madley Croft, Randy Newman, Father John Misty, Thomas Bartlett a.k.a. Doveman and Julia Holter.

<i>Lust for Life</i> (Lana Del Rey album) 2017 studio album by Lana Del Rey

Lust for Life is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey, released on July 21, 2017, through Polydor and Interscope Records worldwide and Urban Records in Germany. Marking a return to the "hip-hop inspired" sound of her major-label debut, Lust for Life features production from past collaborators Rick Nowels, Kieron Menzies and Emile Haynie, while also working for the first time with producers Boi-1da, Max Martin, Benny Blanco and Metro Boomin. It also features guest appearances from The Weeknd, ASAP Rocky, Stevie Nicks, Sean Lennon, and Playboi Carti. The album and its title were announced on March 29, 2017, through a trailer on Del Rey's official Vevo channel on YouTube.

"Wait for Life" is a song produced by American musician Emile Haynie featuring vocals from American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey. The pair wrote the song together alongside American pianist Thomas Bartlett. The song was released as a single to promote Haynie's debut album, We Fall, on January 29, 2015. Following the release of Del Rey's 2023 album Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, from which the track "Sweet" interpolates a melody from "Wait for Life," the song was removed from Spotify. It was restored five days later.

References

  1. "Eight Reasons Why Lana Del Rey Blew Up". November 4, 2011. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  2. 1 2 Copsey, Robert (November 23, 2011). "Lana Del Rey: 'People didn't take me seriously with a high voice'". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  3. 1 2 Ryan, Damien (September 14, 2011). "Track Review: Lana Del Rey – Blue Jeans". So So Gay. Archived from the original on January 3, 2012. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  4. Perpetua, Matthew (December 19, 2011). "Lana Del Rey to Appear on 'Saturday Night Live'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  5. Caramanica, Jon (December 11, 2011). "Finally Taking the Stage, Direct From the Internet". The New York Times . Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  6. Ritchie, Kevin. "Charisma, sensuous sounds and a viral video make the New York singer songwriter 2011's hottest rising star". Now . NOW Communications. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  7. "Lana Del Rey enters Last.fm singles chart with "Video Games"". Yahoo!. December 27, 2011. Archived from the original on May 29, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  8. 1 2 3 Elan, Pryia (December 21, 2011). "Lana Del Rey, 'Off to the Races'". NME . Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  9. 1 2 Bush, John (January 10, 2012). "Lana Del Rey EP". AllMusic. All Media Network . Retrieved February 11, 2012.
  10. 1 2 Caulfield, Keith (February 1, 2012). "Lana Del Rey Aiming for No. 2 Debut on Billboard 200 Album Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
  11. "Lana Del Rey Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  12. "Lana Del Rey Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  13. "Lana Del Rey Chart History (Digital Albums)".[ dead link ] Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  14. "Lana Del Rey Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  15. "Lana Del Rey Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  16. "Lana Del Rey EP : Awards". AllMusic . Rovi Corporation . Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  17. "Lana Del Rey Releases - Lana Del Rey EP". Interscope Records.com. Interscope Records . Retrieved September 10, 2012.