“Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd” - Lana Del Rey Album Review
The Queen is back.
Lana Del Rey released her ninth studio album, “Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd” on March 24 after an original delay.
The album includes three singles: the titular single “Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd,” “A&W” and “The Grants.”
It has different styles of tracks, including pop, trap, gospel and folk.
Once again, Jack Antonoff has produced an epic classic. This is probably Del Rey’s most personal album to date, with tracks like “The Grants” and “Sweet.”
Of course, that doesn’t mean Del Rey doesn’t throw in her coquette-Los Angeles aesthetic with tracks like “A&W,” “Peppers” and “Taco Truck x VB,” which samples “Venice B*tch” from her album “Norman F***ing Rockwell” and lyrics from “National Anthem.”
Additionally, songs like “Peppers” and “Fishtail” combine different elements to contribute to the lyrical masterpiece.
Some tracks reflect her inner-most string of thoughts, including “Grandfather please stand on the shoulders of my father while he’s deep-sea fishing” and “Kintsugi.”
Additionally, there’s another unconscious stream, this time by an interlude by a preacher, Judah Smith (the track fittingly named “Judah Smith Interlude”).
While interludes are skips on many albums, this one captures the light of love and lust that Del Rey goes for every time on her projects. While Smith is certainly a controversial figure, Del Rey had to include it for the album’s religious undertones.
Del Rey and Antonoff collaborated on the 13th track, “Margaret,” which is loosely based on Antonoff’s relationship with his fiancé, Margaret Qualley. The track has reminisces of past songs like “Chemtrails Over The Country Club” and “Lolita,” and Antonoff’s voice blends perfectly with Del Rey’s.
Del Rey has been one of the most consistent artists of this generation, putting out a new project every year or two. Most importantly, her projects seem to get better as they go on and are critically acclaimed.
Lana Del Rey is an artist whose work truly never sounds the same, and the tracks on the album bounce all over the place for the fully-immersive Elizabeth Grant experience.
While “Born To Die” and “Ultraviolence” remain cult classics, “Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd” is sure to make its way into the hearts of Del Rey fans worldwide.
Reviewer’s favorite songs: “Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd,” “Peppers” & “Margaret”
Reviewer’s least favorite songs: “Jonah Smith Interlude” & “Sweet'
Rating: 7/10
Adrianna Gallucci is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email amg7989@psu.edu.
