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Lana Del Rey’s new album is her most personal yet
by Sarafina Dillon sports editor
Released on March 24, “Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel
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Under Ocean Blvd” is Lana Del Rey’s ninth studio album. Consisting of 16 tracks, the lengthy album is about the very heart of relationships and the emotions she experienced. The album name was inspired by the historical Jergins Tunnel on Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach California. The tunnel, which has been closed since 1967, is intended to be symbolic of the feeling of being forgotten.
The album starts with “The Grants,” a song that is almost five minutes long. In this heartbreaking ballad, Lana relates cherished memories with her loved ones while featuring her vocal talent with gospel inspired singing. The impressive and unique vocals make it one of the best on the album.
Another song that is important to mention is the third track, “Sweet,” which is my clear favorite on the album. With a beautiful piano ballad that once again showcases her amazing voice, “Sweet” ponders many questions to her current lover that need to be addressed. “Not talking ‘bout the stuff that’s at the very heart of things,” Del Rey sings. I really love how the slow paced rhythm and touching lyrics combine to make a perfect song.
Because the majority of songs are slow-paced, the ones that are upbeat stick out. “Peppers,” the fifteenth song on the album, is one of the fun upbeat tracks, which is also one of my favorites because of the unique feel and catchy lyrics. The background vocals give it a personal touch and the Tommy Genesis feature is another one of my favorite parts of the song. While there are many mastery aspects, I was not impressed with the interludes. Both “Judah Smith Interlude” and “Jon Batiste Interlude” don’t contribute much and most listeners skip them since there’s no singing. They consist of a man talking to a woman which feels irrelevant to the story.
The conclusion was another let down. The last song is “Taco Truck x VB.” While I really enjoy the song, I feel like it would have been more appropriate to place it in the middle of the tracklist, leaving listeners with another slow ballad.
Overall, “Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd” was worth the long wait. It is easily comparable to her other albums as it similarly includes her traditional “world building.” As she continues to release music, it is clear that her discography only continues to improve, and I’ll continue to eagerly await new projects.
