Why Lana Del Rey is the greatest artist of this century

Lana Del Rey is the greatest artist of our time. Her name is more than a pseudonym; it is a lifestyle, a permanent emotional state that feels like a roller coaster between highs and lows, a metaphysical experience, a confrontation with oneself, with life, and with the soul.

On wintry nights like these, I listen to the angelic choruses of Lana Del Rey, allowing her music to guide my depression into even deeper abysses while simultaneously pulling me out of this tar pit with her hand. I want to show you why she is like no other artist.

Versatility

For me, what matters is not when an artist dominates a single genre, but when they can master multiple genres. Lana Del Rey does this better than almost any other artist.

While her signature sound in songs like "Video Games" explores melancholic themes of love and longing, she equally excels at creating dark and somber worlds from the depths of our collective souls with pieces like "Summertime Sadness," "Blackest Day," or "Born to Die."

These three examples showcase her typical imprint on themes of transience and passion. However, she switches styles dramatically, as the following examples illustrate:

In "Doin' Time," she reveals an entirely different side, reinventing herself with summery, reggae-inspired beats that evoke a sense of freedom and carefree summer joy, like sitting in the shade enjoying a cool drink while birds chirp overhead.

Another example of this rich diversity is the guitar solo in "Shades of Cool," which unexpectedly transforms from the song's melancholic, jazzy atmosphere into a psychedelic rock moment, while "Ultraviolence" reveals a daring, rebellious side with rocky guitars and dark lyrics.

In "West Coast," one of my absolute favorite songs, the tempo changes abruptly during the pre-chorus, evolving from driving, danceable Latin rhythms to a slowed-down, dreamier section. This bold stylistic break is more thoughtfully crafted than many complex musical compositions.

"West Coast" is her most successful song to date (according to Billboard rankings), and its trademark quality lies once again in her soft voice that flows with the beat. It's simply easy to listen to. Then, with the onset of the chorus and the grandiose drums, she manages to dramatize her vocal range, unleashing her high vocals and creating an earworm.

Lana Del Rey can deliver spoken word vocals and poetic works over various beats. Beyond the essence of rap and spoken word vocals, she can also handle modern rap. Looking at the song "Ridin'" with A$AP Rocky, it becomes clear that she can not only rap quickly and fluidly but also maintain clear pronunciation and technically precise rhymes that fit perfectly into the beat.

In "National Anthem," she sings about materialism and the love of money, all from a woman's perspective. Lana Del Rey embodies everything a man could wish for: a woman who does everything for him once he has success and money, and whom he can only attain through these means. She sings, "Pick me up in your Bugatti and take me to the Hamptons," or "I need somebody to hold me and keep me safe in his bell tower hotel."

It's socially critical yet also clearly states that both genders function this way, while simultaneously criticizing the American way of life in the following lines.

Lana Del Rey comes with an angelic voice and conjures a lyrical masterpiece into our ears. When she sings, "Red, white, blue is in the sky. Summer's in the air and, baby, heaven's in your eyes," she does so with such profundity. One recognizes that the colors she lists represent the American flag, while summer likely stands for the 4th of July.

"National Anthem" is one of her strongest tracks, but far from her best.

The next song demonstrating Lana Del Rey's versatility is "Ride." Lana Del Rey writes poetry, and with "Ride," she finally brought that to record. The accompanying short film music video especially reinforces this aspect with spoken monologues that make her emotional depth and poetic narrative style even more evident.

"Ride" is a poetic masterpiece where she combines lyrics, vocals, melancholy, and nostalgia, paired with a video that conveys a sense of freedom.

It begins gently with yearning, almost narrative vocals and an orchestral, cinematic sound. The instrumentation, characterized by melancholic strings and soft piano notes, gradually builds to an epic finale marked by an almost hymn-like grandeur.

Textually, her versatility is also evident: "Ride" tells a classic outlaw story about restlessness, freedom, and the search for identity.

This theme runs through many of her works but is expressed here with particular intensity.

Her interpretation of the "tragic nomad" moving between loneliness and ecstatic freedom shows another facet of her art, in which she presents herself not only as a singer but also as a storyteller and visual artist.

The song thus represents her ability to masterfully weave genres and moods: it combines nostalgic Americana elements with orchestral pop, dramatic narrative art, and an almost rock-ballad-like intensity. This makes "Ride" a prime example of Lana Del Rey's unique versatility. "Ride" is also among my absolute favorite songs.

This diversity makes her one of the most adaptable artists of our time, constantly reinventing herself while remaining true to her distinctive aesthetic.

Her sex appeal

LDR is not the typical fashion doll with bleached hair and a large bust. She does not bring the stereotypical female charms and presents herself less sexually, which becomes all the more alluring when she does. It is not something taken for granted, which significantly increases her value. She does not wield the feminist club like Billie Eilish, who, at the beginning of her career, said she deliberately dressed "like a bum" (paraphrased) to avoid taking her clothes off and bowing to industry pressures, only to undress two years later, justifying it by saying no one should dictate what she does. I would not call Lana Del Rey hypocritical, nor does she parrot what the industry typically promotes.

This is a fascinating aspect, as Lana Del Rey's sex appeal differs significantly from many other pop stars. While artists like Madonna, Nicki Minaj, or Britney Spears often stage their sexuality directly, provocatively, and explicitly, Lana Del Rey employs a more subtle, almost nostalgic form of eroticism characterized by elegance, mystique, and a certain unapproachability. Her sex appeal does not primarily emerge from suggestive dances or revealing outfits but through her dreamy, almost hypnotic style of singing, her vintage aesthetic, and the melancholic, often suffering femininity she portrays in her songs.

Interestingly, she frequently romanticizes traditional or even submissive female roles in her lyrics, which is rather unusual in the modern feminist pop landscape. Songs like "Born to Die," "Ultraviolence" ("He hit me and it felt like a kiss"), or "Fucked My Way Up to the Top" play with the narrative of a woman surrendering to the dominant man, sometimes out of love, sometimes desire or dependency. These role models are provocative, but they do not necessarily serve pure lustful portrayal; rather, they tell stories of longing, power, and loss of control.

Another example of her sensual yet restrained eroticism is "Blue Jeans," where she sings about obsessive love in a deep, almost whispered voice. "Shades of Cool" also embodies a kind of passive yet intense eroticism; she is the suffering muse who accepts beautiful but toxic love. At the same time, there are songs like "Salvatore" or "Doin' Time" where she shows a more playful, flirtatious side, which is always characterized by a certain irony or distance.

This restraint makes Lana Del Rey's sex appeal all the more captivating. Instead of revealing everything, she remains enigmatic, making her aura even more attractive. Her charm lies in the mixture of innocence and decadence, melancholy and desire, nostalgia and timeless sensuality.

The perfect cast for movie blockbusters

Lana Del Rey would be the ideal choice for the musical backdrop of a major Hollywood blockbuster, especially for a film with dramatic depth, melancholic undertones, and epic staging. Her music is characterized by a cinematic quality already perceptible in many of her songs: the orchestral elements, the dark and romantic soundscapes combined with her angelic, almost hypnotic voice.

Particularly in connection with a film like James Bond, her style would be perfect. After all, she is known for her nostalgic elegance and her ability to unite tension, desire, and mystery in her music. Not only as a singer of a title song would she stand on par with artists like Adele or Madonna, but she could also convince as a Bond girl herself. Her reserved yet sensual charisma, combined with her mysterious aura, would make her a fascinating cast member. While classic Bond girls often fit the stereotype of the femme fatale or the seductive love interest, Lana Del Rey embodies precisely these qualities but with a depth that goes far beyond the cliché. She could represent a new kind of Bond girl: not just beautiful and desirable, but also melancholic, unapproachable, and full of secrets.

Her song "Young and Beautiful" from The Great Gatsby already shows how perfect her music is for cinematic narratives. With an epic soundscape that combines orchestral elements with nostalgic jazz, she captures the essence of drama and passion, exactly what an iconic film soundtrack needs. Songs like "Born to Die" or "Dark Paradise" also prove that she can create a unique atmosphere with orchestral power and profound melancholy.

In short: Lana Del Rey has the potential to take an iconic place in the film industry, not just musically, but also visually and performatively, just like Madonna or Adele in the Bond world, or even beyond.

I personally see Lana Del Rey as a modern Nancy Sinatra: classy, boss-like, badass.

Live performances

Lana Del Rey's concerts stand out strongly from those of many other pop stars. While many artists rely on elaborate choreographies, visual effects, or spectacular stage designs, she pursues a more minimalist strategy, and that's exactly what makes her live performances so special. Instead of impressing with fireworks or dance shows, she focuses entirely on what she does best: her singing, her atmospheric music, and an emotional, almost intimate connection with her audience.

Another highlight of her concerts is the selection of cover songs she performs live. Particularly noteworthy is that she often chooses classics from various genres, including songs like "Scarborough Fair" (Simon & Garfunkel), "Heart-Shaped Box" (Nirvana), "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" (Bob Dylan), or "Roadhouse Blues" (The Doors). The fact that she incorporates precisely these songs into her repertoire is a fascinating coincidence for me as a fan, as they are also among my personal favorites. Through her unique interpretations, she gives these iconic songs a completely new timbre—often more melancholic, quieter, and imbued with her typical Lana aesthetic.

This "less is more" principle runs through her entire stage presence. She doesn't need elaborate staging to captivate the audience; her hypnotic voice, her charismatic presence, and her often almost dreamy performance style are completely sufficient. Especially in a time when many artists try to make their concerts bigger, louder, and more spectacular, Lana Del Rey's approach seems almost refreshingly nostalgic and unique. Her fans don't come for a spectacle but for the music, and that's exactly what makes her live performances a special experience.

The person behind Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey, born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant on June 21, 1985, in New York City, grew up in Lake Placid, a small town in New York State. Her childhood and youth were characterized by a rather middle-class environment, but she developed a passion for music and literature early on.

The transformation from Elizabeth Grant to the artistic persona Lana Del Rey is a central aspect of her career. While her early works were rather folky and simple, she created a completely new aesthetic with Lana Del Rey—a mixture of vintage Hollywood glamour, melancholy, and nostalgic Americana flair.

She herself describes her music as "sadcore"—dark, romantic, often full of longing and tragedy. Her stage name, inspired by actress Lana Turner and the Ford Del Rey car, underscores this retro charm.

Personality and life beyond music

Unlike many other pop stars, Lana Del Rey largely keeps her private life out of the public eye. Nevertheless, it's known that she has a strong interest in lyrics, poetry, and film, which is also reflected in her song lyrics. In 2020, she published a poetry collection called "Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass," which showcases her literary side.

Despite her worldwide success, she remains down to earth and often appears reserved, almost shy in interviews. While she appears glamorous and like an icon from another era in her songs, privately she often shows herself as a simple, nature-loving person who loves taking road trips and expressing herself creatively.

This is a side reminiscent of Jim Morrison, a personality about whom I could prepare an equally comprehensive analysis.

Controversies and public perception

Lana Del Rey's career has not been free from controversy. Critics sometimes accuse her of romanticizing toxic relationships and placing women in dependent roles in her lyrics—especially in songs like "Ultraviolence."

She herself defends her art as an honest portrayal of her personal experiences and feelings. If she wants to have a 10-minute song on her album, she does it.

What distinguishes LDR from many other artists is her authenticity. She's not a typical pop icon striving for chart hits; she makes music that comes deeply from her soul.

Her melancholic, often bittersweet aesthetic, coupled with an unapproachable, almost mystical aura, makes her one of the most fascinating personalities in the modern music scene.

Ultimately, Lana Del Rey remains an enigma—an artist who floats between past and present, between nostalgia and innovation, between worldwide fame and quiet seclusion. Perhaps that's exactly her secret: she remains unpredictable, multifaceted, and always a little bit unattainable.

Header image source: flickr