Lana Del Rey’s highly anticipated album, “Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd,” released on March 24, 2023, is a captivating masterpiece that showcases the artist’s unparalleled talent for storytelling and evoking deep emotions through music. The album is a journey through the complexities of love, loss, heartbreak, and loneliness, with delicate melodies and a sense of blissful quiet that captivates the listener.
This album is the Lana Del Rey’s sixth number one record. Official Charts comments, “Lana’s ninth studio album joins her previous UK chart-toppers Born to Die (2012), Ultraviolence (2014), Lust for Life (2017), Norman F*cking Rockwell! (2019) and Chemtrails Over the Country Club (2021).”
Love and Heartbreak
One of the most striking aspects of the album is the layers of emotion that are interwoven throughout each track. The lyrics explore themes of love and heartbreak, with Lana’s signature haunting vocals conveying a sense of melancholy and longing. Tracks like “Kintsugi” and “Fishtail” are particularly poignant, with lyrics that explore the pain of lost love and the sense of loneliness that comes with it.
Another standout aspect of “Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd” is the sense of blissful quiet that permeates throughout the album. The tracks on the album are restrained and subtle, with a sense of introspection and a focus on the internal struggles that come with love and heartbreak. This is particularly evident in “Fingertips” which is introspective and deeply personal.
The album also features collaborations with other artists, which add a unique touch to the tracks. “Paris, Texas” features a collaboration with SYML, which showcases the two artists’ vocal prowess and chemistry. The track is a powerful ballad that explores the themes of pain and loss. The collaboration between Lana and SYML elevates the track to new heights.
In addition, “Margaret,” featuring a collaboration with Bleachers is also a great example. The track is a hauntingly beautiful duet that explores the complexities of love. Lana and Bleachers create beautiful harmonies. They also trade verses exploring the intricacies of a relationship. The collaboration is a testament to Lana’s ability to connect with other artists and create something unique and emotionally charged.
Creative Approach
The musicality of the album is certainly noteworthy. Lana’s ability to create something distinct and fresh is showcased in this release without a doubt. is the delicate melodies and intricate arrangements that make up the music. The tracks on the album are minimalist, with a focus on delicate instrumentation and a sense of space that allows the lyrics and vocals to take center stage. The album’s production is immaculate, with each track showcasing Lana’s ability to create a sense of atmosphere and transport the listener to a different world.
Billboard highlights, “Lana Del Rey practices “automatic singing.” Using the improvisational songwriting technique, she lets her voice carry over accompaniments, not commandeering where her words or melodies take her, accepting all ideas she has in the moment and editing them later.” This emphasizes the uniqueness of “Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd.”
Overall, “Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd” is a powerful and enthralling album that showcases Lana Del Rey’s talent for storytelling and evoking deep emotions through music. The delicate melodies, restrained instrumentation, and sense of introspection make it a standout in her discography.
Andrew Shulov for Slay Sonics