Born To Die - The Paradise Edition

Works perfectly

Love love love love, come in good condition

Loved it and I love Lana

‘The Paradise Edition’ opens with the sultry and seductive ‘Ride’. Nostalgic lyrics and haunting vocals, teamed up with a rich melancholic piano melody. Listening to this song, I’m transported to a wide stretch of the American desert, where I’m free to bask in my own self-indulgent misery, if only for a moment. This is of course, until that heart-wrenching chorus kicks in, and I’m imaging myself there, on that rope, swinging in midair, just as we see in the video for the song. This song appeals to me in ways I cannot possibly explain, and because of that… I just ride. What I find most interesting about this song is Lana’s ability to highlight what it means to feel rejected, to be someone who is just drifting through life, maybe even feeling a little crazy at times.. and then to just let it go, accept it even. That is what the chorus delivers – an overwhelming sense of freedom and comfort.After the emotional highs and lows of ‘Ride’, I find myself drifting away into a somewhat angelic, dreamy state, as I catch myself humming along to Lana’s smoky vocals on ‘American’, the second song from ‘The Paradise Edition’. It has all the key elements of a classic, sophisticated ballad, but with that key atmospheric twist that Lana brings to her music. As I listen to this song, I’m reminded of how I felt when I first heard ‘The Lucky Ones’ from the ‘Born to Die’ record. There is a certain similarity between them, in that, they both step away from the darker side of Lana. While I honestly prefer Lana’s darker, more mysterious and melancholic tracks, I have to admit that this song definitely finds its way into my top five.Keep in mind though, that… if you thought that the tracks from ‘Born to Die’ highlighted the dark side of Lana, ‘Gods and Monsters’ will offer you her darkest side yet. With references to God and religion, conflicts between evil and good, messages of drug/alcohol addiction. Lana ties all elements together: “Fame, liquor, love, give it to me slowly”. Despite all these rough elements, Lana still holds onto the hope that “in the lands of Gods and Monsters”…. she was an angel and that no one is going to take away her soul. It’s dark, and it’s deep, and it might make you want to shy away at times, but there is something there that draws you back in.Although, if you’re looking to take an escape from that darker side, you just might yet. Lana finds an opportunity to get a bit playful with the new record. This can be heard in ‘Cola’ and ‘The Body Electric’, both of which explore themes of popular American culture/cultural icons, as she claims “Elvis is my daddy, Marilyn’s my mother.”‘Bel Air’ and ‘Yayo’, seem to have been branded by many as no more than fillers, used simply to fill the space at the end of the record. Honestly, I can only imagine that these comments come from those that haven’t listened to the record in its entirety. Both songs offer haunting vocals, with chilling lyrics. I welcome the piano introduction in ‘Bel Air’ – something I think we could use more of in Lana’s music.I have to say though, that I find ‘Yayo’ quiet difficult to listen to. It’s a very personal song, that offers up a lot about Lana’s past. Her sincerity is striking, so much so that at times it can feel as if you’re an intruder listening in on the song… as if she were singing it to someone else: “Let me put on a show for you, daddy”.As a huge Lana Del Rey fan, myself, I truly hope that the release of ‘The Paradise Edition’ will mark a new beginning for Lana, a chance to establish herself into an industry that never fully accepted her. Accusations regarding authenticity led to a difficult start for the singer, and a perhaps misunderstood debut album.‘The Paradise Edition’ offers so much more than I even expected of Lana. It is a collection of the same hypnotic, orchestral, atmospheric and seductive Lana tracks that we have always loved and admired… Mixed with a completely new twist. A bolder, braver, more outspoken Lana. It’s personally what I love about her. She doesn’t shy away from difficult or controversial subjects… and while she might leave you haunted, she’ll comfort and console you in the process.If you are new to Lana, or a lifelong fan, just wanting more, either way... this record is perfection.

The media could not be loaded. My friends got me a cd player for my bday and this was my first album i thought to buy and was deff not disappointed. Sometimes it can sound choppy but that might be due to my cd player but idk

I'm so much a fan of Lana Del Rey that as well as Born To Die I have listened to her little known first album and even some unreleased demos. Listening to the new CD "Paradise" I instantly recognised a new version of Yayo and the recently released Blue Velvet, but the six other songs were completely new to me. Blue Velvet, a cover song, has much of the by now verging on overused production style and sounds of the Born To Die album, the special edition of which is of course also in this 2CD jewel case. However, the other tracks thankfully have a different (if less instantly distinctive) sound to them. That was a good choice musically, as Lana's voice is distinctive enough. The subject of these songs doesn't stray very far from Lana's in-character personality, and perhaps that shouldn't surprise anyone, but it makes the thoughtful and luscious Yayo really stand out as being something different and extra special.A mixture of playful and serious, each one telling a different story, it's hard not to listen to Lana songs without images popping into your head, but I was caught off guard by one particular lyric. I found myself, perhaps not shocked but a mixture of amused and puzzled by the first line of the new song Cola. Lana has perhaps been listening to 212 by Azealia Banks. There are a couple of songs with, shall we say, a bit of strong language on - so if that bothers you stay away, or maybe keep listening and you may change your mind. In the music equivalent of the art/pornography argument, a.k.a. I know it when I hear it, there are some uses that stand out to me as being completely inoffensive due to context. For that debate, see also Star Me Kitten by R.E.M., and equally I have to say that on the song Radio, it's not only contextually appropriate; it's actually beautiful in the context of the song. After a few listens of the songs I'm referring to on Paradise, I'm starting to think the uses here are also appropriate in context. I've actually changed this review to say that, as after first writing it I listened again and found that my opinion had changed.Back to the main point I'm trying to get across to you here - the songs are absolutely fantastic and will be much played by me - I can't imagine anyone not feeling happier for having listened to them.To end this review, I must tell you that I really love Lana's music, but it's a pure and platonic love, so if tomorrow you see anyone drinking Pepsi cola with an odd look on his face, as if he's trying desperately not to think of a certain line from a song in a particular context, then stop and say "hi" as it might be me.