Lana Del Rey – Born To Die (CD)

Lana Del Rey’s Born to Die, released in 2012, was an instant statement of cinematic melancholy and self-styled Americana glamour that polarized critics but ultimately reshaped the sound of pop for the 2010s. Born Elizabeth Grant in New York City, Del Rey crafted her persona with a mix of noirish nostalgia and tragic romance, drawing on classic Hollywood and '60s girl group influences. The album was produced by a team that included Emile Haynie, Jeff Bhasker, and Rick Nowels, whose contributions gave Born to Die its lush, sweeping sound—combining orchestral arrangements with hip-hop beats and dreamlike atmospheres. Del Rey’s breakthrough singles “Video Games” and “Summertime Sadness” encapsulate the album’s blend of sad-core introspection and grandeur, painting a portrait of doomed love and glamorous excess. Though Born to Die initially sparked debate over its authenticity, its brooding aesthetic and Lana’s languid vocal delivery became a template for alt-pop and indie artists in the years that followed.