(source: lana del rey)
Joining Iggy Pop in creating a lasting classic, 'Lust for Life' is the second single from Lana Del Rey's upcoming fifth studio album of the same name.
The single itself was released on April 19, accompanied by a music video on May 22. 'Lust for Life' features the vocals of Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd), who also appears alongside Lana in the music video.
In the press release for her first single from the new record -- 'Love' -- Del Rey stated, 'I made my first four albums [Lana Del Ray, Born to Die, Ultraviolence and Honeymoon] for me, but this one is for my fans and about where we are all headed.' Hope seems to be the theme for the new record; a world full of optimism and love, especially regarding the political climate now. We are living in a world encompassed by fear of the unknown and terrorism, two things that Lana -- and the rest of the world -- hope will be eradicated in the near future.
Rather than dwell on the negative aspects of society today, Lana reels in optimism. This optimism is a stark difference to her often-melancholic prowess featured in her first four records.
A common theme within Del Rey's work is the small, contained worlds she envisages in individual songs. 'Lust for Life' is no different on the surface, exploring moments that remind both Del Rey and Tesfaye why living in the moment keeps you alive. However, the song -- and video -- is still laden with Del Rey's famed melancholy, as the track is rumoured to be inspired by the famous suicide of 24-year-old actress Peg Entwistle in 1932.
source: Neil Krug
Entwistle climbed a workman's ladder to access the top of the 'H' of the Hollywood sign, and preceded to jump to her death. In the track, Del Rey sings: 'Climb the H of the Hollywood sign / In these stolen moments / The world is mine', whilst Tesfaye sings 'They say only the good die young / That just ain't right / 'Cause we're having too much fun'. The video also takes the song's lyrics literally, following Del Rey adorned in a class red dress as she climbs the 'H' of the Hollywood sign to reunite with her 'lover' Tesfaye who is dressed in a styled black blazer with '60s-esce rounded sunglasses.
The duo slow-dance and sit atop the 'H', keeping each other alive with their 'lust for life'. The video is accomapnied by a '90s VHS filter, aiding to the recurring nostalgic haze imagery that has surrounded Del Rey throughout her career.
'Lust for Life' signals Del Rey's evolution from her 'Hollywood sadcore' to a strange blend of optimistic melancholy. The music video for Del Rey's first single 'Love' is similar to 'Lust for Life' in theme, displaying Del Rey as a flower child swaying to the music and singing directly to her audience.
The swooning melody is accompanied by sequences of today's youth-driven culture; demonstrating how they have a striking ability to embrace life and live for the moment rather than the future. In both music videos, it's enough to see Del Rey elegantly narrate today's youth without having to show her skin or flaunt herself in sexual dance routines.
Del Rey is one of the few musicians of this generation to captivate audiences and fans through her unique, vintage image and nostalgic music, harkening back to the 'Free Love' movement of the 1960s.
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