Column: Lana Del Rey deserves a nod

Lana Del Rey may be the most underrated player in the game.

In the last few weeks, advertisement campaigns by the songstress have been released.

It’s exciting to see her forgotten Hollywood glamour used to promote products.

Nicknamed the “gangster Nancy Sinatra,” Del Rey’s cover of “Blue Velvet” for H&M was hypnotizing, to say the least. Her ad campaign for Jaguar automobiles is truly opulent.

Luxury brand Mulberry even released a bag named after Del Rey at the end of 2011 that was reminiscent of her timeless American style.

Although there is speculation that the seductive songstress is the latest puppet of the Illuminati, her music and modern take on bygone eras is still very impressive.

She infuses vintage styles with modern day trends with ease.

Her bravura is a compilation of urban creations on the sultry grace of 1960s sex symbols. Her Bardot-esque beehive is enough to make anyone jealous of her beautiful, auburn extensions.

Although she says she’s never had lip injections, her plump pout alone is enough to entice album sales.

People are up in arms about the songstress’ makeover a few years ago.

She ditched her birth name and short blonde hairdo in favor of an expensive weave and go-go boots.

If it worked, I don’t understand the problem.

Reinventing yourself is not a crime. If an image is reinvented to sell music, the music better be worth it.

While Del Rey hasn’t received great reviews for her live performances, I am content to listen to countless remixes of her remastered tracks.

I love her work because it embodies her physical self. With one glance at the songstress, it’s easy to know what her music will sound like and the way her voice will whisper.

Even if it is an illusion, it is one I don’t mind living with. 

Her style isn’t overwhelming like that of Nicki Minaj, and it’s not as painfully childish as Katy Perry’s.

Her lyrics are both poetic and melodic, like catchy adult lullabies that don’t blatantly whine about divorce.

The absolute best part about this seductive artist is that she doesn’t care how she measures up to other artists or fashionistas.

Whenever fashion is brought up in interviews, she coyly responds, “I don’t really care about fashion. I wear what I want.”

Although her interview with Vogue Australia about leaving the music industry to contribute to film leaves me teary-eyed, I admire a songstress who knows when
to quit.

Del Rey said she has said everything she needed to say on her last album, so she is open to pursuing her dream career in film.

If she really is just the byproduct of a great public relations team and beauty squad, they sure are doing it right.

­— mwalschl@indiana.edu