takeitdoen

Performance for the virtual Met Gala. She performed You Got the Love Transposed down - we stan an adaptive queen who understands her vocal range.

Yeah but I think this is worse - at least last time she was actually recommending good music (like Weyes Blood!). I'm not sure what to make of 'Goodbye Girls' who ship boutique products to America only.

Sounds like he's not over her.

Goliath is out and sounds amazing, and has an amazing video (as expected). Really nipping a new album will follow considering his rebrand. He also just did a little interview on Konbini and said BTD is an album hello could listen to all day night, and it has beautiful memories of him and Lana. Omg i wish they would collab on a video or on music again. What a cutie!

I apologise if anyone is offended by the word ‘queer’. When I heard it first used I was little thrown too but in academia the word ‘queer’ (in terms of queer theory) is used to refer to a spectrum that is all inclusive and anyone can position themselves on. It also encompasses all genders and sexuality, and avoids labelling specifics that could cause offence, and is also inclusive to anyone who is discovering who they are. First and foremost – no one picks to like a singer because they’re considered a queer icon, a woman singing about men, or out of obligation (Creyk, Bob Renoir de Monet, Tristesse). There is a clear trend of loving the music because it’s GOOD music. J (heroinbeaches) The second thing will do is clarify that my positionally is as a white, gay, cis-male who is scrappy and young(ish) but relatively well off. I’ve definitely been through some growing pains and experienced othering like many in the queer community, but the following is largely moulded into the perspectives from and for queer men. I would love to invite anyone else to synthesise the same about the female perspective – the rejection of Lana as an icon and the debate of authenticity is always brought up and there are some really good arguments here. Thirdly, I supposed subconsciously we are all talking about 2010 – 2013 era of when Lana was first discovered. Nowaways, Lana is still emblazoned with her Hollywood sadcore aesthetic and sound, and despite her music continually shifting in style and influence, this is largely how she is typically regarded. It is impossible to say, but gay men are probably not the majority, but certainly a vocal minority (cashcomesquick; sparklrtrailrheaven). Lana del Rey’s music isn’t exclusively enjoyed by queer men, but it is a negative stereotype, and there are a few factors to this. This is by no means a definitive answer, but from responses I am seeing the following correlations. I’ve noted below who I’ve taken major points from in the brackets. You lil geniuses. Lana del Rey became associated with queer culture from some of these factors. THE RISE OF THE STEROTYPE · Lana del Rey’s music rose in popularity despite and against mainstream sound. Her musical style with an original 60s + hip hop style was cool and weird and different (HydroponicWeeds), her lyrical content was relatable and initial-DIY aesthetic countered mainstream female pop-singers. These factors went so far to an extent that she was considered an ‘other’ and outcast, and queer people found an affinity after Lana was ‘othered’ by mainstream media. This also exacerbated by her huge critical and public rejection from the SNL performance. · She rose to popularity amongst platforms (such as Tumblr and Myspace) which familiarised a section of her fanbase with her alternative sound for an ‘underground’ ‘undiscovered’ feeling that subverted the way artists were discovered (Pin Up Galore). (Again, a generalisation, but) A stereotype of these users on these platforms at that time considered themselves outcasts – this added to a unified feeling of “we don’t fit” which was a draw card to Lana del Rey (daisy fresh witch). · The persecution of the authenticity of Lana del Rey, and her perceived invented life of her ‘persona’ are continually debated and despite huge popularity, album sales, live concerts, and award nominations, Lana is still rejected by mainstream media. Non-conformity, as well as societal outsiders are always attractive, safe and inviting to the queer community, as we see ourselves in them. (gyu) THE AFFINITY FOR DEL REY · Lana writes from a classically feminine perspective, the theatricality of her lyrics and aesthetic of the Born to Die era encompasses glamour and camp, with an unusual commitment to being ‘serious’ and ‘sad’. The meld of influences ticks some classic ‘gay culture’ boxes, including the femme fatale Hollywood trope, Marilyn Munroe appearance, and Golden Age Hollywood — she then exaggerates it all, creating a perfect (campy and gay) storm. (sparklrtrailrheaven; JazzSingrCultLeadr) · The tragic and submissive angle is the anthesis of the empowering anthems of the 2010s. An inverse of that, queer people often enjoy strong women, but identity intimately with the passive and demure in regards to being othered or feeling hidden (JazzSingrCultLeadr). · Lana del Rey’s music is relatable to and queer community (gasstationkween; GeminiLanaFan). Lana’s music connects with people that are very sensitive, feeling everything a bit too much, and people that have struggled in their lives. Many queer people have struggled at some point, which is why some queer fans are attracted to her resilience, perseverance, and ambivalence to the social norm. · Perhaps the biggest factor regarding the themes of her work - Lana’s initial releases presented love as an undying devotion with elements of desperation, doom, death etc. that really didn't fit into the zeitgeist at the time because of shifting discourses (WilshireBoulevard). · She is powerful, fresh-out-of-fucks forever singer – “it felt like [she] took the world by storm so nonchalantly!” (Veinsineon). Lana’s appearance, her interaction with her fans, her delivery and work holds an extreme femininity that queer people are attracted to. Whether it be radiating a softer, feminine side that’s attractive or desirable (PARADIXO), a coquettish and fun indulgence of hyperfeminitiy (Neptune) or her powerful and vulnerable radiating of power (trashmagiq), her energy is simply inspiring. Thanks everyone for your extremely interesting and diverse answers (so far?). It's so good to be able to pinpoint some of this as (despite any misgivings...) Lana truly is an icon of our time and these stereotypes have been present since I've been a fan but not totally sure why. @@WilshireBoulevard your post is so brilliant I haven't finished digesting it yet. Also @JazzSingrCultLeadr, simply brilliantly insightful.

It is impossible to say, however the topic is about the following: I edited the end of the topic to be more specific. I'm also interested in how people are rejecting her as a gay icon. More on this PLEASE.

I understand this too - and the reverse also; just because I'm gay doesn't mean I'm instantly a fan of Marina, L. Gaga, Kesha etc (I like songs from each but overall don't consider myself a fan). This is a forum. I am not generalising, I'm asking why people personally experience this. Great, yes you're totally right. I suppose I should rephrase some of the things I first posted - I suppose I am asking two questions: Why do fans (gay or otherwise) personally enjoy Lana del Rey? Why is the stereotype of a Lana del Rey fan a gay male? See below for examples:

These are really great answers, thanks everyone. So important, I haven't even considered that!! Rising to popularity on and in a platform which familiarised a section of her fanbase with her alternative sound. That might be the starting and big factor. I wonder, if NFR was her debut album, would queer people have found it to be so relatable and iconic? There is still great material on the album but I think you're spot on with a sense of theatricality and camp that is in the first album. It's still a mystery to me why queer people are so drawn to Broadway and theatre but I suspect it's similar themes. Do you think it's because all gay men are attracted or identity to that femininity, or is that why you were personally drawn to her? Iconic. Very true, especially with her persecution in and around her 'persona'.

I am hoping the LB team can help me with working out something that I've wondered for a while. As with many prolific artists, Lana del Rey's music is so good that anyone can be a fan. However, we know there are two stereotypes that get the majority - typically regarded as hardcore fans of younger women and gay men. My question is specifically about queer people - why do they gravitate so strongly to Lana's music? Are they drawn into Lana del Rey's persona? Is there a connection with the tragical lyrics? Is Born to Die persona a gay champion compared to NFR? Why is Lana del Rey considering the mecca of queer iconography? The idea that any gay that loves Lana is a tragic bottom with daddy issues is strange as in recent times I've started to see Lana be described unironically as a gay icon. In 2017, Billboard Magazine published an article called "5 Reasons Lana del Rey is a Muse to Gay Fans", and Tulane Hullabaloo wrote an article last year that described her as an "unexpected gay icon". The second article is less scholarly but it touches on the fact that queer people find an affinity with her sad content that relates to them feeling misunderstood or unconnected - but surely not every fan feels like that?? Considering her contemporaries (Madonna, Cher, L. Gaga and maybe even Florence Welch) have been substantially more supportive and vocal of their queer fanbase, why is Lana regarded with the same status? I'm really interested in hearing anyone's reply - especially from queer folx I want to hear why you love Lana, and non-queer people about what you perceive in the situation. EDIT: TL;DR + an update to this post for clarity What attracts queer fans to Lana del Rey?I'm asking either: 1) as a gay person, why do you like Lana? 2) as a gay person, why what do you think draws queer people to Lana 3) as a person not identifying as a gay man, what aspects do you think draw queer people to Lana? 4) as a person not identifying as a gay man, what makes you a fan of Lana? What factors contribute to the stereotypes of a Lana del Rey fan? I'm asking what aspects of Lana's career, image, songs contribute to the stereotype - I am personally very interested in the 'sad gay' stereotype. See below for examples:

Summertime Sadness vs 13 Beaches

I come to you from the future, it does not come out on 25 April.

P E A R S

In b4 she deletes the cover again.

Just gave it a listen and it's okay. VSQ's best record is definitely still their cover of Viva La Vida, but this has some nice moments. The arrangement is too stuck with trying to emulate the vocal lines and it doesn't really utilise the really good harmonies that the strings already have written in (Ride, Ultraviolence). It's cute though, glad to have it.

@@Clampigirl iconic.

That account is always posting about bébés . . .

Unfortunately, in order to win the record needs to actually be released. So good luck, Lana!

Too bad the instruments aren't actually real. I think lots of patches have become quite good but I just can't handle synthesised strings like this . . !

It's coming tomorrow!! Artwork and Spotify link to watch: https://open.spotify.com/track/3q8iHOd2icirSipnkE7fae?si=G3MF5VwdTTqNwtTVnkkLwQ

This is the best news since quarantine started. Emile Haynie produced it and wrote it with Thomas Bartlett - the iconic duo who wrote a little song y'all might know called WAIT FOR LIFE.

Awesome. Releasing 24 April - track previews available here: https://www.vitaminstringquartet.com/products/vsq-performs-lana-del-rey Of them all, I'm most excited for Lust for Life and Mariner's Apartment Complex!

Burning Desire finally available for the first time on Australian Spotify. I hope we get a 'Special' edition for Ultraviolence that includes Flipside. I'll give it a proper listen to later, but it sounds like they didn't fix the audio fuck up in Lucky Ones which was the only thing I noticed that was a mistake on the album. AH WELL. I wish it had some alternative artwork but awesome!

Guys, if she Has got her little red party dress on Knows that she's the best Crazy that's not your woman, that's Lana del Rey during Cruel World.

What the fuck is her problem. How is every single planned release or announcement marred by some kind of fuck up.

I am disappointed that she has included the music behind it. The DIY creativity that artists could have experimented with. AH WELL. Hope it comes soon. Would be good for some quarantine meditation. I am so sure she is putting more effort into this since she wants the Grammy - she's probably resigned herself to never win a pop artist one.