Jeanne Dielman

I've been trying to decipher how Lana is going to tell her story and this is what I came up with:
 
Text Book, Blue Banisters and Arcadia operate as a form of introduction - a prologue to the story Lana wants to share with us. Text Book is not an accessible or particularly "welcoming" opener - it's lyrically dense and complex, and the overall mood it evokes is quite cerebral. The opening line is perfect: this is really her story and she (finally) feels strong enough to tell it. The closing line implies repetition; a dead end. Blue Banisters is about healing and memories. The ghost of a lover still haunts her because the pain he inflicted on her remains unbearable. But she finds comfort in the company of her family and friends who try to heal her wounds even though they probably fail. But they're always there for her. They "fly to her to paint, paint...". There's something hopeful in the song, but Lana has to live with this pain - it'll never go away. Arcadia is one of her most lyrically subversive songs. What seems like a cheeky allegory and an apparent love letter to California becomes a slyly scathing critique against America and the criticism she's received throughout the years. In a way, these three tracks seem to define her current state of mind: the disappointments of love; the unfair criticism; the search for a safe haven - both literally and figuratively - in the world. 
 
@Thunder made some great points about the three-act structure of the album. Dealer is one of Lana's angriest and rawest songs. Thunder is both celebratory and a portrayal of (emotional) stagnancy. Wildflower Wildfire has some of the darkest and most confessional words Lana has ever written, but she finally finds hope. "It's you from whom I learn." This seems to be another critical transitional moment in the album - we finally dive into old UV outtakes. What is their purpose in the narrative? There is a lot of nostalgia in these songs, particularly Nectar of the Gods which ends with Lana feeling lost again. Living Legend and especially Cherry Blossom are sweeter, warmer songs. The fact that the final track, Sweet Carolina, is co-written by the father she "wanted back" (and finally found him) and her sister is very important. I think this will be a very emotional and highly personal ballad. Perhaps nothing has really changed in Lana's life. As Blue Banisters says, this "hole"/pain hasn't been healed and probably never will be. But she's found the support she needs - her father, her siblings, her best friends, her fans, her own self. These are her banisters.
 
So what should we expect from those mysterious tracks in the middle of the album? Black Bathing Suit, Beautiful, Violets for Roses, If You Lie Down With Me...these are very beautiful (pun intended!) and romantic or even sultry/inviting titles. But would such a direction make sense sonically and lyrically? How do we end up with the anger in tracks 9-11? Are these songs about her past? Could the titles be misleading? Is she going to go from something potentially sexy (Black Bathing Suit/If You Lie Down With Me) and pure (Beautiful/Violets for Roses) to something as lyrically dark and angry as Dealer? Could these tracks hold the key to fully understanding Lana's intentions? The fact that insiders avoid talking about these - sure, they want to leave us something to be excited about lol! - makes me think that they may be quite revealing and intense. 

Why do I have a feeling that this album is going to emotionally destroy us? When she talked about bringing old collaborators, friends and family to write this album...putting old and new songs on it. It's like with this album she's curated everything that defines her. It feels like a farewell and an epilogue to this 10-year chapter. I don't know how I'm supposed to feel. I'm heartbroken but on the other hand I think she'll feel liberated. Social media can be insufferable and one's mental health should be their top priority. On the other hand, @Arcadia is right. It feels like she's forcing herself to smile. I really hope nothing bad has happened and this is just us overreacting but this video is slightly unsettling.
 
And I can't believe Blue Banisters & Arcadia are playing on Spotify as I'm writing this...
 
 

Why do I have a feeling that this album is going to emotionally destroy us? When she talked about bringing old collaborators, friends and family to write this album...putting old and new songs on it. It's like with this album she's curated everything that defines her. It feels like a farewell and an epilogue to this 10-year chapter. I don't know how I'm supposed to feel. I'm heartbroken but on the other hand I think she'll feel liberated. Social media can be insufferable and one's mental health should be their top priority. On the other hand, @Arcadia is right. It feels like she's forcing herself to smile. I really hope nothing bad has happened and this is just us overreacting but this video is slightly unsettling.
 
And I can't believe Blue Banisters & Arcadia are playing on Spotify as I'm writing this...
 
 

Why do I have a feeling that this album is going to emotionally destroy us? When she talked about bringing old collaborators, friends and family to write this album...putting old and new songs on it. It's like with this album she's curated everything that defines her. It feels like a farewell and an epilogue to this 10-year chapter. I don't know how I'm supposed to feel. I'm heartbroken but on the other hand I think she'll feel liberated. Social media can be insufferable and one's mental health should be their top priority. On the other hand, @Arcadia is right. It feels like she's forcing herself to smile. I really hope nothing bad has happened and this is just us overreacting but this video is slightly unsettling.
 
And I can't believe Blue Banisters & Arcadia are playing on Spotify as I'm writing this...
 
 

Why do I have a feeling that this album is going to emotionally destroy us? When she talked about bringing old collaborators, friends and family to write this album...putting old and new songs on it. It's like with this album she's curated everything that defines her. It feels like a farewell and an epilogue to this 10-year chapter. I don't know how I'm supposed to feel. I'm heartbroken but on the other hand I think she'll feel liberated. Social media can be insufferable and one's mental health should be their top priority. On the other hand, @Arcadia is right. It feels like she's forcing herself to smile. I really hope nothing bad has happened and this is just us overreacting but this video is slightly unsettling.
 
And I can't believe Blue Banisters & Arcadia are playing on Spotify as I'm writing this...
 
 

Why do I have a feeling that this album is going to emotionally destroy us? When she talked about bringing old collaborators, friends and family to write this album...putting old and new songs on it. It's like with this album she's curated everything that defines her. It feels like a farewell and an epilogue to this 10-year chapter. I don't know how I'm supposed to feel. I'm heartbroken but on the other hand I think she'll feel liberated. Social media can be insufferable and one's mental health should be their top priority. On the other hand, @Arcadia is right. It feels like she's forcing herself to smile. I really hope nothing bad has happened and this is just us overreacting but this video is slightly unsettling.
 
And I can't believe Blue Banisters & Arcadia are playing on Spotify as I'm writing this...
 
 

Why do I have a feeling that this album is going to emotionally destroy us? When she talked about bringing old collaborators, friends and family to write this album...putting old and new songs on it. It's like with this album she's curated everything that defines her. It feels like a farewell and an epilogue to this 10-year chapter. I don't know how I'm supposed to feel. I'm heartbroken but on the other hand I think she'll feel liberated. Social media can be insufferable and one's mental health should be their top priority. On the other hand, @Arcadia is right. It feels like she's forcing herself to smile. I really hope nothing bad has happened and this is just us overreacting but this video is slightly unsettling.
 
And I can't believe Blue Banisters & Arcadia are playing on Spotify as I'm writing this...
 
 

Yeah the timing is just bizarre. She was posting so much these days and she does seem genuinely excited and proud of the new record so this decision to deactivate is shocking. 

Why do I have a feeling that this album is going to emotionally destroy us? When she talked about bringing old collaborators, friends and family to write this album...putting old and new songs on it. It's like with this album she's curated everything that defines her. It feels like a farewell and an epilogue to this 10-year chapter. I don't know how I'm supposed to feel. I'm heartbroken but on the other hand I think she'll feel liberated. Social media can be insufferable and one's mental health should be their top priority. On the other hand, @Arcadia is right. It feels like she's forcing herself to smile. I really hope nothing bad has happened and this is just us overreacting but this video is slightly unsettling.
 
And I can't believe Blue Banisters & Arcadia are playing on Spotify as I'm writing this...
 
 

Why do I have a feeling that this album is going to emotionally destroy us? When she talked about bringing old collaborators, friends and family to write this album...putting old and new songs on it. It's like with this album she's curated everything that defines her. It feels like a farewell and an epilogue to this 10-year chapter. I don't know how I'm supposed to feel. I'm heartbroken but on the other hand I think she'll feel liberated. Social media can be insufferable and one's mental health should be their top priority. On the other hand, @Arcadia is right. It feels like she's forcing herself to smile. I really hope nothing bad has happened and this is just us overreacting but this video is slightly unsettling.
 
And I can't believe Blue Banisters & Arcadia are playing on Spotify as I'm writing this...
 
 

Yeah I just rewatched this and yeah...the way she talks about trust and keeping a closer circle around her...something feels off. 

Why do I have a feeling that this album is going to emotionally destroy us? When she talked about bringing old collaborators, friends and family to write this album...putting old and new songs on it. It's like with this album she's curated everything that defines her. It feels like a farewell and an epilogue to this 10-year chapter. I don't know how I'm supposed to feel. I'm heartbroken but on the other hand I think she'll feel liberated. Social media can be insufferable and one's mental health should be their top priority. On the other hand, @Arcadia is right. It feels like she's forcing herself to smile. I really hope nothing bad has happened and this is just us overreacting but this video is slightly unsettling.
 
And I can't believe Blue Banisters & Arcadia are playing on Spotify as I'm writing this...
 
 

Yeah the timing is just bizarre. She was posting so much these days and she does seem genuinely excited and proud of the new record so this decision to deactivate is shocking. 

Why do I have a feeling that this album is going to emotionally destroy us? When she talked about bringing old collaborators, friends and family to write this album...putting old and new songs on it. It's like with this album she's curated everything that defines her. It feels like a farewell and an epilogue to this 10-year chapter. I don't know how I'm supposed to feel. I'm heartbroken but on the other hand I think she'll feel liberated. Social media can be insufferable and one's mental health should be their top priority. On the other hand, @Arcadia is right. It feels like she's forcing herself to smile. I really hope nothing bad has happened and this is just us overreacting but this video is slightly unsettling.
 
And I can't believe Blue Banisters & Arcadia are playing on Spotify as I'm writing this...
 
 

Yeah the timing is just bizarre. She was posting so much these days and she does seem genuinely excited and proud of the new record so this decision to deactivate is shocking. 

Yeah the timing is just bizarre. She was posting so much these days and she does seem genuinely excited and proud of the new record so this decision to deactivate is shocking. 

Yeah I just rewatched this and yeah...the way she talks about trust and keeping a closer circle around her...something feels off. 

Yeah the timing is just bizarre. She was posting so much these days and she does seem genuinely excited and proud of the new record so this decision to deactivate is shocking. 

Yeah the timing is just bizarre. She was posting so much these days and she does seem genuinely excited and proud of the new record so this decision to deactivate is shocking. 

Why do I have a feeling that this album is going to emotionally destroy us? When she talked about bringing old collaborators, friends and family to write this album...putting old and new songs on it. It's like with this album she's curated everything that defines her. It feels like a farewell and an epilogue to this 10-year chapter. I don't know how I'm supposed to feel. I'm heartbroken but on the other hand I think she'll feel liberated. Social media can be insufferable and one's mental health should be their top priority. On the other hand, @Arcadia is right. It feels like she's forcing herself to smile. I really hope nothing bad has happened and this is just us overreacting but this video is slightly unsettling.
 
And I can't believe Blue Banisters & Arcadia are playing on Spotify as I'm writing this...
 
 

Yeah the timing is just bizarre. She was posting so much these days and she does seem genuinely excited and proud of the new record so this decision to deactivate is shocking. 

Why do I have a feeling that this album is going to emotionally destroy us? When she talked about bringing old collaborators, friends and family to write this album...putting old and new songs on it. It's like with this album she's curated everything that defines her. It feels like a farewell and an epilogue to this 10-year chapter. I don't know how I'm supposed to feel. I'm heartbroken but on the other hand I think she'll feel liberated. Social media can be insufferable and one's mental health should be their top priority. On the other hand, @Arcadia is right. It feels like she's forcing herself to smile. I really hope nothing bad has happened and this is just us overreacting but this video is slightly unsettling.
 
And I can't believe Blue Banisters & Arcadia are playing on Spotify as I'm writing this...
 
 

Why do I have a feeling that this album is going to emotionally destroy us? When she talked about bringing old collaborators, friends and family to write this album...putting old and new songs on it. It's like with this album she's curated everything that defines her. It feels like a farewell and an epilogue to this 10-year chapter. I don't know how I'm supposed to feel. I'm heartbroken but on the other hand I think she'll feel liberated. Social media can be insufferable and one's mental health should be their top priority. On the other hand, @Arcadia is right. It feels like she's forcing herself to smile. I really hope nothing bad has happened and this is just us overreacting but this video is slightly unsettling.
 
And I can't believe Blue Banisters & Arcadia are playing on Spotify as I'm writing this...
 
 

Yeah the timing is just bizarre. She was posting so much these days and she does seem genuinely excited and proud of the new record so this decision to deactivate is shocking. 

Yeah the timing is just bizarre. She was posting so much these days and she does seem genuinely excited and proud of the new record so this decision to deactivate is shocking.