Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd - Post-Release Discussion Thread + Poll

[missamericatrash 796]

I love how obsessed Pitchfork is w this album 

[mssainttropez 14,759]

justanotebookinmyhand…

[Lanaparadiserey 23,567]

Unpopular opinion but Paris, Texas is my least favorite song from this album Maybe The Grants is my least fav??? Idk they are all so good 

[Doll Harlow 12,367]

13 minutes ago, Selfloathinpoet said:

That's good 

 

Fingertips deserves more

[Candy Necklace 7,787]

There’s a certain point the body can’t come back from 

[LifeOnMars 7,911]

19 minutes ago, Selfloathinpoet said:

That's good 

Fingertips being the least streamed song… Undeserved but I understand why. Good to see A&W doing so well. It’s something different for Lana and such a great song. 

[Creyk 11,699]

29 minutes ago, PARADIXO said:

Review: Lana Del Rey - Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd

The singer's tumultuous ninth LP finds her at "the very heart of things"

 

Lana Del Rey has proven to be one of the most prolific singer-songwriters in the modern era - in the last four years, over 60 songs and poems were officially released. Her parents, siblings, friends and community of artists became prominent figures in her lyrics, although none of them take the place of the main character: that's Del Rey herself. She once described her current music as "her innermost thoughts", and even if Chemtrails Over the Country Clubs and Blue Banisters were intimate enough, Ocean Blvd goes beyond.

 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

The Grants

Family, death, spiritual connection, loneliness and personal reparations -- it really sets the tone for the rest of the record. I love this song not only as an opener but also an individual piece. Her voice sounds crisp and delicate, the choir singers take it to a higher realm, the composition is heavenly dramatic and it's just overall so soothing. Highlight: the synths during the second chorus and the "My pastor told me..." melody.

 

Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd

This is undoubtedly one of Lana's best songs ever. The lyrics are just immaculate, the instrumentation is rich and cinematic, it has such an incredible climax with the choir girls, her voice is emotional and velvety and, I'll say it again, the interpolation of "Don't Forget Me" has to be her most epic reference of all time. It'll be very hard to top this one. Highlight: everything, but if I have to choose... the lyrics.

 

Sweet

I absolutely adore this song. The lyrics are sincere and conversational and I love the "some basic bitch" line, and it makes me crazy when she goes a bit nihilistic with "I've got things to do, like nothing at all", it reminds me of "I miss doing nothing the most of all" from The greatest which, to me, is one of her best lines ever. Highlight: "Do you want children? Do you wanna marry me?" The entire bridge and final chorus are some of the top moments on the album for me.

 

A&W

One of her most haunting compositions ever. The way Jack and her turned this psych-folk number into a horrorcore trap bop is brilliant, an even more brilliant is that transition. It sounds like her mind is stretching and distorted and then she goes all wild. Also the lyrics are so shocking, full of strong statements and confessions. It's equally angsty, depressing and careless. One of Lana's most adventurous tracks. Highlight: the intro, it sounds so psychological, like the intro of some really weird TV series from the 80s or something. Also the strumming during "...sidepiece at 33...".

 

Judah Smith Interlude

As some of you guys know, I didn't listen to any of the leaks, but I did read some of your reactions and descriptions. When I saw most people were so negative towards this track I thought it was an exaggeration and was eager to listen and judge by myself. Well, I think I will never ever play this song again. The quality is horrible, the jokes are cringey and the instrumental is not that good... I understand the message, but whatever she wanted to say with this one, she already did better with other songs. Whether it's an important moment on the album or an instant skip, that's up to the listener, but if I had to choose, I would've left only the last part of the preach and leave it as a 40 sec interlude. Highlight: none.

 

Candy Necklace

Continuing with the horror-like section of the album, Candy Necklace definitely shines with Jon Batiste's incredible, spooky piano playing and Lana's haunting melodies and vocals. I'm not a big fan of the lyrics, I've got to admit. Not my favorite on the album, but still a great song, and the chorus is surprisingly very catchy. Highlight: when the piano goes all freaky.

 

Jon Batiste Interlude

I remember reading some people comparing this to Pink Floyd's The Great Gig In the Sky and I can see why but this interlude, to me, it's just as unnecessary as the previous one. The repeated words get annoying and I hate that it's so so loud. Sure, the waves of sounds are cool and psychedelic, and it works nicely as an extended Candy Necklace outro, but yeah. Highlight: how trippy it gets.

 

Kintsugi

The horror section of the album is gone and we enter stripped-down territory. With its quiet yet evocative piano and country-like melody, the lyrics of this song are a beautiful celebration of having family as emotional support. It's very sincere of Lana to let us know how important her family is for her. Highlight: "Donoghue..."

 

Fingertips

Her most revealing song ever and also the emotional centerpiece of the album... A thread of depressing confessions, revelations and reflections on many forms of death, it's even way too much to take. I don't think I've ever cried so hard with a Lana song on first listen. The mournful lullaby melody and those waves of gentle string, and also the rhythmless composition hit really deep for me. I am so thankful she released something like this. Also she says my name twice lol. Highlight: The "Find your astral body" part and also her voice during the "Have a baby at sixteen" part. Wow.

 

Paris, Texas

For some reason I wasn't as excited for this one, but I'm surprised. Lyrics become way less heavy and important now, letting that melody shine. This is one of the most gorgeous vocal momoments on the entire LP. I love the medieval vibes... I certainly wish the lyrics were richer but it's nice having this one setting a lighter tone for what's to come. Highlight: "Down in Florence, Alabama".

Grandfather please stand on the shoulders of my father while he’s deep-sea fishing

Heartwarming melody, epic build-up, great vocal production, love the sax. The lyrics are rather confusing, or at least the message. I wish the outro wasn't the same as the intro. Highlight: production.

 

Let the Light In

Not my favorite song, but it's such a beautiful collaboration and the chorus gets stuck in my head. I don't think it has any purpose on the narrative of the album, but rather an opportunity to finally have FJM on an album of hers. Highlight: the chorus.

 

Margaret

Wow, this song exceded all my expectations! I love it, it's such a great wedding song, very dynamic and showcases Lana and Jack as collaborators and friends. I'm so happy this song exists. Highlight: "By the way, the party's December 18!"

 

Fishtail

Not much to say, more of a mood song. The lyrics are weak af. Highlight: the melody?

 

Peppers

Serving Born to Die demo! With the lyrics, melodies and that surf vibe. Such a cool song. Yes, the Tommy part sounds muffled, they could've fixed that, but it's not that bad. Also "...we've been kissing, so whatever he has, I have" is such a good (and dark) lyric. Highlight: the whole "Wipeout!" part.

 

Taco Truck x VB

My most anticipated track, as Venice Bitch is one of my top 3 Lana songs. It's really good, but it should've been more epic. Can't wait to hear it live! Highlight: "Lanita".

 

 

You did Let The Light In so wrong smh . No narrative purpose? The entire album was building up to that moment!

[mssainttropez 14,759]

1 minute ago, Doll Harlow said:

 

Fingertips deserves more

Sadly the locals just don’t get it like we do 

[Lanaparadiserey 23,567]

As someone who isn’t necessarily a fan of Jack, it really pisses me off to see people who constantly disapprove of Lana working with Jack. Jack has allowed her to feel more comfortable in the studio and she needed that to get some things off her chest that I don’t know if she ever would have if she continued working with her old team. 

[Brightsun 1,263]

i bought the vinyl today and new vinyl player 

[cherrytropico 11,076]

i knew lana would bring ajayll back  she heard peppers and taco truck and knew she had to make a comeback 

[The Stargirl Pinky 71,658]

1 minute ago, Brightsun said:

i bought the vinyl today and new vinyl player 

Do you recommend a specific vinyl player? I’m thinking about stopping by my local record store and buying one too

[Lanaparadiserey 23,567]

Grandfather is so quiet on vinyl??? Am I the only one experiencing this😭

[missamericatrash 796]

3 minutes ago, The Stargirl Pinky said:

Do you recommend a specific vinyl player? I’m thinking about stopping by my local record store and buying one too

 Audio Technica!! They aren't cute like ones at Urban Outfitters, but in my opinion they are the best quality. Also any of their headphones 

[Jeanne Dielman 5,982]

9 minutes ago, LifeOnMars said:

Fingertips being the least streamed song… Undeserved but I understand why. Happy to see A&W doing so well. It’s something different for Lana and such a great song. 

A&W is monumental and I hope that it’s just a taste of what’s to come in terms of Lana experimenting with structure and tempo changes/style shifts within a single song. She already experimented a bit on Black Bathing Suit, Text Book and Taco Truck (Fishtail, Candy Necklace and Peppers to a lesser extent, too) but what she managed to achieve with A&W is truly astonishing. 
 

 

[sadness is a butterfly 5,795]

2 minutes ago, The Stargirl Pinky said:

Do you recommend a specific vinyl player? I’m thinking about stopping by my local record store and buying one too

AudioTechnica LP60 is about the lowest priced one that’s good. As long as it’s not a suitcase player! I started with an LP60 and then bought a preowned Orbit UTurn.

 

The LP60 has a built in preamp so you can just plug it right into powered speakers for the easiest configuration.  

[Pink Flamingo 17,145]

2 minutes ago, Jeanne Dielman said:

A&W is monumental and I hope that it’s just a taste of what’s to come in terms of Lana experimenting with structure and tempo changes/style shifts within a single song. She already experimented a bit on Black Bathing Suit and Taco Truck (Fishtail and Peppers to a lesser extent too) but what she achieved with A&W is truly astonishing. 
 

 

A&W feels so carefully crafted, that song is insane! 

I hope she experiments more with her next record and I hope she works with new producers, Drew Erickson is her weakest producer imo, next album produced by Mike Dean and Jack, idk who else would you suggest?

[DZKSLEFTNUT 486]

11 minutes ago, Doll Harlow said:

 

Fingertips deserves more

What’s interesting about Fingertips though is that it’s one of the more viewed songs on Genius of the album. Goes to show at least the people streaming it are streaming it for the right reasons and that is the lyrics

[Jeanne Dielman 5,982]

Just now, Selfloathinpoet said:

A&W feels so carefully crafted, that song is insane! 

Absolutely! LDR10’s soundscape being in the vein of A&W, Candy Necklace, first half of Taco Truck, and - yes - the instrumentals of the interludes would be a dream! 

[mostexoticflwr 1,043]

candy necklace is so ultraviolence coded from the lyrics to the production to jon batiste’s minuscule vocals at the end like idk it literally feels like it could be sandwiched in between ultraviolence and shades of cool