Music Review: Lana Del Rey - Lust for Life

By now, Del Rey's persona and esthetic are well established: a femme fatale who revels in moody numbers about bad boys. It’s been a successful formula where the 32-year-old singer’s blank stare reflected her music’s ennui. So what are we to make of Del Rey’s smiling face on her latest album? Has she found contentment? While the New York City native is still mired in toxic relationships, her concerns now about have more to do with the state of the planet. “When the World Was at War We Kept Dancing” finds her asking “Is it the end of America?” and “God Bless America—And All the Beautiful Women In It” is an ode to feminism. Best of all, there’s something close to joyful abandon on the Beatlesque “Tomorrow Never Came,” a duet with Sean Lennon. And Del Rey and Stevie Nicks luxuriate in the “sugar rush” of love on “Beautiful People Beautiful Problems.” Although still steeped in melancholy, Del Rey’s music is starting show hints of happiness.