BY: Alexis Eichelberger

After teasing her fans with singles for nearly a year now, Lana Del Rey released her long sixth studio album last week. 

Del Rey made a name for herself with her debut album Born To Die, a phenomenal success for an alternative artist that’s been charting almost continuously ever since. Her notoriety grew with lyrics like, “My pussy tastes like pepsi cola,” and she’s been putting out sonically stunning collections ever since.

Norman Fucking Rockwell is 14 tracks that undoubtedly showcases some of the 34-year-old’s best work. It’s a sad Hollywood dream in which Del Rey’s haunting voices seems to rock you to sleep. It’s comforting and afflicting all at once.

Here are five of the best tracks on Norman Fucking Rockwell:

Norman fucking Rockwell

The album starts with a bang of a title track. The first lyrics we hear are enough to give us pause: “God damn man child / You fucked me so good that I almost said ‘I love you’ / You’re fun and you’re wild / But you don’t know half of the shit that you put me through.” Her irreverence is juxtaposed over a melody that sounds like it belongs in a 1950’s romantic film.

Fuck it I love you

Riddled with Calfornia references and nods to songs by her jazz and blues inspirations, “Fuck it I love you” subtlely shows off some of Del Rey best lyricism. A music video released last week combines the track and “The greatest,” and shows quintessential West Coast scenes like surfing in the pacific and coastal bar performances.

Venice Bitch

The third track on the album is nine and a half minutes, but it never feels too long or overdone. It smoothly transitions between glittering major and sorrowful minor melodies carried by cool guitar. The floating feeling the tune gives you is grounded with Del Rey’s customary injections of profanity.

Mariners Apartment Complex

One of the singles that came nearly a year before the album, “Mariners Apartment Complex” takes us to the seashore and sends you on an emotional journey. It’s vintage in sound and in the cool way Del Rey half-speaks the bridge before returning to her soprano croon in the chorus.

California

One of the most raw and emotional tracks on the album, “California” shows love, longing and regret in a pure sense. Del Rey speaks directly to the listener, comforting them with lyrics like “You don’t ever have to be stronger than you really are” and promising to make better days for the both of them.