Lana del Rey’s latest studio album: ‘Chemtrails over the country club’ became the fastest selling vinyl of the century by a female artist, selling 16,700 copies, in the first week of its release. The new release is her seventh album and fifth to chart at number one in the UK.
The album feels like a natural progression from Del Rey’s last release 2019 release Norman f*****g Rockwell!, littered with piano ballads. Del Rey’s sound has matured far from the seductive, poppy ‘Born to die’ days with ‘Chemtrails’ sounding like a jazzy ode to Americana. It’s easy to hear the Joni Mitchell influence which loams across the whole album, from the very first piano notes of the opening track ‘White Dress’.
‘White Dress’ is a raspy nostalgic plea from Del Rey; “my heads thinking of a simpler time. The title track, Chemtrails over the Country Club, is a glorious little earworm with a beautiful melody carrying on the nostalgia theme: “Meet you for coffee/ At the elementary schools/ We laugh about nothing”
‘Tulsa Jesus Freak’ takes a different route with a more techno sounds with some strange lyrics. The exact meaning is a little confusing but the reoccurring chant of ‘White heart forever’ gives some cult vibes. ‘Wild At Heart’ is the album centre piece, the verse and chorus feel like separate songs. The verses slower and Lana’s voice quieter and breathy, the lyrics most questioning and shy: “What would you do, if I told you, you make me crazy”. Whilst the chorus is stronger, the instruments more forceful and melodic and Lana more sure singing: “If you love me, then love me ‘cause I’m wild at heart”.
Yosemite Is a beautiful little folky number. Breaking Up Slowly, a duet with country singer Nikki Lane, is a nice little nonchalant break up song: “It’s hard to be lonely/But it’s the right thing to do”. Cementing Mitchell’s influence, closing the album is ‘For free’ a cover with Weyes Blood and Zella Day.
Chemtrails Over the country club is one of Del Rey’s strongest vocal performance show casing her wide range along with beautiful and glorious storytelling and music.
“There’s always turmoil and upheaval and in the midst of it -there’s always beautiful music too”.
Lana del Rey
Lucette Wood 