How Lana Del Rey Writes an Indie Song | Artist Analysis S2E4

How Lana Del Rey writes a song. Learn how to sing, produce, and mix in the style of Lana Del Rey.

►► Get your FREE guide "The 7 Steps to a KILLER Indie Song"

What is about Lana Del Rey's songwriting & melodic style that feels so heartwarming and believable?

Why do her productions sound so "indie" even though her records are produced by world-class pop producers?

Finally, how can you and I use these musical concepts and approaches we're about to explore to make our own music better? Let's talk about it...

[greenluxi]

I feel like what makes Lana's music so appealing is her commitment to the bit. She doesn't break the fourth wall of the cinematic universe she created in her body of work. She allows for the fantasy to be taken at face value, she plays the coked up pin up night club singer role perfectly, and doesn't apologize for the theatrics. She allows the listener to simply escape and accept her character. In many ways, Lana is a character, you follow her through her albums as you would a protagonist of a serialized show or a book. She makes you accept the weird "love me daddy" moments as not necessarily wholesale authentic, but certainly authentic to the cannon of her persona. She's not afraid to be lush when it calls for it, she's not afraid to be lofi when it calls for it, and it's all housed in this fantastical presentation of old Hollywood/retro LA Life-in all its glamour and tragedy.

Somewhat ironically, it's who she is outside of the character that has garnered her even more criticism than the clear problematicness of the Lana persona. Yes, there have been scandals earlier in her career about whether or not she was "romanticizing" abuse, self-harm, and toxic relationships---but eventually, as she stay committed to her persona through her music it reinforced that this was the world she was going to give us, and you could either accept it and live in the fantasy with her, or not listen. She's not the comfortable practical shoe, she's the stiletto and isn't afraid of being that.

Lana's music evokes a feeling that you are in a movie, that you are watching someone's life through a lens, she uses lush production like a film director uses glamour lighting to make their stars seem otherworldly, she uses lofi techniques to make you feel like you are watching a retro home video on super 8 films. Lana's music is intrinsically aesthetic, and I think it's a big reason why her massive popularity started with Tumblr, she's vibes, she's aesthetics, she's a character in a movie that can withstand tragedy and taboo love in a way that wouldn't fit with Lana the person, but does with Lana the artist.

[Philosophyaddict]

One of the things that I adore the most in Lana’s Songs is the TRANSITIONS like the ones in text book, black bathing suit & Carmen, it’s crazy for me how well put together those songs are! I feel like Lana has her own genre.

[qfklcvy]

Also her bridges are always slaying! Especially in Honeymoon and Ultraviolence! Let's see what Did you know that there is a tunnel under Ocean Boulevard will have to offer for us.

[paduanicoc.]

Lana Del Rey is another kind of genre. Her melodies, tone, lyricism and sound is just incomparable especially today's artist.

[luisarmentaartist]

Her style is so cool. Ive been recreating her style for years

[cassiuscruz]

I love this. Her music has always deserved to be engaged with on this level. There’s so much there

[MemphisFitz]

Great analysis! Thats why i never get bored of her music since 2012, everything is just perfectly done to the absolute limit. Her music is my biggest inspiration.
To the 3rd point i can add, if you listen to the Instrumental of Salvatore in the Bridge when the piano plays the high arpegio chords you hear how incredibly flawed it is played but you never realized that in the full song with her voocals over it.

[MrArchetypes]

You can hear Lana smoke her vape in the song White Dress. It’s like an imperfection on purpose

[feebleSweden]

Great analysis. I learn a lot from your videos. Time to find my mix voice 🙂

[kalimistakidou]

I love Lana! It’s just a bummer that I can’t karaoke any of her songs ( especially White Dress) 😢😂

[palemoonlight]

This is a fantastic video, thank you
truly showcases why her unique mixture of melodies and singing feel so authentic and artistic and still enjoyable and easy to love

[Annoyedblvrd]

Well my boyfriends n a band 😖 I cry Everytime I hear Brooklyn baby

[MkelCccHello]

She is totally weird with a strange thought process!❤

[niceprincesslucky]

Wow thank you for this, it was eye opening! ❤ Lana

[haze_lee]

thats probably why i was never satisfied with how i mix my vocals, because everyone keeps telling me to boost the highs and discard the lows, even when my mix sound like it needs more mids and bass than highs.

[gaston_urtubae]

thank you for sharing your analysis <3

[darksideofthemoon]

Can you do Ethel Cain next. She has a unique voice very loose and beautiful in my opinion.

[adg]

Can’t get enough of this video. I bet 45% of the views it’s me!

[suesantos]

Would you please add a closed caption on your videos please? I am still working on my skills on listening to English, since my mother language is portuguese, so I don't get everything you say! 🙈

[suzannehurley]

I figured it out it’s the best of Marilyn Monroe