Is Lana Del Ray going country? It sure sounds like it…
The alt-pop star appeared at Billboard’s pre-Grammy event in Los Angeles on Wednesday, where she revealed her 10th studio album Lasso will be a country album coming out this September.
She explained that her producer Jack Antonoff (who also works with Taylor Swift) has followed her to Muscle Shoals, Nashville and Mississippi to work on the project over the last four years, adding that it’s partially a business move since “the music business is going country”:
“If you can’t already tell by our award winners and our performers, the music business is going country. We’re going country. It’s happening.
That’s why Jack has followed me to Muscle Shoals, Nashville, Mississippi, over the last four years.”
Now obviously, as a country fan, we know that it’s not as easy as just following the trends of the music business to find lasting success in the genre, but having pop singers like Del Rey attempt it nonetheless, is nothing new.
In terms of big music stars who probably respect, understand and appreciate country from an outside perspective, she’s one of the few I think could pull it off (similar to Post Malone or Kelly Clarkson).
For example, she’s covered John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man”, and more recently, appeared on The Ryman stage alongside Lukas Nelson to sing “Find Yourself.” She also appreciates the mainstream side of country, noting previously how much she loves Morgan Wallen’s music.
It’s hard to say whether Del Rey is going to break out all the fiddle, steel and banjos, but she actually teased what’s seemingly a track from the new record called “Henry, Come On” on Instagram recently where her voice sounds incredible:
And I’ll be honest, I don’t know her catalog super well, but from what I’ve seen and heard she’s a true artist and doesn’t just typically follow trends or make music that’s “popular.” I don’t expect this to be the country album of the year by any means, but based on her track record and musical prowess, I’m willing to give Lasso a chance and hope to really like it.
It can definitely be annoying when pop stars think they can just waltz in and make a “country album” (I think we all remember former Backstreet Boy AJ McClean’s disaster of a foray into country music), but I really don’t think this is going to be cheesy or bad in the slightest.
I’m sure Lana will definitely inject her own sound and style into the music, but that might actually be really cool and unique if it’s done right. She’s an incredibly talented artist and it will be interesting to see what she can pull off.
Country really is cool again, and the biggest names in music want a piece of the pie, so to speak…
Honestly, I thought her take on “Country Roads” was pretty damn cool… stay tuned.
“Take Me Home, Country Roads”
