Lana Del Rey Announces “Lasso,” Her First Country Album!
Lana Del Rey, the 38-year-old singer-songwriter, has surprised her fans by announcing her first country music album, “Lasso.” She made the announcement at the Billboard pre-Grammy event on January 31st, 2024. She was nominated for five awards at the event, including Album of the Year and Best Alternative Music Album. Her previous release was titled “Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd“.
“Lasso” will be her 10th studio album and third in the last four years. She will work with her regular collaborator Jack Antonoff. She will also work with country music producer Luke Laird. Luke Laird has worked with artists like Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, and Kacey Musgraves. The album is expected to be released in September 2024.
🚨 Lana Del Rey announces new country album, ‘Lasso’ coming out soon. PIC.TWITTER.COM/4HGHSMTB1H
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) FEBRUARY 1, 2024
The title “Lasso” suggests a change in theme to Americana and rural imagery. This is different from her typical style of cinematic and nostalgic pop. Del Rey has been experimenting with country music recently. She performs covers of country classics like Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man” and John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” at her concerts. She also previewed a new country song, “Henry, Come On,” on her Instagram, which received positive feedback from her followers.
The announcement of “Lasso” generated excitement and anticipation among fans, with some eager to hear her take on country music. “I can’t wait to hear Lana’s country album. She has such a unique voice and style. I think she will bring something fresh and original to the genre,” said one fan on Twitter. Another fan commented, “Lana is always evolving and experimenting with different sounds. I love that she is not afraid to try new things and challenge herself as an artist.”
However, some fans expressed concern that the shift in genre might not align with her usual style and identity. “I’m a bit worried that Lana is going to lose her essence by going country. I love her for her dark and melancholic songs, not for her twangy and upbeat ones,” said one fan on Reddit. Another fan said, “I hope Lana doesn’t sell out and conform to the mainstream. Country music is not her thing. She should stick to what she does best and what makes her unique.”
Music critics are also waiting to see how Del Rey blends her signature sound with the conventions of country music. “Lana Del Rey is one of the most distinctive and influential artists of our time. She has created a sound and aesthetic that is unmistakably hers. It will be interesting to see how she adapts to the country genre, which has its own rules and traditions,” said one music journalist. Another music critic said, “Lana Del Rey has always been a genre-bender. She has incorporated elements of hip-hop, rock, jazz, and folk into her music. I think she has the potential to make a great country album, as long as she stays true to herself and her vision.”
Del Rey will headline several festivals this summer. These include Reading & Leeds, Primavera Sound, Hangout Festival, and Coachella. She is returning to Coachella after ten years. It was at Coachella in 2012 that she debuted “Video Games,” the song that launched her career and received critical acclaim.
“Lasso” is a new song by mainstream artists who are exploring country music. This trend is being followed by Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, and others. Country music is becoming very popular right now, with more people listening to it and streaming it than ever before. According to Billboard, country music accounted for 9.1% of the total U.S. music consumption in 2023, up from 8.7% in 2022.
Lana Del Rey is known for her cinematic and nostalgic pop music, which has earned her a loyal fan base and multiple awards. With “Lasso,” she is venturing into new territory and exploring a different side of her musicality. Whether she will succeed or fail in this endeavor remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: she will not leave anyone indifferent.
