Lana Del Rey - Violet Bent Backwards Over The Grass

Lana Del Rey is nothing if not celebrated for her lyrics. Take the now-iconic opening of latest album ‘Norman Fucking Rockwell!’ - “God damn man child, you fucked me so good that I almost said I love you.” It’s a perfect example of her sharp and sentimental way with words. So, expectations are obviously high for debut volume of poetry, ‘Violet Bent Backwards Over The Grass’. Accompanied by frequent collaborator, producer Jack Antonoff, who provides some cinematic and atmospheric twinkling backing, there are moments of magic. Standout ‘Sportcruiser’ finds Lana - or, more aptly, Elizabeth Grant - signing up for flying and sailing classes with people blissfully unaware of her superstar status, providing a beautiful glimpse into her vulnerability and her strive to trust in herself more. Elsewhere, however, are less poetically-romantic moments. Take ‘LA Who Am I To Love You’, where she describes the city lying next to her in bed “vaping lightly”; or the “Stay on your path, Sylvia Plath” rhyme in ‘Bare Feet on Linoleum’. While at times ‘Violet…’ shows Lana’s fine lyrical prowess, quotes primed for Tumblr captions, most of the time it’s more sixth former trying their best to impress at their first slam poetry event.