Del Rey, Lana: Born To Die [INTERSCOPE]

It was released on January 27, 2012, through Interscope Records and Polydor Records. A reissue of the album, known as *The Paradise Edition*, was released on November 9, 2012, which included new material also available on a separate EP titled *Paradise*.

Prior to the album's release, Del Rey garnered attention with her 2011 singles "Video Games" and "Born to Die," which contrasted contemporary electronic and dance music with their cinematic sound and dramatic string arrangements. *Born to Die* is characterized by its baroque pop and trip hop influences, maintaining a cinematic feel throughout. Its lyrics explore themes of love, sex, and drugs, with strong references to 1950s and 1960s Americana. The album was the fifth best-selling album of 2012 globally. By 2023, it became the second album by a female artist to spend over 500 weeks on the US Billboard 200, where it reached number two, and topped the charts in Australia and several European countries, including France, Germany, and the UK.

The album was supported by four additional singles: "Blue Jeans," "Summertime Sadness," "National Anthem," and "Dark Paradise." "Summertime Sadness" reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Del Rey's highest-charting single in the US at that time. While *Born to Die* received a mixed critical reception—praised for its unique sound but criticized for its repetitiveness and melodramatic style—Del Rey's promotional image faced controversy. Some tabloid media accused her of presenting an inauthentic persona, which they claimed was a marketing strategy to appeal to the indie music scene. Despite the initial mixed reviews, the album has since been recognized in several "best-of" lists by publications like The Guardian and NME, contributing to Del Rey's cult status among music fans.