Vocals of honey and heartbreak have crafted Lana Del Rey’s signature cocktail of glamourous yet ghostly stories of nostalgia. Melodies of myth and mystery have shaped her first nine studio albums. Her newest anticipated release promises to carry on her legacy.
The official title was announced late last year. However, the album was teased in January of 2024 under the intended title of “Lasso”. The project underwent a second title change before Del Rey officially settled on “The Right Person Will Stay”.
In October of last year, in interviews with publications such as Vogue Italia and People Magazine, she shared that the project was reconsidered due to changes in the artistic and musical atmosphere. “So I don’t want to turn it into something that’s half cooked, even if it’s super stripped back. I want it to be what it was supposed to be,” Lana said.
A southern gothic sound influenced by elements of country is expected. As teased by Del Rey herself and supported by the collaborators on the album, such as highly sought-after songwriter and producer Luke Laird. He is most notably known for his work with Tim McGraw and many other award-winning country artists.
An official tracklist is yet to be released; fan speculation and rumor, however, serve up titles such as “Hey Blue Baby”, “Prettiest Girl in Country Music”, “I Must Be Stupid for Being So Happy” and “Roses Bloom for You”.
Her two singles released so far utilize twangy finger-plucked guitar and layered country textures to backdrop Del Rey’s lyrics of melancholy. They solidly establish the predicted country influences with the usage of common Southern slang and imagery.
The singles together express the sentiment that yes he left her, as they are all doomed to do. Painted first in the lyrics of Henry, Come On, Lana sang about hearing God say to her “You were born to be the one/To hold thе hand of the man /Who flies too close to thе sun”.
In Blue Bird, she expands on the imagery of Icarus to explain the habit of pushing her partner to fulfill their density of doom for the relationship. Sung in the chorus of Blue Bird “Just shoot for the sun ’til I can finally run”. A story of staying despite her belief the relationship is doomed. This resulted in self-sabotage by encouraging his pursuit of the sun.
The record starts strong with a carefully curated, old classic Southern tale of self-reflection. Primarily a reflection of her habits in love and losing it, most likely brought on by this being the first album she’s released since her recent marriage.
The foundation she’s built preceding the release and her historical thematic schemes of glamour, romance, and Americana. Fans can prepare for a record to continue her musical legacy that has defined and reshaped the sound of an entire generation.