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Live Review: WATCH: Lana Del Rey 'Ride' (Official Video)

18 October 2012 | 12:00 pm | Rebecca McCann

The latest video masterpiece from divisive Indie buzz artist Lana Del Rey is either an enlightening portrayal of an enigmatic artist or a savvy sales pitch.

The latest video masterpiece from divisive Indie buzz artist LANA DEL REY: a poignant and enlightening portrayal of a genuine artist, or just another expertly produced tidbit to market a desirable product?

Often disturbing Americana-themed imagery of a prostitute and her reckless biker lifestyle or a highly stylised declaration of a raw and vulnerable soul – watch the video for 'Ride' and make your call.

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Lyrically, 'Ride' reads like the manifesto of a tragically damaged woman whose Daddy issues are not implied but explicitly stated. This girl's Mother glamourised the very insecurities that define and direct her journey towards a dangerous lifestyle drenched in debauchery, labelling the girl a "chameleon". 

The song itself goes for about 5 minutes, and the video is an epic short film of just over 10.

'Ride' is arguably one of the strongest single from the artist since her breakthrough 'Video Games'. As is the artist's style,'Ride' is a song that is sombre-to-the-point-of-morbidity. Gratuitous virtual nudity and a hyper-sexualised portrayal of femininity are ever-present, LANA DEL REY rides in search of the ultimate American Dream, and towards the edge of insanity, in a perpetual pursuit of Freedom under the stars and stripes.

Opening with grand and stunning wide-screen footage of a Nevada desert, and leading into clips of DEL REY with men of varying ages, garnered in various decorative attire (see: tattoos). The moments of intimacy that follow include a brutish biker combing her hair, and the protagonist turning a pistol on a lover.

LANA DEL REY boasts a genuine sex appeal, in the vein of Monroe – unpredicatable, hard to define and impossible to deny. Love her or hate her, hers is a fascinating tale of a self-made Superstar, and every offering is another piece in the intriguing puzzle of her talent, life and style.

The leading lady in this story believes in "the kindness of strangers" - ironically, she has good reason to. Millions of strangers adore her and will continue to buy her records, no doubt.

'Ride' can be heard on her 3rd extended play Paradise, or the repackaged version of Born To Die, creatively dubbed the Paradise Edition.

Words by Rebecca McCann, check out her street on POSSE.COM