Lana del Rey

Ultraviolence(Polydor)

lanadelrey.com

Black Keys’ singer-guitarist Dan Auerbach really pushes pop singer Lana del Rey to explore a different sound on her latest album, which he produced. That much is apparent right from the start as the opening number “Cruel World” is a trippy number that features hushed vocals and a Middle Eastern melody. “Shades of Cool” features fluttering vocals and a nice string arrangement. With its twangy guitars and smoky vocals, the woozy “West Coast,” the disc’s first single, is the best track here as its dark and moody trip-hop textures recall Portishead and/or Tricky. Ultimately, the songs here put too much emphasis on atmosphere and not enough on hooks. But it’s still a step forward for the singer who describes herself as a “gangsta Nancy Sinatra.”

This article appears in Jun 18-24, 2014.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.