THE COMPLEX COVER profiles Lana Del Rey on the heels of her recently released fourth studio effort Lust for Life. In the interview – filmed at the Prohibition era-inspired, Hollywood hotspot No Vacancy and produced in the nostalgia-inducing style of the 50s and 60s she’s known for – Del Rey opens up to Complex’s Noah Callahan-Bever about the album’s overall lighter tone, explains her decision to weave elements of the current political climate throughout the record, reflects on her experience collaborating with her friends, explores her growth as an artist, and more.
Lana Del Rey Quotes From The Complex Cover interview
On the potential of her political songs alienating her core fan base
“You don’t negotiate when it comes to your work or your art. You stand totally firm and take the consequences. In terms of losing fans, I don’t care. Period.”
On how she’s grown as an artist since her first album Born to Die
“Maybe just the ability to integrate my own experiences with what I’m observing. To be able to reflect back, like a good mix of inner world [and] outer world.”
On the challenge of revealing a personal side musically as she achieved greater success
“I’ve never been somebody who turned away from really hard work… If I feel like I’m just not getting it right, I’ll just keep on trying different things until I feel like I’m hitting my stride in that department. I don’t know, finding your own path is not for the faint of heart…”
On infusing hip-hop into her album seamlessly
“I never feel like I’m not where I’m supposed to be… No matter who I’m with, I’m always doing my own thing. I can’t remember the last time I was in a club or somewhere and felt like, ‘Man, I’m not supposed to be here.’ I’ve been kind of doing it for so long, I feel like everybody I’m friends with, everyone I know just knows I’m all about the music.”
The Complex Cover is one of the latest original series from Complex, joining Sneaker Shopping, the No. 1 sneaker show on the web; Complex Live and Complex Con(versations), both available on go90; Everyday Struggle; and more.
