Lana Del Rey, informally known as the “queen of alternative,” has recently awoken from her slumber in order to release her new album “Norman F****** Rockwell.” 

As an avid Twitter user, I can’t help but notice that the amount of buzz for her newest album has exponentially surpassed that of her last two albums. Lana Del Rey has reemerged as the talk of everyone’s Twitter feed, just as she was in 2014.

I think the most pivotal moment of my middle school career was when I dressed up as Del Rey for “Dress like your hero!” day. Dressed to the nines in my flower crown and black combat boots, I openly stated that Del Rey was a great role model (I conveniently forgot to mention that 80% of her songs were about sex and drugs.) Although not everyone has had that same experience, I think we all start to hear the soundtrack of “Born to Die” when we think about those horrible, prepubescent years. 

Within seconds of listening to NFW, it felt like the old Del Rey was back, with all the character from her earlier albums but with a more mature sound. Del Rey’s early albums were perfect for the middle school version of myself; her “sad girl” vibe was something I connected with like many other teens going through their emo phase. Her albums following, however, were riddled with features and seemed to lack cohesive concepts.

Until NFW, Del Rey and I seemed to be going different paths in life, yet with this album, we managed to find each other again. The album is filled with cinematic ballads that encapsulate old-hollywood tragedy; for example, “The Next Best American Record.” Del Rey draws inspiration from American life, but instead of focusing on the glamour that she had before, she focuses on her living reality.

This album seems to be the most personal from Del Rey. She left behind aesthetics and carefully created an album that sang of real experiences, human wreckage, and modern romance. Del Rey has grown from alt-pop hits of a romanticized american past to ballads signing of the contemporary hardships of her reality. 

The lead single “Norman f****** Rockwell,” opens with an orchestra that perfectly sets up the grandeur of the album. It felt like I was transported to some pivotal moment in a classic 1950’s film where I wave to my lover an a dock as he leaves for the Navy. Many instrumental solos are featured on the song that act as highlights of America’s musical past. 

One standout track, “Venice B***h” include everything from a Spanish guitar to 80’s synthesizers in the nine-minute adventure of a song. Del Rey seems to take a step back on vocals in an effort to showcase the wide variety of music that represents Venice, California. 

With the number of songs you can scream in the car with friends, “Norman F****** Rockwell” solidified itself as a defining album in Del Rey’s discography; especially one that put her back on top.