I have been planning to do a Lana Del Rey album review for quite some time now, and I was confidently set on writing about “Norman F****** Rockwell.” It’s always been my favorite album of hers, so it was a no-brainer. However, as of late, I have surprisingly been pulled towards “Blue Banisters,” one of her newer albums released in 2021. I wasn’t a big fan at first and believed that it was one of her more boring albums when compared to NFR and Ultraviolence. I listened to it again not too long ago and was so mad at my past self for even thinking that way. Now, I can confidently say that it is my favorite Lana album.
It is her eighth studio album, a folk and Americana record with jazz influences. It serves as an explanatory album where Lana can be truthful about her past and discuss the allegations and criticism she was facing from the public at the time. She even stated that she didn’t want anyone to listen to it and thus minimally promoted it before its release; it’s solely made to be there in case anyone is curious to hear her out.
The way I interpret the title is her holding on through a challenging period in her life. A banister is something you hold on to for safety, and the color blue represents sadness. A blue banister can symbolize her holding on to the safety provided by her friends and family while dealing with criticism from the public. What I find really cool about this record is that it’s honestly not meant to break charts and win awards; it is a personal project that Lana decided to share with her fans and nothing more. A space for her to share her side of the story in the midst of being villainized.
The album begins with a song titled “Text Book,” a ballad filled with gentle electric guitars, minimal instrumentals, and delicate vocals. It explores themes of nostalgia, as Lana reminisces on past relationships and compares them to the idealized love she read about as a child. She craves a “textbook” love, expressing a longing for understanding and emotional connection. It flows into the title track, which continues the ongoing theme of Lana yearning to feel loved. Lyrically, the song talks about a lover who never returns and leaves her to find strength and comfort within herself. The color blue symbolizes a shift from happiness to sorrow, as her banisters were previously painted yellow and were then repainted blue.
The third track, “Arcadia,” sounds more dramatic; it incorporates more piano and echoing guitars. The word “arcadia” refers to a state of innocence and perfection,one that sometimes feels unreachable. Throughout the whole song, Lana creates a layered narrative where she is stuck between looking back on the past and yearning for the future. Lana always has a particular narrative that she sticks to throughout her albums. “Blue Banisters” is no exception: it is filled with sadness and regret, but feelings of hope shine through.
A track that I think does a very good job of showing that is “Violets for Roses,” a sincere and vulnerable song. It explores themes of transformation and the bittersweet feelings of change. Lana reflects on the beauty of the fleeting nature of life. The title suggests a shift in perspective, a trade of one kind of beauty for another. Both violets and roses are known to be beautiful; however, while roses represent love and passion, violets represent innocence and inspiration. Lana chooses to focus on herself rather than this never-ending search for a picture-perfect love.
I wanted to talk about this album specifically now because spring is upon us, and I believe it to be the season of change and the blooming of the soul. I think this album represents that perfectly: a personal reflection and a truly transformative piece of work. “Blue Banisters” is a reminder to be gentle with yourself, thank your friends, and remember that everything in life is transient.
My ranking:
1: Thunder
2: Living Legend
3: Sweet Carolina
4: Arcadia
5: Violets for Roses
6: If You Lie Down With Me
7: Text Book
8: Blue Banisters
9: Nectar of the Gods
10: Cherry Blossom
11: Beautiful
12: Dealer
13: Wildflower Wildfire
14: Black Bathing Suit
