Well that was mind-blowing. Anthony Mandler and Lana’s vision for the end of what has to be one of the most beautifully memorable eras in pop music was just unveiled. I could never have dreamt of bringing to life three of the most incredible songs from The Paradise Edition in such a poetic, haunting and just manner. Closure for a new era has never felt so certain. The premiere last night came hand in hand with the announcement of ULTRAVIOLENCE, the new album and creative vision from Del Rey.
You can experience TROPICO below. It features Body Electric (set in the Garden of Eden), Gods & Monsters (set in modern day Los Angeles) and Bel Air (in a conceptual and ethereal world). Taking on board the creative license to use excerpts from Ginsberg’s HOWL and inspiration from Marilyn, Walt Whitman, Jesus and Elvis – characters that have been so intrinsically tied to the lyrical content of Del Rey’s body of work, the short is lit with the most phenomenal colour palate reminiscent of the lovechild of Aronofsky and Almodovar. It’s brilliant and gripping, yet beautifully subtle and fucked up simultaneously.