The video for Lana’s West Coast came out today. It’s obviously beautiful – in line with everything Del Rey has ever put into the world, ever. It brings to life the story of two lovers featured in the track itself, something uniquely accentuated by the varying tempos. It ends with an almost solitary self combustion scene a la Burning Desire.
Scenario number one set to the verses features a Lana full of life, on the literal West Coast with hero number one played by long time collaborator Bradley Soileau (Born To Die and Blue Jeans). Scenario number two set to the more melancholic choruses features an older lover in a more “money, notoriety and rivieras” Hollywood representation of the West Coast.
The final scenes can be interpreted in a multitude of ways, the end of the Born To Die era and the introduction of ULTRAVIOLENCE – the song itself as a bridge between two loverseras is a logical and natural conclusion, so by default the video itself would be representative of this. Bradley’s inclusion in terms of bridging/burning an era is wholly exemplary of this.
In a world where artists are consistently vying to outdo one another using music videos as a PR platform, the elegance and poetic simplicity of West Coast speaks volumes.
The video is directed by Vince Heycock, produced by Geoff McLean, with production by Vision Films.
