Lana Del Rey has been keeping both me and the rest of her fans on their toes—and slightly aggravated—for most of 2021 regarding the release date of her most recent album, Blue Banisters.

The album was originally supposed to be released to the public on July 4th of this year. However, when that day rolled around, she posted on her Instagram with a caption reading, “Album out later… Single out soonish. Have a good fourth.” This extremely disappointing news dampened my spirits, as I was anticipating a phenomenal tracklist to play in the background of my Fourth of July. However, my grudge against Del Rey was not held for long. When she actually released Blue Banisters on Oct. 22nd, I was absolutely blown away.

Del Rey’s music style has encompassed the definition of melancholy and tranquility for many years from Chemtrails Over The Country Club to Born to Die. With Blue Banisters, she accentuated both her style and talents in a beautiful and different way.

The first track in the album, titled “Text Book,” begins with an ominous and mysterious tone. Multiple times throughout the song, Del Rey hints towards a longing for a father figure, as if hers was never truly invested in her life. She also sings, “You’ve got a Thunderbird, my daddy had one, too,” which hints at the fact that she sees aspects of her own father in a significant other. This was a sorrowful, yet beguiling way to open her eighth album.

“Dealer,” the ninth track in Blue Banisters, is, in my opinion, the best song on the album. Accompanied by English musician Miles Kane, Del Rey introduces a new, aggressive side of her, and I absolutely adored it. The tune of “Dealer” gives off bluesy and burlesque vibes that I could not get enough of. In the chorus, Del Rey sings the lyrics, “I don’t wanna live, I don’t wanna give you nothing, ‘cause you never give me nothing back. Why can’t you be good for something? Not one shirt off your back.” Not only does she perfectly depict a one-sided relationship, but the way that she sings this line with such passion is awe-inspiring. “Dealer” is an astounding song, and definitely plays a prominent part in the overall success of Blue Banisters.

The fifteenth and final track on the album is “Sweet Carolina.” This song was written for Del Rey’s sister, Caroline “Chuck” Grant, who recently gave birth to her first child. The term “baby blues”—which is used repeatedly throughout the song—is another name for postpartum depression, which can happen to a new mother who fears that she is unprepared for parenthood. In the chorus, Del Rey sings, “Baby blues, baby blues, if things ever go wrong, just know this is your song, and we love you.” These lyrics signify Del Rey’s willingness to stand by and support her sister no matter what difficulties she encounters during parenthood. Along with that, the chorus of “Sweet Carolina” encapsulates the angelic essence of Del Rey’s voice. I am nowhere near exaggerating when I say that I almost cried the first time I heard this—it is an absolutely beautiful addition to the album.

Blue Banisters was everything I was hoping for and more. Del Rey has never failed to amaze me with her powerful words and smooth, velvety voice. Even though I had to wait almost four agonizing months longer than I was expecting, the anticipation was truly worth it once I pressed play on yet another wonderful work of art by Lana Del Rey.