My thoughts on enigmatic Lana Del Rey and ever eccentric Miley Cyrus

Lana Del Rey photo by Drew Gulian

Lana Del Rey… what other praises can there be said about her that have not been mentioned before? Here is a modern artist who has chosen not to embrace what is current and trendy. Instead, she went the opposite direction in her hopes to become an authentic representation of artists of the yesteryears, particularly in the likes of Nancy Sinatra who has musically influenced her greatly.

When you listen to Lana Del Rey’s songs and watch the music videos, it is hard to not notice that late 60’s to early 70’s aesthetic because it is all over the place. Even though you were not born in that specific era, it just feels so authentic that if you had played her music to those who grew up in those years they would believe she came from that era.

Her artistry gives more than a healthy serving of nostalgia or a relying on a throwback vibe. There is something that is palpable though a bit difficult to put your thumb on, and hard to pinpoint… but it is definitely real.

Why so? One could make the smart assumption that maybe in Lana Del Rey’s mind she believes wholeheartedly that she belongs to that era or should have belonged there. Indeed, the end results speak for themselves. Lana Del Rey is something else; surely, not your “everyday kind of an artist.”

Enigmatic… was one of the first adjectives that entered my mind after getting to hear a few tracks from Lana Del Rey a couple of years back. Until now, that is one of the first descriptive words that is on top of my head each time I listen to her music. She perfectly encapsulates that mysterious persona that beguiles me endlessly.

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The ever eccentric Miley Cyrus

There is no other way to say this without chuckling even a little bit but in all honesty, I find Miley Cyrus as an artist to be a “trip.” And don’t get me started there on her music. Though, to give credit to her… begrudgingly here now (whew!)… she does have a few decent tracks here and there.

It is mind boggling how she has gotten away with stuff. Yet, for some people, they can’t get enough of her. Look at it any way, it is like watching a “train wreck” over and over again some of her most infamous performances.

As for me, seeing those once is more than enough for me. I do not get a kick out of them.

Some of the things I have stumbled upon online… specifically, a few of her recorded live performances done overseas a few years ago… are still etched into my brain and hard to forget because she did go too far in them. I can compare it to eating something that was bitter and its unpalatable aftertaste still stuck at the back of your mouth is how I can best describe the experience after watching them.

Now, I can’t even go into detail what those stomach churning performances were because they were so explicit. I am well aware that there are kids who may read this article. Let me tell you, don’t even bother to watch Miley Cyrus. Just stick with her

‘Hannah Montana’ days.

In the grand scheme of things, I honestly wonder why Miley Cyrus turned out the way she has in the last five years because she did make an 180-degree transformation from what she was in her more innocent and wholesome years during her Disney tenure. C’mon, let’s get real here. It was not because she grew up, matured, and got older!

With everything that has transpired with her, one is left to believe that perhaps something gravely went wrong along the way which resulted in her becoming what she is today! Comparing the “Miley Cyrus of old” and what she is now… it would seem like they are worlds apart and no longer even the same person.

Surely it can’t be the same old and tired reasons of trying to be controversial, different and rebellious? Those common reasons of justifying such lewd and crude behavior have been played out to the max and have lost relevance already these days.

Now, you know why trying to figure out who Miley Cyrus really is… is like getting stuck in a maze with no clear end in sight. It is not worth dwelling deeply into it because you may not like what you will find or stumble upon.

I guess Miley Cyrus is just meant to be that way. Maybe it is her purpose for reasons beyond our comprehension. On the downside, the way she is… will perhaps continue to be our perception of her until the unforeseeable future.

Again, that is precisely why I refer to Miley Cyrus as a “trip.” You will just find yourself back to “square one”. Trying to figure her out is comparable to us getting lost in a maze.