Born to Die
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Born to Die Image
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62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critics What's this?

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8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1337 Ratings

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  • Summary: The full-length debut for the New York singer features the single Video Games, which appeared on the CW TV series Ringer.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 37
  3. Negative: 2 out of 37
  1. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Jan 30, 2012
    100
    A delicious hybrid of Portishead and Nancy Sinatra.
  2. Sputnikmusic
    Jan 27, 2012
    80
    Born to Die is a brilliant album, but it's one that leaves room for a few improvements, and inspires confidence that they'll happen.
  3. Q Magazine
    Feb 21, 2012
    80
    Confirms her as the most compelling new pop star around: half doomed romantic, half mordant cynic, with a distinctively conflicted vision of how love, fame and America work. [Mar 2012, p.94]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. The Observer (UK)
    Jan 30, 2012
    60
    Lana Del Rey's partying is fuelled by a knowing sadness, and sung in that laconic, hypnotic voice, which ultimately saves this thoroughly dissolute, feminist nightmare of a record for the romantics among us.
  5. Under The Radar
    Feb 10, 2012
    60
    So the question becomes, is Born to Die more good than bad, or vice versa? Let's err with the former, hype be damned.
  6. Pitchfork
    Jan 30, 2012
    55
    For all of its coos about love and devotion, it's the album equivalent of a faked orgasm-- a collection of torch songs with no fire.
  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Feb 3, 2012
    0
    I have done my best to place the album, as a series of utterances, in its agony and vacuity.

See all 37 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 184 out of 216
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 216
  3. Negative: 9 out of 216
  1. iamwhoiam
    Jul 21, 2017
    10
    nostalgic album
    magic she is so iconic i love her so much
    brig me moments i never had lana del rey the queen of alternative    nostalgic album
    magic she is so iconic i love her so much
    brig me moments i never had
    lana del rey the queen of alternative
    xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox    … Expand
  2. GFactor
    Jun 10, 2016
    10
    Definitivamente o melhor álbum de sua carreira! Músicas que soam muito bem somadas a letras fantásticas. As faixas não soam enjoativas eDefinitivamente o melhor álbum de sua carreira! Músicas que soam muito bem somadas a letras fantásticas. As faixas não soam enjoativas e atraem desde que se ouve pela primeira vez. Lana fez um excelente trabalho.… Expand
  4. SaDareA
    Jan 31, 2012
    10
    Having went and looked at many reviews by critics I am disgusted. Disgusted at the fact that none are really review the album. But in factHaving went and looked at many reviews by critics I am disgusted. Disgusted at the fact that none are really review the album. But in fact discussing Lana Del Rey (lips, one bad SNL performance, ext) Everything but the album itself really. This is one of the best and most cohesive albums I've heard in quite sometime. The similarity (if any) in some of the songs keeps the story of the album consistent. Songs on the album like "Carmen" "Lolita" "Dark Paradise" and "National Anthem" sound nothing alike. So I beg to differ with what some (Critics) have said thus Far. I'm glad that the buying public or those with sense have and are going to take time to give her a chance. Some have evaded what critics have said and went ahead previewed and then bought the album. Solely because they HEAR the music and not clouded with judgement of the artist. I wish Lana the best and hope more LISTEN to the album and understand it.… Expand
  5. ryanloveslana
    Mar 10, 2015
    9
    Greatly well-produced, her vocals are heavenly and lyrics are... somewhat understandable. Her first release via Interscope Geffen A&M, itGreatly well-produced, her vocals are heavenly and lyrics are... somewhat understandable. Her first release via Interscope Geffen A&M, it makes me upset at the contemporary critics whom exclusively judged her performance, but has not even reviewed this masterpiece. Standout tracks from this album are "Born to Die", "Blue Jeans", "Video Games", "National Anthem", "Lolita", and "Lucky Ones".… Expand
  6. sobreduardo
    Jan 27, 2017
    8
    An album full of intrigue and unbridled passions where an inexperienced and young Lana del Rey is finding the true love going through a seriesAn album full of intrigue and unbridled passions where an inexperienced and young Lana del Rey is finding the true love going through a series of unfortunate events.… Expand
  7. Belmsher
    Feb 4, 2012
    7
    Although cinnamon is not sweet, "Diet Mtn Dew" being blatantly ruined here and the lyrics for "This Is What Makes Us Girls" notably laughable,Although cinnamon is not sweet, "Diet Mtn Dew" being blatantly ruined here and the lyrics for "This Is What Makes Us Girls" notably laughable, Born To Die is, overall, a pretty nice album. It's now super trendy to hate Lana and attack her vocals and writing skills, not to mention the SNL performance and her background, but the fact is she has already had some not-so-good performances before being famous. Back in the days Pitchfork was writing about her all the time, it was so cool to love her.… Expand
  8. minimaldead
    Oct 24, 2016
    0
    One of the worstest albums ever. Lana was not ready for an album, she tryna to be an alternative icon, but its just a product of pop music.One of the worstest albums ever. Lana was not ready for an album, she tryna to be an alternative icon, but its just a product of pop music. She don´t have any talent, she can´t sing.… Expand

See all 216 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Most Discussed Album of 2012
5
#5 Most Shared Album of 2012

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