With Lana Del Rey’s latest album, Honeymoon, only a week away from being released, the 30-year old pop singer has released yet another track. Following the previous released singles (the title track, “High by the Beach” and “Terrence Loves You”), “Music To Watch Boys To” is another track that follows in the pop-noir direction that the artist has been incorporating in her dynamic. It’s a dark and lurid song that is more likely to elicit tears than smiles. Still, there’s no denying that this type of bleak songwriting is what Lana does best, and this track promises her fans another idiosyncratic and well-crafted album.
Starting out with an a cappella turn from Lana (albeit with vocals recorded in a very echoing way), the music is well-produced and soothing, but this seems like an afterthought compared to the lyrics, which find our heroine at her most seductive and mysterious. “Pink Flamingoes always fascinated me,” Lana sings, in what could be a reference to John Waters’ 1972 cult film. Lana also seems self-aware of the obvious sexuality in her songs, as she croons, “Putting on my music while I’m watching the boys” in the chorus.
A criticism that Lana has received (perhaps exclusively from her more feminist listeners) is that she often portrays herself as a slave to men. “Music to Watch Boy Too” certainly won’t debunk this accusation, as once again, she feels trapped in the role of a wounded woman stuck in a harrowing relationship. Still, she seems to desire affection from the opposite sex above anything, particularly as she sings “Live to love you / And I love to love you.”
Regardless of this notion, there’s always been a more subtle undertone to her songs that paints Del Rey more as a trickster than a victim. At one point, Lana sings “Perfect demon and living single / They never thought that I could be / I know what only the girls know / Lies can buy eternity.” It’s clear here that Lana feels more independent than she often lets on and may flaunt her sexuality just to get what she wants. This is evident as she sings, “I see you leaving / So I push record and watch you leave.” Well done, Lana.