Review by DONNA BALANCIA
Lana Del Rey has released “White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter,” an emotive, beat-driven love song that blends vintage symphony sound with ASMR and rap in an Americana setting.
It’s a tall order for the dramatic songstress whose legacy may inevitably be that she is not afraid to mix new — and revived — sound, and wrap it lovingly around her creations.
In “White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter,” Del Rey accentuates the love for her husband, Jeremy Dufrene, and seems delighted to regale listeners about the possibility that love can occur when and from whom you may least expect it.
The track conjures a mysterious 1950s Egyptian orchestra, complete with rising strings, set against a lyrical image of Del Rey humbly cooking in the kitchen in a far-away cabin in the woods. The track may or may not represent a shift in genre, but there is an overarching “down home” feel of John Deere and dirt, a far cry from Hollywood. The track is the third from her upcoming album, appropriately titled “Stove.”
“Everyone knows I had some trouble
But it’s been three summers
I know it’s strange to see me cooking
For my husband, but it’s
Positively voodoo, everything that you do
Did you know exactly how magical you are?
Whoopsie-daisy, yoo-hoo, yelling, “I love you”
Out to my white feather hawk tail deer hunter
Take my hand off the stove, hun
Yelling, ‘Yoo-hoo, dinner’s almost done’
Whoopsie-daisy, yoo-hoo, I imagine you do
Know how absolutely bad I’m with an oven
“You may seem surprised I’m cooking for my husband.”
The majestic violin score frames Del Rey’s airy vocals, which lend impactful and emotional inflection, succinctly capturing the listener’s ear. Del Rey ultimately proves she has a true love for not only a musical challenge, but for classic sounds. She’s been known to pay respect to, and generously share the spotlight with many favorite artists, including the likes of Joan Baez and Chris Isaak.
“White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter” was written by Del Rey along with her sister Chuck Grant, her brother-in-law Jason Pickens, and her husband Jeremy Dufrene. The single was produced by Del Rey and her long-time collaborator Jack Antonoff, and features co-production and strings by Drew Erickson. The single features mixing by both Dean Reid and Laura Sisk.
In an Instagram story Del Rey announced her new album is expected to be released in three months. Previous tracks released are “Bluebird” and “Henry come on.”
Listen to ‘White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter’ here:
