The debut album by Lana Del Rey has become the first release of the New Year to have CD duplication companies busy, as it has sold over 116,745 copies since its release in January – with sales of CD copies accounting for a significant percentage of this. The success of the album, entitled Born To Die and issued by Polydor, represents a major boost for the industry during a period that is traditionally slow in terms of sales.
The major sales for the American singer’s release, despite the album receiving middling reviews from music critics in both Britain and America, indicates that her music is certainly appealing to the general public. The success of the album in the UK has been matched elsewhere as it has gone on to top the charts across 14 countries, with huge sales of download and CD copies. Del Rey, who began by singing in the church choir in her hometown of Lake Placid, has thanked her fans on Twitter for making the release such a success:
“Thank you for making the record #1 in 11 countries,” Del Rey tweeted, before going on to add:
“Your sweet words have softened the effect of even the harshest reviews. I love you.”
Del Rey has been subject to criticism from reviewers and on the internet, on the grounds of authenticity; with suggestions that her decision to change her name – having previously recorded under her real name of Elizabeth Grant – coupled with rumours of big label backing, undermines her claims to grass roots independence.