Del Rey has described her music as ”gangster Nancy Sinatra” and ”Hollywood sadcore”. She looks like a 1940’s movie star and carries herself with a glamorousness that is very rare today. Her voice is soothing, it’s quiet, and it’s vulnerable. It is safe to say that she stands out among her peers.

Despite Video Games only being out for four months, there has already been quite the controversy surrounding Del Rey, her image and perhaps not surprisingly enough, her lips.

Lana Del Rey, 25, is a native New Yorker born Elizabeth Grant. She describes herself as ”a writer first and a singer second.” What seems to be so enchanting about her, apart from her music, is that Girl-Next-Door sex appeal together with the ego of a superstar. Her image suggest the bold confidence of a femme fatale, yet Del Rey on stage is a seemingly insecure and shy girl. However, that is part of her charm. Not unlike Marilyn Monroe, Del Rey manages to make the audience feel a nurturing, supportive mother-bird feeling towards her, forgiving any mistakes she might make during interviews or on stage. Another aspect of her success is her Do-It-Yourself image that has made her relatable to the audience. Del Rey’s videos are self-made with webcam shots of her lip syncing to the songs, as well as a compilation of random clips she has collected.

On the other hand, Del Rey has admitted that her stage name was chosen by managers, deriving from the combination of the late old Hollywood actress Lana Turner and Ford Del Rey, the car produced by Ford Motor Company in Brazil. Del Rey has also stated in an interview that she initially wanted to be a band, but the label thought she should be solo project. With the authenticity and indie quality of her music, the facts of corporate decisions regarding her carrier and image seem to confuse the audience and leave them hanging with a question mark.

And then there’s the lips. The lip injections seem to be another antithesis to the authenticity of her music, for some people. The lips certainly do not affect her music, but they do add to the controversy which has made her an even more talked about topic.

Maybe it’s the mystery of Del Rey’s story together with her music that is enchanting the audience, which on a side not doesn't seem to be sure if she is parodying the superstar or trying to be one. Is she self-made or created by men in suits behind desks? Are we seeing the real Lana or are we seeing what she is trying to be?

No matter what the answer is, the magical and authentic quality of Del Rey’s music is undeniable. This girl does have a nack for writing good songs. With overproduced pop songs on the radio and bridges between genres blurring each day, maybe Del Rey is just what the music world needs right now.

Her album Born To Die is due to be released on January 30th 2012.

Watch Video Games below.