Lana Del Rey has confirmed plans for a new album titled White Hot Forever, due out September 5th.
The album will be Del Rey’s first since Norman F*cking Rockwell, released in August.
Del Rey opened her announcement post on Instagram by slamming critics who say her lyrics are anti-feminist or that she glamorizes abuse. Del Rey name checked Beyoncé, Camilla Cabello, Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande and other mostly female musicians of color in the lengthy statement.
“Now that Doja Cat, Ariana, Camila, Cardi B, Kehlani and Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé have had number ones with songs about being sexy, wearing no clothes, f*cking-, cheating, etc – can I please go back to singing about being embodied, feeling beautiful by being in love even if the relationship is not perfect, or dancing for money – or whatever I want – without being crucified or saying that I’m glamorizing abuse?” Del Rey asked.
Del Rey said she is “not not a feminist” and is looking for a place in feminism for “women who look and act” like her. She said she has been “slated mercilessly” for being her “authentic, delicate” self. Del Rey said she feels she “paved the way” for other women to be able to stop “putting on a happy face” and freely express themselves in their music.
After facing criticism online, Lana clarified her comments: “To be clear because I knowwwwww you love to twist things,” she wrote in the comments section of her post. “I f*cking love these singers and know them. that is why I mention them.”
She added: “I would also like to have some of the same freedom of expression without judgment of hysteria,” she clarified.
Del Rey also addressed the fact that many of the female artists she mentioned in her original post are women of color via Instagram story, writing, “Bro. This is sad to make it about a WOC issue when I’m talking about my favorite singers. I could’ve literally said anyone but I picked my favorite f*cking people.” She added: “And this is the problem with society today, not everything is about whatever you want it to be. It’s exactly the point of my post – there are certain women that culture doesn’t want to have a voice it may not have to do with race I don’t know what it has to do with. I don’t care anymore but don’t ever ever ever ever bro- call me racist because that is bullsh*t.”
Del Rey also posted a video clip with the hashtag #f*ckoff.
In addition to her new album, Del Rey said she is working on two books of poetry. She shared cover art for her spoken-word poetry book Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass in April.
