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Lana Del Rey releases video for Ultraviolence dressed as abused bride

The haunting video depicts the singer alone in a white dress

Antonia Molloy
Thursday 31 July 2014 17:51 EDT
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Lana Del Rey in the video for "Ultraviolence"
Lana Del Rey in the video for "Ultraviolence" (Lana Del Rey/Instagram)

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Lana Del Rey has released the much anticipated video for “Ultraviolence”, the title track on her new album, whose haunting lyrics describe an abusive relationship.

Dressed as a bride, a lone Del Rey was captured on film using just an iPhone.

“He hit me and it felt like a kiss,” she sings, quoting The Crystals’ 1962 song of the same name.

“He hurt me but it felt like true love.”

At certain points in the video a man’s fingers are seen touching Del Rey’s lips and entering her mouth.

The song has been criticised for romanticising domestic violence.

But others would say that the lyrics tap into the complexity of violent relationships.

The single, which was produced Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, is the second from the album and will go on sale on 17 August.

Del Rey is no stranger to controversy. Last month she sparked outrage by saying she "wishes she was dead already".

In an interview with The Guardian the "Blue Jeans" singer said that her life was “one f***ed movie”.

“That's just how I feel. If it wasn't that way, then I wouldn't say it. I would be scared if I knew [death] was coming, but…” she said.

When asked if stars that die young are “glamorous”, she replied: “I don't know. Ummm, yeah.”

She later hit back at the interviewer for asking “calculating” and “leading” questions.

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