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3 of Lana Del Rey’s Greatest Collaborations

Lana Del Rey has returned with another high-profile duet, appearing on Zach Bryan’s piano ballad “Lies”. The single is taken from Bryan’s latest EP, Young Manhood And Other Donatable Organs. And it continues Del Rey’s history of epic collaborations, as you’ll hear below.

“Woman” with Cat Power

Chan Marshall, who records and performs as Cat Power, left her longtime record label, Matador, in 2018. While recording her 10th LP, Wanderer, the label tried nudging Marshall toward Adele-type hits. So she left and signed with Domino Records. “Woman” is the only Wanderer track recorded after the split with Matador, and it finds Marshall collaborating with Del Rey on a ghostly, resilient duet.

I’m a woman of my word, now haven’t you heard?
My word’s the only thing I’ve ever needed.
I’m a woman of my word, now you have heard,
My word’s the only thing I truly need
.

“Snow On The Beach” with Taylor Swift

In this Midnights track, Taylor Swift compares the strangeness of falling in love to watching it snow on the beach: “weird, but f***ing beautiful.” Co-produced with Jack Antonoff, the wistful synths accumulate like little clouds only found in tender visions. Del Rey’s voice blends with Swift’s. They sound beamed in from another dimension. They name-check Janet Jackson, navigate “pocketsful” of stars, and flitter together inside an ethereal dream-pop world.

One night, a few moons ago,
I saw flecks of what could’ve been lights.
But it might just have been you,
Passing by unbeknownst to me
.

“Breaking Up Slowly” with Nikki Lane

Nikki Lane joins Del Rey on a dusty number about the slow anguish of a doomed relationship. The duo nods to the chaotic romance of George Jones and Tammy Wynette. We hear tired voices, left with just enough energy to beg their lovers to stop sending flowers. This is Americana noir via Del Rey’s Chemtrails Over The Country Club. And like any great country tune, “Breaking Up Slowly” zooms in on despair—when the relationship is so bad that loneliness feels like a win.

George got arrested out on the lawn,
We might be breaking up after this song.
Will he still love me long after I’m gone?
Or did he see it coming all along?

Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images

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