Arcadia (Lana Del Rey song)

"Arcadia" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey. It was released on September 8, 2021, by Interscope Records and Polydor Records as the second and final single from Del Rey's eighth studio album, Blue Banisters (2021). The song was written and produced by the singer alongside Drew Erickson. The song is named after Arcadia, California.

"Arcadia"
Single by Lana Del Rey
from the album Blue Banisters
Released	September 8, 2021 (2021-09-08)
Genre	Alternative pop
Length	4:23
Label	Interscope Polydor
Songwriter(s)	Lana Del Rey Drew Erickson
Producer(s)	Lana Del Rey Drew Erickson
Lana Del Rey singles chronology
"Blue Banisters" (2021) "Arcadia" (2021) "Watercolor Eyes" (2022)
Music video
"Arcadia" on YouTube

Critical reception

The song received critical acclaim from critics. In an article for the Los Angeles Times, Christi Carras described the song as a "languid new ballad" and music video as "love letters to Arcadia and Los Angeles".^[1] Writing for Spin, Sarah Grant called the single "elegant and elegiac", with Del Rey's vocals "liberated, clear-eyed, and mournful" as she "sings her origin story with an innocence". Grant further praised the track as an "astonishing farewell to an industry that trashed [Del Rey] from the beginning".^[2] Reanna Cruz from NPR acclaimed Del Rey's vocals as her "most mature tone yet" and wrote that the lyrics "carefully construct the very landscapes she describes", "[connecting] fully with her desired ethos".^[3] Writing for Consequence, Eddie Fu praised the song's "piano-driven production", calling it a "seductive track".^[4]

Music video

The music video for "Arcadia" was released on YouTube alongside the song on September 8, 2021.^[5] It was directed by Del Rey,^[6] although the singer stated on Twitter that it was "directed by nobody".^[7] An alternate video was released on October 7, 2021.^[8]

Live performances

On October 22, 2021, Del Rey appeared on the American late-night talk show, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and performed "Arcadia".^[9]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.^[10]

• Lana Del Rey – writer, vocals, producer, wind and string arrangements
• Drew Erickson – writer, producer, piano, synthesizer, organ, wind and string arrangements, mixing
• Jacob Brown – cello
• Wayne Bergeron – trumpet
• Dan Fornero – trumpet
• Dan Rosenbom – trumpet
• Andrew Bulbrook – violin
• Wynton Grant – violin
• Blake Cooper – tuba
• Zac Dellinger – viola
• Dean Reed – engineering, mixing
• Michael Harris – engineering, mixing
• Ben Fletcher – engineering assistant
• John Scher – engineering assistant
• Adam Ayan – mastering

Charts

Chart performance for "Arcadia"

Chart (2021)	Peak position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[11]	21
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[12]	40

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
Various	September 8, 2021	Digital download streaming	Interscope Polydor	[13]
Italy	October 1, 2021	Airplay	Universal	[14]

References

1. Carras, Christi (8 September 2021). "Lana Del Rey's 'body is a map of L.A.' in new 'Arcadia' music video". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2021-09-08. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
2. Grant, Sarah (8 September 2021). "Lana Del Rey Finds Grace While Searching For 'Arcadia'". Spin. Archived from the original on 2021-09-08. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
3. Cruz, Reanna (10 September 2021). "Lana Del Rey, 'Arcadia'". NPR. Archived from the original on 2021-09-11. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
4. Fu, Eddie (8 September 2021). "Lana Del Rey Details New Album Blue Banisters, Shares "Arcadia": Stream". Consequence. Archived from the original on 2021-09-09. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
5. Curto, Justin (September 8, 2021). "Lana Del Rey Graduates From Video Games to 'Arcadia'". Vulture.
6. Blistein, Jon (September 8, 2021). "Lana Del Rey Drops New Ballad 'Arcadia,' Updates 'Blue Banisters' Release Date". Rolling Stone.
7. Bowenbank, Starr (September 8, 2021). "Lana Del Rey Announces New 'Blue Banisters' Release Date, Stuns in Sun-Drenched Video for 'Arcadia'". Billboard. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
8. "Lana Del Rey shares alternative video for new single 'ARCADIA'". NME. October 7, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
9. Hussey, Allison (2021-10-23). "Watch Lana Del Rey Perform "Arcadia" on Colbert". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 2021-10-23. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
10. "Try the TIDAL Web Player". listen.tidal.com.
11. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. November 1, 2021. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
12. "Lana Del Rey Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
13. "Arcadia". September 8, 2021 – via open.spotify.com.
14. "LANA DEL REY "Arcadia" | (Radio Date: 01/10/2021)". radiodate.it.