Lana Del Rey, First Light | Song Review

Grammy-nominated alternative pop singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey drops a James Bond Theme for the ages with “First Light.”  

Thought-provoking! What happens when Grammy-nominated alternative pop singer-songwriter Lana Del Rey and the James Bond/007 franchise join forces? Sheer brilliance.  Del Rey’s “First Light” is not for a new film, but rather, for a video game.  From a first listen, “First Light” is incredibly distinct – different from everything else you’ll hear. It’s also a radical departure from the more country-oriented alternative songs she’s been releasing lately.  Del Rey wrote “First Light” with David Arnold. The results are nothing short of intriguing, striking, and unique.

First and foremost, Lana Del Rey brings it vocally on “First Light.” Her tone is beautiful, haunting, indulgent, and all the things. She is the perfect vocalist to helm a James Bond theme, yet previous efforts were rejected.  Seems like a big-time miss, from my perspective. Anyway, not crying over spilt milk, the melodies are divine, with the lyrics compelling, too. “Baby, come on / You know what you’ve always wanted to do,” she sings in the second verse, and continues, “But there’s one life for you.” The orchestration supporting Del Rey is cinematic, dramatic, and dynamic to the nth degree.  This is fitting for a video game or film soundtrack, particularly the Bond franchise.  There is typical pop/rock instrumentation, alongside the lush, soaring strings and inescapable horns. The chorus is big, supported by assertive, highly articulated, biting horn riffs. Lyrically, it’s a high-flying, memorable moment for Del Rey:

“Can’t say I’m surprised to see you running towards the sun

Like a moth to a flame (Hey)

People try and stop you, but all the fates just watch you

Dying just to know whether you’ll play your life like a game.”

“First Light” is a triumphant moment for Lana Del Rey.  She did that, PERIODT.  The downside? This odd but satisfying Bond Theme deserves to be in a Bond movie, not just a video game.  But, at least she got her Bond theme! 

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Lana Del Rey » “First Light” » Lana Del Rey / Universal Music Operations Limited » 4.16.26 [📷: Lana Del Rey / Universal Music Operations Limited]

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