Instagram/@honeymoon
While Lana Del Rey had a small celebration she dumped somewhat into her social-media followers with a scenic drive on the very unusual day for a milestone to be marked in her life. The moment was somewhat rhythmically accompanied by Remy Bond, raising very heated debates about musical influences and fan culture.
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Lana Del Rey offered a peek into a celebratory moment, short but really emotional, thanking San Ysidro Ranch: “Thank you so much San Ysidro Ranch,” she wrote, while she captioned the photograph, “Doing what we do best- driving the open roads. Coast to Coast.” The message was indeed short; yet, to her followers, the post was thought to be an allusion to some anniversary. This entire theme of driving perfectly complements the singer’s-ever since the ’60s- representation of American nostalgia and freedom along the open road.
The soundtrack of the post, however, brewed intense intrigue- it was a track from Remy Bond, of that, Del Rey’s fanbase certainly took notice. This very choice stirred an immediate backlash and inquiry as if the comment section became a battleground between accusations of affinity harassment and differing social perceptions. For some, it was complete justification.
One person expressed what the masses felt: “Seeing you happy is our happiness,” and this garnered many responses of agreement, highlighting the level to which fans identify with the artist and almost celebrate her public happiness as a community victory.
The most significant flowing conversation followed Del Rey’s choice of and hence use of Remy Bond’s song. “I didn’t know you liked Remy Bond,” one fan said. Soon began an elaborate sub-thread with followers dissecting the association of the two artists, many citing similarities in musical vibes, “ngl first time I heard the song, thought it was by LDR,” one listener confessed, pointing to stylistic parallels that have often been discussed. Another added, “I really like it. I’ve been looking for women who make music like this to add to a ‘sister’ Lana playlist,” signaling LDR’s directive effect on her audience’s listening habits.
For many this very public endorsement was a very loud and powerful statement: “All of you Lana fans who have been giving Remy hell for the last year can be quiet,” remarked one user, suggesting that Del Rey’s public endorsement seemingly put an end to the factions of her fanbase that accused Bond of copying Del Rey’s characteristic style. Sharing of the track was seen as a healing act, a reconciliation of the divide that exists within the online community.
Celebration was the second most general theme of the post. Followers blanketed the comment section with anniversary wishes and messages like “Happy anniversary princesa” and “I’m glad you’re so happy my beautiful queen,” signaling the loving and protective relationship the fans have toward their artists. The aforementioned place also got a kudos from a commenter with “I love San Ysidro Ranch. It is so gorgeous,” linking the akans of the landscape to the perceived joyful occasion.
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Lana Del Rey’s post was a perfect example of understatement working in communication-the privately celebrated has also been willingly slanted into a wider cultural discourse. One sharing of an instant and a song offered validation for another artist, delighted followers with an instant of joy, and steered the direction of her own fan discourse with a mere breath. Alone, this throws sufficient light on the substantive nature of past and present treatment of even her simplest of posts, which proffer a window into her life that her constituency eagerly critiques and celebrates.
