I've been a fan of Lana Del Rey's since the fall of 2014, shortly after her sophomore major-label album, "Ultraviolence" was released. Her music was always interesting to me, as it combined modern music trends with classic tones and themes, which especially was evident in her music videos. She is alluring and sensual in a Marilyn Monroe-fashion. Her songs varied between haunting stories and simple, almost blasé, summer anthems about being happy and free.

Fast-forward to 2017, Del Rey released her fourth major-label album, "Lust For Life." Collaborating on a few tracks with contemporary artists such as A$AP Rocky and classic rock singer Stevie Nicks, Del Rey produced 16 songs, reminiscent of the borderline hip-hop style from her first major release, "Born To Die." Some songs on this album are hits, some are misses, but this article is not to serve as a review of "Lust For Life." Rather, the purpose of my writing is to commend Lana Del Rey for writing these particular songs at such a delicate and needy time for the country. "Lust For Life" is the album America needs right now.

Lana Del Rey's opening track, "Love" directly addresses millennials: a very specific, yet popular subgroup of millennials. Those of us who feel older than we are and are far more interested in the culture of the past. She speaks directly to those of us who find ourselves aligning with the social justice warriors of the 1960's, the gypsies of the '70s, the hard-knock rebels of the '80s, who are righteous, brave, and carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. She so simply states that we belong in every generation, as we may hold on the sentiments of the past, but we are the hope for the future. We inherit the country. But no matter how heavy the burden of it all is, we have to remember that we are still young and should be allowed to have fun and indulge in the carefree lifestyle we dream of.

One of my favorite songs on the album is "Coachella- Woodstock in My Mind," which gives a noble nod to Led Zeppelin's popular "Stairway To Heaven" in the chorus. Del Rey even stated that this piece was written with a heavy touch of guilt as she watched tragedies rise in other countries whilst she was enjoying her time at the popular music festival, dancing and absorbing the energy of the happy people surrounding her. The song is a prayer for peace and understanding. She wishes the love she felt at Coachella was universal.

With empowering ballads like "God Bless America- and All the Beautiful Women It It," Del Rey lifts the spirits of so many people, reminding them that despite recent happenings and problems, this country still retains admirable qualities, and each and every person that resides in the USA is special and belongs here. The next two songs after "God Bless..." are just as touching and inspiring. Much to the satisfaction of the subgroup addressed in "Love," Del Rey collaborates with a classic rock legend, Stevie Nicks, on "Beautiful People Beautiful Problems," an ode to the various struggles people endure throughout their lives. This soft ballad serves as a reminder that we all have to carry baggage, and it doesn't make us any less human. Stevie Nicks was the perfect partner for Lana to collaborate with on this track. Her edgy vocals and iconic bluesy musical style lends a much needed rock 'n' roll touch to Del Rey's smooth singing that gives a respectful glance towards the classic rockers of both the past and present, a group pictured as the average hard-working, often forgotten lower-middle class Americans that make up the largest percentage of our country's population. These are the people that have been most affected by the recent events and changes our nation has seen, and Del Rey and Nicks both attempt to symbolically lend a shoulder and ear to those who struggle and suffer through a life that could be described as mundane, directionless or even problematic. They appeal to people whose ailments, whether personal, financial or global, interfere with their abilities to be happy and to accept themselves as they are. The simple ballad reminds us that we exist as we are and that is more than enough.

Peppered with typical Lana Del Rey spice and flare, "Lust For Life" is the album that stretches out a hand towards the American people in this time of panic and disarray. She makes a point of addressing all the groups that may feel troubled, worried, even homeless. This album is just what this manic year needs. It's safe to say "Lust For Life" might be the best album of 2017, just because of how applicable and loving it is.

And with that, I end the article with an extension of gratitude towards Lana Del Rey and her featured artists. Thank you for caring. Thank you for speaking. Thank you for your lust for life.