Member-only story
POP CULTURE | MUSIC
Rate-a-Record — American Queens, Head-to-Head, Vol. 2
Native New York vocal superpowers, Lana Del Rey vs. Lady Gaga
My previous Rate-a-Record matchup had Miley Cyrus facing off with Taylor Swift, both popular chart toppers with success as rich as their musical catalogues. From that micro sampling, Miley Cyrus fans edged out the Swifties. Not that it was any sort of poll or competition, but I was impressed that so many recognized Cyrus for her impressive talent.
As a side note, one reader even shared a nickname for Cyrus: Smiley Virus, which does hold water as the woman has a large and dazzling grin.
As much as Swift and Cyrus are opposites in persona and performance, this edition’s contenders, Lady Gaga and Lana Del Rey, are strikingly similar.
Both ladies hail from New York City, give theatrical presentations and sing in the contralto voice range. Both singers perform under stage names, and both performers came to my attention in roundabout ways.
While I had seen Lady Gaga on talk shows and videos and caught her music on the radio or the Spotify smart shuffle, I didn’t pay much attention until I watched the modern remake of “A Star is Born.” The movie starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper remains one the…
