In “White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter” Lana Del Rey paints a picture that feels whimsical and mystical. Topics of American identity and mythology are present, with a sweet glimpse into her married life with her husband. This is not her title track per say, but it is a big glimpse into the vibe that is to be expected in her album that is dropping soon, that is confirmed to be titled ‘Stove’, a nod to the prolific poet Sylvia Plath.

When this song first dropped, I put my headphones on quickly and gave it a listen. I understood it from the first listen. The instrumental makes me feel like I am in an old Disney movie, or that I am a mystical being dancing around in the forest with lights shining all around me. To add onto this, Lana’s airy and alluring vocals really elevate the song, her voice like a siren luring you into her music filled sea.

I found myself also very fond of the music video as well. I loved how simple it was. No flashy decor or expensive items were on site. Just her and her husband in their cozy backyard in the cool air cooking and dancing and goofing around. Sometimes simplicity is all that is needed to make something truly magical and memorable. 

As an avid Sylivia Plath lover and a long time Lana fan, I instantly caught on to the stove references. I have mentioned Syliva very briefly in both my last article and this one, but for those who don’t know, Sylvia Plath was an American poet and novelist, her most notable works being her 1963 novel ‘The Bell Jar’ and her wildly loved poem ‘Ariel’. The first clear time Lana ever mentioned Syliva in her work was in ‘Hope Is A Dangerous Thing For A Women LIke Me To Have–But I Have It’ from her 2019 critically acclaimed album ‘Norman F*king Rockwell”. The lyrics go “I’ve been twirling around in my fucking nightgown/24/7 Syliva Plath.” Her album being named ‘Stove’ is a direct correlation to Plath’s devastating suicide, where she stuck her head inside of her oven with it still being on, which caused carbon monoxide to seep into her lungs, ultimately killing her. 

I will admit, Lana’s usage of a stove in “White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter’ confused me a bit at first. I understood the reference, but given such the grime nature of Syliva Plath’s story with the stove and how the song is supposed to be a testament to her marriage, I didn’t know why she would bring it up in this song specifically. That was until giving it one more listen and piecing it all together, when I finally understood. Her mention of a stove is a double entendre. It is a common household item used in everyday life. Symbolically, however, it is a testament to Plath’s life and evokes a feeling of anguish, creating a dark, mysterious, almost fable-like atmosphere. 

This song was a great introduction to the sound and vibe of the highly anticipated album, and whenever it drops, I will be the first to listen.