Lana Del Rey’s new song, “Henry, Come On” may have been teased to be a country song but it is much more reminiscent of her signature, dreamy, and melancholic sound—with a new touch. While fans might have been expecting a more traditional country twang, “Henry, Come On” leans more into lush, cinematic instrumentation. The standout feature has to be the gorgeous string arrangement that floats through the melody, giving the song a more haunting and orchestral quality.
The lyrics are wistful, mysterious, and full of longing which fans recognize as common themes running through Lana’s songs. A tale of love, longing, and rejection, the strong storytelling quality fits the country label, but the overall vibe is far from Texas. Instead, Henry leans more toward a smoky lounge atmosphere in the middle of nowhere, with wisps of heartbreak and desire floating through the air.
This song has a little bit of everything, starting with some deep and sultry vocals and then jumping up with a beautiful angelic voice for the melody. Another classic Lana aspect is the breathy layers heard in the background, adding a rich sound and emphasizing her sense of self and independence as it can be heard with the lyrics “tell him his cowgirl is gone.”
“Henry, Come On” might not be what listeners expect, but it’s a beautiful, layered piece that shows Lana still knows how to surprise her listeners, even if she takes an unexpected turn.