Star Lana is real Rey of light

the Stone Roses’ triumphant renunion shows, Danny Boyle’s musical feast of an Olympic opening ceremony, that seismic set from Kasabian as they shook down the main stage at T in the Park – there have been plenty of highlights in 2012.

When it comes to the question of whose year it has been, however, Lana del Rey wins hands down, for my money at least.

The New Yorker was first mentioned on these pages a year ago, when just a few of her songs were floating about on the web. With her foxy locks, bee-stung lips and legs that go all the way to heaven, she oozed old Hollywood glamour which, combined with the quality of her haunting retro-pop songs, seemed a winning 
concoction.

And so it proved as major label debut Born To Die sent her career into the stratosphere on its release in January.

Not for long, mind. After a dodgy vocal performance on Saturday Night Live that same month, the old build ’em up to knock ’em down routine came into play and the girl hailed as pop’s new saviour suddenly became its whipping 
girl.

A flash-in-the pan? Not so fast.

As the year approaches its end, Del Rey, below, is turning around the opinion of many people with winning live performances as she steps out to promote the release of new eight-song Born To Die spin-off The Paradise Edition, which includes some of her best songs to date.

The past 12 months have been a roller coaster ride and a half for the Video Games singer, but it looks like she’s in for the long haul after all.

I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so.