Lana Del Rey once wrote of Video Games and now, by God, she’s in one. Life comes at you fast. Rey delaying her new album has led to her rattling off a James Bond theme song. We can count this on a technicality, like the time Johnny Cash kept offering up a song for Thunderball despite being told by producers that it was unnecessary, unneeded, and could he stop trying. Rey was at least asked to put together a Bond song, for the 007 First Light video game. Whether she thought this was for a film or a third-person shooter is beside the point, the fact is, Rey proves she would be a shoo-in for a Bond track in the future. Whether she’s ruled herself out with this one is beyond the point. First Light has the coolness necessary for a Bond film, the tone Adele and Billie Eilish brought to the film series, with a bit of a rock and roll thrill to it, like bits of Chris Cornell’s offering had been adapted.
First Light is one in a series of odd projects from Rey. She has been throwing out soundtrack work for the last few years and, while her voice is a definite match for the series, it feels like an odd pairing. All it comes down to is whether or not the song sounds cool, and it does. They’re treating 007 First Light with the same pride as the films, so why not go all out for a songwriter who can certainly sit comfortably in the Bond theme canon? Rey can, and it’s easy to accept that, given the history and legacy of the series’ greatest songs, and those they passed on (Radiohead and Pulp left in the mud, unfortunately). First Light is a fantastic example of what Rey could do, and though it does feel as though she’s playing dress up with an old sound, it’s a return to form not heard from her on recent albums. It’s not a rekindling of quality but it is, at least, an example of strong work.
But has Rey formulated the perfect Bond song, or has she just appropriated the instruments and feeling associated with the series? It’s a bit of both. She wastes no time at all in bringing about an orchestral swell and contemplative pluck of strings to back these sun-kissed words. It feels like cosplay rather than commitment from Rey. First Light is good, absolutely, and it is befitting of the Bond series so far, but it lacks that killer instinct featured on the best Bond soundtracks. Still, it serves its purpose well and it’s a chance to hear Rey work with a vocal style and instrumental compliment that she has been keen to break from. Sometimes, what she does best is what she did before, and that has been the case. A cool electric guitar riff, subtle but still there, is what pulls this together.
Orchestral pull and the need for it to sound like the Bond classics of the past are what hinder First Light. Ironically, Rey has written herself into a smaller spot than she needed for this song, not quite revelling in the moment and instead looking to make sure the song is defined by the Bond traditions. No bad choice, not at all, but it does prevent her from making that defining push. It’s all string sections and playing the game, a song that follows a path that Rey hasn’t quite considered. Still, incredible vocal work and all the instrumental expectations many will want from a safe Bond song. Consider the project and the safety needed in detailing it, that’s what Rey provides and she does a solid job of it. Hardly a memorable one, but she checks all the boxes for Bond fodder.
