Kim Gordon To Lana Del Ray: ‘Why Doesn’t She Off Herself?’ Sonic Youth Rocker Calls Del Rey ‘Affected And Weird’

Lana Del Rey has been in a storm of controversy since her meteoric rise to stardom with her viral YouTube hit ‘Video Games.’ Now ex-Sonic Youth member Kim Gordon is on the Lana bashing bandwagon as her comments on Del Rey swept across the internet.

This latest controversy stems from a memoir by Gordon titled Girl in a Band, in which she referenced Del Rey saying that she is “a female Chris Isaak” and called her out for sleeping around with guys in the music industry in a particularly brutal fashion.

“Today we have someone like Lana Del Rey, who doesn’t know what feminism is, who believes it means women can do whatever they want, which, in her world, tilts toward self-destruction, whether it’s sleeping with gross older men or getting gang-raped by bikers.”

While the criticism seems quite harsh, Lana Del Rey has been equally provocative in her self depictions, and her songs frequently referenced her own depression and her sexual exploits, which are subjects that are simultaneously taboo, yet undeniably savory morsels for criticism and media hype.

In the first edition of Gordon’s book, sent out to reviewers, Gordon goes one step further in reference to an interview Del Rey gave to the Guardian in which she states that not only does she see an early pop star death as glamorous, but says that “I wish I were dead already.” It is that quote in particular which got Kim Gordon riled up enough to slam her in her book.

“If she really truly believes it’s beautiful when young musicians go out on a hot flame of drugs and depression, why doesn’t she just off herself?”

The quote has since been removed from later editions and, while Gordon backed off that stance, she states that it was a very emotional response prompted by her friend, Frances Bean Cobain.

Frances Bean Cobain, daughter of 90s pop stars Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love, lost her father in 1995 due to his self destructive behavior. Cobain took to Twitter herself to call out Del Rey for her insensitive comments. Although Cobain herself was less vitriolic in her response, it was no less scathing.

“The death of young musicians isn’t something to romanticize.I’ll never know my father because he died young and it becomes a desirable feat because people like you think it’s ‘cool’. Well, it’s f**king not. Embrace life, because you only get one life.”

It is Lana Del Rey’s very public display of her depression and anxiety which has evoked the ire of many across the entertainment spectrum. Many feel that Del Rey should be more appreciative of her fame and success which she herself sought out. Others feel that she conveys the reality that, for some, is closer to Del Rey’s point of view.

Whatever the case may be, it is clear that Kim Gordon and Frances Cobain do not see anything glamourous in Lana Del Rey’s fascination with death. Could it be that by highlighting the nastier side of fame that Del Rey invokes the ire of so many who prefer our pop stars clean, polished, and grateful?

Regardless of the statements, Lana Del Rey has proven that she is adept at stirring up the pot and keeps those following her on their toes.