Having become an overnight global sensation following the single Video Games, anticipation was feverish for Lana Del Reys second album (and major label debut) Born to Die (2012). With intrigue building around both her stage persona and her innovative sombre, downtempo approach to pop songwriting, Lana Del Rey began receiving invites for televised performances to promote the upcoming album. Her now-infamous performance on Saturday Night Live in January 2012, that was dubbed The worst in SNL history by Brian Williams, did little to quell the excitement for new material.

Born To Die was released a few weeks later on 27th January 2012 and became a worldwide phenomenon, propelling Lana Del Rey to stratospheric heights in the public eye. Plans for a follow-up formalised in 2013 with recording continuing i