Harlea’s ’99’ recalls the visceral thrill of first hearing Lana Del Rey’s Born To Die album. The song conveys a similar all encompassing, cinematic feel even as it avoids straying into full “Gangsta Nancy Sinatra” territory.
Given the Americana on display here, the name Harlea feels like no accident for this Birmingham born, LA based pop star. Even if her performing name isn’t a nod to the Harley Davidson or to Marlon Brando and classic Hollywood films like The Wild One, it still feels an apt choice of moniker for the all encompassing muscular pop melodrama soundscapes she is creating.
Halsey seemed to pick up the Born To Die baton for a bit but, judging from ’99′, she’s passed it on to Harlea. From the sound of it, the new star is more than ready to take on the next stretch of this pop race.
’99’ is out now.
Cazz Blase
@CazzBlase
Get In Her Ears 
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