‘Definitely a skip’: Lana Del Rey fans disturbed by new album’s ‘creepy’ pastor interlude
‘Ok we will be skipping “Judah Smith Interlude” from now on,’ one tweeted
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Your support makes all the difference.Lana Del Rey has left fans perplexed and disturbed by one of the interludes on her new album Did You Know There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd.
The six-time Grammy nominee’s ninth record, released on Friday (24 March), includes “Judah Smith Interlude”, a spoken-word sermon from controversial megachurch pastor Judah Smith.
Soft and ethereal piano instrumentals underlay the nearly five-minute recording, which appears to have been recorded by while Del Rey is in attendance.
Preaching about love, children, marriage and God, Smith warns the congregation against leading a “life dominated by lust”.
“The Spirit of God says, ‘I’ll infuse you with desirеs for what you have and what’s in front of you’.”
Amid Smith’s words, Del Rey can be heard giggling at times and making side comments.
The 44-year-old pastor is famously known for his friendly connections with celebrities, including Justin Bieber. Smith was featured on the popstar’s 2021 EP, Freedom.
Smith has often been criticised for being seen as more of an influencer than a preacher. He currently has an Instagram following of 705k.
While Del Rey’s album has been mostly well-received – The Independent’s Annabel Nugent gave it four out of five stars – numerous listeners have been put off by “Judah Smith Interlude”.
“This album is genius and amazing IDC! It would be a skipless album if the ‘Judah Smith Interlude’ wasn’t on it,” one fan tweeted.
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A second argued: “I think the ‘Judah Smith Interlude’ is gonna be an issue to some later on or rn as we speak.”
“Ok, we will be skipping ‘Juda Smith Interlude’ from now on,” a third declared.
“You gotta be a whole other level of gay and religiously traumatised to sit through and enjoy all 4 and a half minutes of this s***,” a fourth wrote.
Some, however, said they found the interlude “interesting”. One person wrote: “If you don’t see the vision I can’t help you.”
Another said they were “obsessed” with it, writing that they found it “haunting”.
Did You Know There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd is out now.
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