Lana Del Rey shares a new song in response to mass shootings

The tragic mass shootings in the US last weekend (August 3 and 4) have, once again, devastated an entire country, and whipped up the urgent, ongoing debates about gun control. One person sharing their sadness is Lana Del Rey, who has debuted a new track, “Looking For America”, in response to the recent tragedies.

Premiering the song on Instagram, the singer wrote: “In light of all the mass shootings and the back to back shootings in the last couple of days which really affected me on a cellular level I just wanted to post this video that our engineer Laura took 20 minutes ago.”

The gentle song is an ode to the victims of the Texas and Ohio shootings that left 31 people dead, as well as a heartfelt remembrance for other lives lost in the countless massacres in modern America.

The track, performed with her long-time collaborator and producer Jack Antonoff, sees Del Rey softly sing, “I’m still looking for my own version of America / One without the guns, the flag can freely fly / No bombs in the sky, only fireworks and you and I / It’s just a dream I had in mind”. 

Following the recent shootings, Donald Trump blamed mental illness for the attacks, as well as the internet and social media, claiming that these factors fuel hatred which “pulls the trigger, not the gun”. 

Del Rey’s song release follows other high profile celebrities mourning the victims and urging the government to address gun control. On Sunday Rihanna shared one of Trump’s tweets on Instagram with the caption: “Um… Donald, you spelt ‘terrorism’ wong! Imagine a world where it’s easier to get an AK-47 than a VISA!” 

Despite widespread criticism and global pleas for America to change their gun laws, Trump – and many gun-supporting Twitter bros – will undoubtedly plow on with their abhorrent ‘guns don’t kill people, maniacs do’ approach.

Watch Lana Del Rey perform her song below.