[1] On 20 May 2021, three singles were surprise released by Del Rey — "Blue Banisters", "Text Book", and "Wildflower Wildfire" — as "buzz tracks in anticipation of her upcoming 8th studio album".

[7] Steffanee Wang from jjb encapsulated "Blue Banisters" as "a crescendoing, towering ballad", noting how "Del Rey is able to signal her growth in perspective regarding feminism" "elegantly" on the track.

[9] Ben Bryant from The Independent portrayed how "the stunning, spacious" song "is as luxurious and haunting as a Jim Buckels painting".

The video features a peaceful setting, where Lana rides a tractor and has fun with her friends painting banisters blue, and decorating cakes.

[4] Jon Blistein from Rolling Stone described how the "clip toes the line between literally and abstractly complementing the lyrics",[13] a feat also noted by Sam Kemp from Far Out.