Move over Katy, stop all your twerking Miley, and hand over the tarnished crown Madonna, pop extraordinaire Lady Gaga is finally here with ARTPOP and it is as crazy, chaotic, inspiring and magical as we all hoped. While the eccentric singer/songwriter has come under scrutiny the last couple of years for the reception of the extremely underrated Born This Way, the “Marry The Night” songstress is coming back with a vengeance, supported by her official third full length studio album.
Preceded by the number four-peaking “Applause” and a message to the haters in the form of “Do What U Want” featuring R. Kelly, Lady Gaga has strategically been teasing ARTPOP for the last few months with positive and satisfying results. Following a well-received VMA performance, a stripped back iTunes Festival gig, a gorgeous album cover unveiling, numerous snippet releases and media attention to her second single change up, ARTPOP lives up to all the hype. The artist focuses her beautiful vocals and eclectic team of producers, including Zedd, Madeon and DJ White Shadow, on fifteen tracks of pure pop, which put the whole reverse Andy Warhol-ism to some sense, although I admit I'm still a bit confused. What about the soup can?
Used as a clever promotional effort for her debut film role, Machete Kills, the most abrasive, in-your-face, controversial track, “Aura”, kicks off the anticipated project. Originally leaked as an unfinished demo, the sexual, spaghetti Western-inspired pop track features crazy verses of murder while soaring once the chorus bursts through. Gaga sings for her cosmic lover to take a peek underneath her cover, I’d be more than happy to oblige.
It is a bit sad to see “Venus” removed from its spot as the album’s official second single, but it may have been a smart decision, commercially. With all its space odyssey-inspired lyrics and Ziggy Stardust-like vocals, the 80s-sounding track may have been too much for some mortal listeners. For Gaga fans however, the campy nature, glorious, near perfect chorus and complete solar system reference will have them only begging for more.
One of the bright highlights, and there are many, comes thanks to “G.U.Y”. That’s “Girl Under You” for all you anti-ARTPOP enthusiasts. With a sexy, intriguing, goddess of an intro, Gaga sings of taking charge in the bedroom. “Touch me, touch me, don’t be sweet, love me, love me, please retweet, let me be the girl under you that makes you cry,” she chants on the hook before the chorus takes fans on a ride to a new, erotic dimension.
Performed during her iTunes performance, “Sexxx Dreams” was definitely a song that had everyone talking, thanks to its rock-like production and naughty lyrical content. Some changes are noticeable on the album version, additional background vocals and a new verse, but its essence is still thankfully in place. The song has serious single treatment potential as 90s-style production only adds to the raunchy vibe of the finished product.
“Jewels n’ Drugs” was a track that did not garner much love from me at the beginning of its lifespan, but my tone is changing for the better. Featuring impressive rap verses from big names including T.I., Twista and Too $hort, Gaga gives her best hip-hip impersonation to successful results. The track is not to be taken too seriously; it showcases a different side of the artist, she's stepping out of the soup can, and should be appreciated.
Gaga gives devoted fans pure, 80s rock with “MANiCURE”, a sexual plea to all her potential suitors. “Touch me in the dark, put your hands all over my body parts,” the artist sings with no need for pointless metaphors. While the chorus has changed slightly from a previous listen, the “can you feel it?” portion adds something fresh and exciting. It’s crazy, it’s different, but it’s still pure Gaga.
Official second single “Do What U Want” featuring R. Kelly is the simplistic, R&B-laced jam we have not yet heard from the over-the-top artist before. Doubling as a bedroom romper as well as a message to all her naysayers, the single focuses on Gaga’s powerhouse vocals and her noticeable chemistry with R. Kelly, who gives a better than expected performance. Lyrically, vocally, this track works in every way.
Title tracks are usually just throwaway filler, but Gaga made sure “ARTPOP” held center stage. She proclaims the term could mean anything! Get it now? While I was disappointed the song was not the hippie experience I heard before, lines such as “I try to sell myself, but I am really laughing, because I just love the music not the bling” push all of my negative criticism to the side. It’s a robotic mess that I absolutely love.
Supposedly directed at infamous, completely awful, blogger Perez Hilton, “Swine” is a revengeful attack at the individuals who have done Gaga wrong in the past. Comparing these disgusting people to mere pigs inside human bodies, the artist seems to have been inspired by “The Exorcist” as heavy, EDM production creates a chaotic track that soars to a different level for the pop artist. It’s brave, honest, and one head-banging good time.
The gay community has a new anthem with the bitchy, fashion forward “Donatella” as Gaga sings of many references in the modeling world on the glorious pop moment. Inspired by the legendary fashion designer, the tongue-in-cheek, humorous nature of the song certainly makes it a highlight for the album. While light and airy on the verses, the energy kicks into high gear on the explosive chorus becoming quite the earworm.
“Fashion!”, produced by former Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am, no need to run in fear, is the moment which unfortunately stalls the energy and vibe of the album just for a second. The song is not terrible, although it does not deserve immense praise either. While I was expecting a 2013 remake of a previously released track, we get an 80s-inspired, runway ready, sassy experiment that ultimately leaves me torn.
While never shy to speak of her drug tendencies, “Mary Jane Holland” lays Gaga’s obsession with marijuana out for all to hear. With production that would have fit in perfectly on Born This Way, think “Heavy Metal Lover” and “Bloody Mary”, the theatrical nature of the 80s hair rock track is an extremely pleasant listen. “When I ignite the flame and put you in my mouth, the grass heats up my insides, and my brunette starts to sprout,” she sings.
Formerly known as “I Wanna Be With You”, the newly created “Dope” keeps the same structure and production and swaps out personal lyrics for her fans in order to speak of her publicized addictions. As the only true ballad on the album, the track is a haunting, powerful plea for help and love from her devoted Little Monsters. Gaga has always been one to tell complex stories with her songwriting, nothing is untouched on this gem.
Introduced as a touching slow number in Germany, but initially described as an electronic ballad, “Gypsy” sounds amazing either way. With a touching intro, the song gets a giant dose of pop magic on the inspiring chorus of love. “I don’t wanna be alone forever, but I can be tonight,” Gaga sings on what should be lined up as the album’s third single. By the time she gets to the country shout out during the closing, I’m already in tears.
Lead single “Applause” may not have won every critic over upon its release, but it does sound amazing as the official closing track. This album does deserve a round of applause. For a song that almost did not make the track list, the single is a loud, slightly narcissistic, art piece that brought the pop queen back to her dance roots. The energetic chorus, confusing verses and strong vocals will make this track timeless.
ARTPOP was jokingly called “the album of the millennium” by Lady Gaga herself... hell I would label it the album of the galaxy. While going on her promotional tour, describing the new project as the child of art and pop, Gaga has achieved just that. When people describe pop music in the future, this impressive, 15-track effort will be on reference. From its dance/pop influences, to its odes to rock, and surprising R&B and hip-hop flavor, the artist crosses multiple genres successfully and pulls off what I believe to be her best work to date. Sorry The Fame Monster. The artist may not be adored by all, but admit, even at her lowest of lows, she's still pushing the pop genre into uncharted territories. Gaga leaves nothing off limits, was not afraid to get messy with this project and in return delivers the definition of what pop should be in 2013. Well done. ARTPOP receives a very high 98%.
Tracks to Hear: “G.U.Y”, “Sexxx Dreams”, “Donatella”, “Mary Jane Holland”, “Gypsy”… Hell all of them!
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