I can't deny the fact that I have been itching to hear ARTPOP ever since Lady Gaga opened the iTunes Festival in London back in September and after the leak of her latest album, I jumped at a chance to give her new music a listen. Despite Applause being slaughtered by the media, Gaga herself having a few Twitter meltdowns and her X Factor performance receiving more than a hundred complaints, ARTPOP sticks up a middle finger to those who ever doubted Miss Germanotta. The collection of songs has everything Little Monsters want from Gaga- addictive pop beats, soulfully slow tunes and sexually charged lyrics.
Tracklisting:
01 “Aura”
02 “Venus”
03 “G.U.Y.”
04 “Sexxx Dreams”
05 “Jewels N’ Drugs”
06 “MANiCURE”
07 “Do What U Want” (feat. R. Kelly)
08 “ARTPOP”
09 “Swine”
10 “Donatella”
11 “Fashion!”
12 “Mary Jane Holland”
13 “Dope”
14 “Gypsy”
15 “Applause”
02 “Venus”
03 “G.U.Y.”
04 “Sexxx Dreams”
05 “Jewels N’ Drugs”
06 “MANiCURE”
07 “Do What U Want” (feat. R. Kelly)
08 “ARTPOP”
09 “Swine”
10 “Donatella”
11 “Fashion!”
12 “Mary Jane Holland”
13 “Dope”
14 “Gypsy”
15 “Applause”
The Best Bits
Venus
The second track to be released, the star performed this on X Factor UK on 27th October. Filled with galactic metaphors and an addictive synth beat, Gaga repeats the words "take me to your planet".
Sexxx Dreams
After hearing this one at the iTunes Festival I was incredibly excited to hear the album version. Despite the x rated lyrics which are by now expected from the star, the dance beat is ensnaring and one of the strongest songs on the album.
MANiCURE
This track is FULL of attitude, fun and solidly confirms that pitched against the likes of Britney and Perry, this lady has the strongest voice with the most range.
Swine
Without a doubt, this song is my all-time favourite, and is definitely reminiscent of her earlier tracks like Teeth and Dancing In The Dark. Sick yet humourous, it is the perfect recipe for a club banger.
Donatella
Two words that sum up this song: fun and dumb. Bubblegum pop meets dance meets synth with this track, my favourite verse being "Walk down the runway but don’t puke (it’s okay)
You just had a salad today, Boulangerie,Just ask your gay friend's their advice, before you
Get a spray tan on holiday, in Taipe"
You just had a salad today, Boulangerie,Just ask your gay friend's their advice, before you
Get a spray tan on holiday, in Taipe"
The Misses
As with most albums, there are always a couple of songs you are disappointed with, and for me, I was extremely underwhelmed by 'Dope'. It's weaknesses did not lie vocally, but lyrically- I could not get past the fact that the chorus consisted of 'I need you more than dope'. I wanted a deeper emotion from Gaga!
Jewels and Drugs
One thing Gaga- you will never be gangster, so stick to pop and make sure Twista stays far away from your future tracks. This song shouldn't have made it to the album, but I applaud her experimentation.
To me her music packs a punch and as an all-round performer, she can engage with an audience, she clearly has a passion for her music and for her fans and her pure kookiness only adds to her charm and blows others such as Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry out of the water.
Listen to the whole album here
Follow this Tumblr account for the latest tracks
What did you think of Artpop?
I give it ★★★★★
