I’ve been dreading writing this review.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock since 2013, I think that everybody has heard at least a few songs off Lady Gaga’s effort to combine classic pop music and art - ARTPOP. The album is experimental, to say the least, and many say that it was ahead of its time. The EDM production is almost as bold as the subject matter of the lyrics and listening to the album is definitely an experience that you won’t forget, but possibly for the wrong reasons.
Before writing this review I had actually only listened to the iconic lead single “Applause.” While it is a classic pop song, it did NOT prepare me for when I hit play on the opening track of the album, “Aura.” This song is the definition of ARTPOP: In the first 40 seconds of the song, Gaga says - not sings - “I killed my former and left her in the trunk on Highway 10, put the knife under the hood and if you find it, send it straight to Hollywood” over an eerie guitar instrumental. Eventually, after a confusing yet exciting verse and build-up, the unique and upbeat instrumental is replaced by a soft pad as Gaga sings (finally) “Do you wanna see the girl who lives behind the aura, behind the aura.” The combination of the intense verses and classic pop choruses makes this song one of my favourites on the album and it was the perfect way to introduce me to the world of ARTPOP.
The album is definitely an acquired taste. A lot of people aren’t into EDM anymore and wouldn’t like songs like “Donatella,” a dance track named after the famous designer Donatella Versace. If I’m being honest, I still don’t really get what the song is about, but many of the lyrics reference the modelling industry and fashion. Gaga sings “''Cause she walks so bad like it feels so good, listen to her radiate her magic, even though she knows she’s misunderstood” over a four on the floor kick pattern and heavy synths.
As we all know, artists' experimental albums all have highs and lows, and ARTPOP is no exception. “Dope” is the album’s only ballad and probably one of Gaga’s most vulnerable songs. The lyrics make it seem like Gaga is singing about choosing a relationship over drugs, but she confirmed in an interview that she is singing about choosing her fanbase over drugs. She sings “My heart would break without you, might not awake without you, [....] I need you more than dope.” On the other hand, “Jewels N’ Drugs” featuring T.I, Too $hort and Twista is so bad that I couldn’t even make it past the first minute of the song. Gaga sings money, drugs and fame over a noisy trap instrumental. I don’t know how Gaga’s team allowed her to release this song.
In conclusion, ARTPOP confuses me. I love the songs that I love and I hate the songs that I hate - there’s no in-between for me. But overall, I would say that ARTPOP is a good album. Gaga tried something new and it paid off… mostly.
Stream ARTPOP by Lady Gaga on Spotify and Apple Music.
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