Lady Gaga is finally becoming a force to be reckoned with. After every Madonna comparison, attention grabbing performance and questionable outfit, I feel like she wants to show the world who and what she is as an artist. She has reversed the work of Warhol by putting art into pop instead of pop into art which has constructed this roller coaster album experimenting with different sounds, genre's and themes. Working with producers like Zedd, DJ White Shadow, will.i.am and Madeon, and artists like Jeff Koons and Marina Abramovic, we're in for a treat both sonically and visually. Overall, I'd give this album a B+, but here is a graded track by track review for your pleasure.
1 - Aura (C+)
When this song originally leaked I thought it was bloody fantastic. I was wrong. It's a good song, don't get me wrong. The lyrics are good, especially the "do you want to see me naked lover" bit and the "Dance. Sex. Art. Pop. Tech" chant. But I find it quite a messy song. It's bizarre but a great introduction to a great album
2 - Venus (B-)
Even though not many people like this song, and a lot of people will judge me for giving this song a higher grade than Aura, I think this song is amazing. I saw her preform this song live at G-A-Y in London and it was very good, I judge a song on how good I think it'll be live. I really like the bit when she names all the planets (including Pluto). It's good isn't it?
3 - G-U-Y (B+)
I was most excited to listen to this song because I fell in love with the
snippet she released to get everyone hyped up about ARTPOP. This song is about sex, and it's a very sexy song about sex. The chorus is awesome and I want to have sex to this song immediately. Any offers? Zayn Malik? Zak Efron?
4 - Sexxx Dreams (A)
Another great song about sex. I think Lady Gaga really likes sex. Who wouldn't? Have you seen her
boyfriend? But this song is for the lesbians. 'Poker Face' revisited, except a lot better. I really love the lyric "When I lay in bed, I touch myself and I think of you'. There's also an incredible bit in the song where she says "I can't
believe I'm telling you this, but I've had a couple of drinks" and it sounds like all you need is alcohol for Lady Gaga to munch your muffin.
5 - Jewels n' Drugs (ft. T.I, Too Short and Twista) (D)
No. Just no. Pop stars should stay away from trap music as much as possible. It's nice to see some gangster rap artists collaborate with the Queen of the gays though.
6 - Manicure (B-)
This song reminds me of her first album
The Fame so much. It's girly yet rock in a twisted way. The song is about being cured by a man in a sex way, which is nice. I really like the guitar riffed bridge in this song. Also, this is Adele's favourite if anyone is interested.
7 - Do What U Want (ft. R Kelly) (A+)
This is my jam right here. Two of my favourite artists have had musical intercourse and created this gorgeous baby. This song is about the tabloids not owning an artist for Lady Gaga but for R Kelly it's about sex, which is great for the whole 'ARTPOP could mean anything' concept. It's really catchy, so if you haven't listened to it (do you live under a rock?), be prepared.
8 - ARTPOP (B-)
We've made it to the title track. This song is beautiful. It's nice to see she's realised that you can't change the world with a song, even though she tried amazingly with the 'Born This Way' era. "ARTPOP could mean anything". It reminds me a little of Selena Gomez -
Love You Like a Love Song, which I'm sure is unintentional, but I don't mind because that is a great song.
9 - Swine (C-)
This song is very lyrically weird. It's quite a 'banger' as Miley would put it. For some reason it reminds me of poppers, but I wouldn't want to have sex to this song because it's about pigs(ish). There is something good here though. I don't know what it is, but I feel it.
10 - Donatella (A)
Everyone who is reading this will probably judge me for giving this a high grade, but this song is so gay I just had to give it props. This song is an open letter to Donatella Versace but she is also making fun of fashion and model culture. My favourite line is "I am so fab, I'm blonde, I'm skinny, I'm rich and I'm a bit of a bitch." What more do you need in a song? Nothing.
11 - Fashion! (C)
Probably more of an album filler than a hit single. But I like this song because it's very chilled out. It reminds me of Daft Punk. I'm sure this song is a stoner favourite. Although, when I saw the track list for the first time, I was hoping that she'd re-release
this song which featured in the film 'Confessions of a Shopaholic'.
12 - Mary Jane Holland (A+)
This song is brilliant. It's produced by Madeon who is my favourite DJ prodigy. When I heard he was going to be collaborating with Gaga on the album, I was so excited. He is a genius and Mary Jane Holland certainly showcases that. This song is about weed by the way. The bridge is bloody phenomenal with this amazing Abba vibe as pointed out by
Popjustice. This song is my favourite from the album. Bravo.
13 - Dope (C+)
IT'S A FUCKING BALLAD ABOUT WEED. GREAT. But it's about how love is greater than any drug. GREAT. Probably related to her hot boyfriend again.
14 - Gypsy (A)
(listen here)
I really like this song, a lot. Again, produced by Madeon, which is probably why. The song is about the lonely consequences of being famous and how the stage is her home, which is quite nice. She lists a lot of countries at the end which is also, quite nice.
15 - Applause (A-)
A great choice to end the album. Because you must clap at the end of every show.
