" Sexxx dreams , jewels , drugs , fashion , sex , swines , gysies and dope. Cue the applause , ARTPOP deserves every last clap "
The Twitter buzz amongst Monsters and pop fans in general was hard to ignore. And so , with excitement and trepidation , I had a listen.
ARTPOP is thrilling , sexy , camp , joyous , euphoric , exhilarating pop of a standard that is inspiring and delivers on the many narcissistic platitudes frequently meted out by Gaga. It's influences are many , but there's a freshness throughout the record that just solidifies Gaga as the greatest pop icon of her generation.
When Gaga premiered the much maligned Applause in August to mixed and polarizing views , there was some sceptisism and expectations of an imminent artistic flop to come on ARTPOP. Personally , I loved Applause , championed it, played it on repeat , but acknowledged the underwhelming air of it all. Applause may very well be pop's greatest 'red herring ' , when listening to ARTPOP as a whole. In fact , the song which closes the album could very well be one of the weakest tracks on the album. But it works as an album closer in the context of the album as a whole.
Aura opens the set with its Eastern flavour and chanting refrain. It's a pulsating opener. " do you wanna see me naked lover / do you wanna peak underneath the covers " , one of many sexy lyrics throughout the record. Its a frenetic start and followed up in camp style by the fantastic Venus.
The song that should have been the second single is vintage Gaga. Shades of Bowie in modern pop are rare and to be celebrated. It's gloriously camp nonsense, that takes a few listens to become the earwig it is. Gaga sings about her 'goddess of love ". The chorus is divine " when you touch me I die ".Its high energy , almost tribal in its space age pleading of "could this be love ". It's fun and campy.
G.U.Y follows and is one of the sexiest songs of Gaga's career. In fact , the song is pure sex in audible form. Gaga wanting to be the 'girl under you '. It harks back to The Fame era. But the song is not regressive but more mature and sexy sonically. The sexual anthemics continue on the stomping Sexx Dreams which debuted at Septembers SwineFest in London.
Initially , there was disappointment at first listen as Gaga has tweaked the album version from her Itunes Festival performance. However it is one of the standouts of the album as was expected. " when I lay in bed , I touch myself and think of you " Gaga purrs before that 80's chorus hits you like a juggernaut. It's Gaga playing the tease . A musical masturbation that will pack dancefloors on every gay nightclub worldwide. It's rousing and playful in its delivery and potentially a huge hit for Gaga.
RnB influences are sprinkled lightly throughout the record , and Jewels and Drugs is one such track, Gaga assisted by Twista and T.I and Too Short talk about their excesses. It may not be one of the more memorable tracks on the album , but it's swaggering beats make it highly listenable. It does''t feel out of place within the album.
MANicure follows in raucous , rocky fashion. One of Gaga's best vocals on the record. The handclaps and rock riffs are irresistible , it is spectacular pop that should be huge. The vocals are huge , the track is huge. Gaga's raspiness on the opening lines are abrasive and brashy. To these ears , it wouldn't sound out of place on a Blondie album.
Do What U Want , featuring R&B legend R Kelly , the second single from the album is sslinky , sexy . R&B. Gaga and R Kelly on paper sounds like an odd pairing but this is very much a stellar collaboration. Gaga is in fine voice throughout. The opening beat is seductive and slinky and the chorus is addictive.
We then come to the title track which chills things down a beat after the pulsating and exhilarating tracks that come before. The intro has more than a shade of Madonna's 1995 hit Bedtime Story. It sounds like it could become a fan favourite and is a brilliantly constructed track.
The angry , ravey Swine follows. " You're just a pig inside a human body ". Its a batshit , bonkers , thumping rave that is one of the standouts of ARTPOP. Brilliantly bitchy in it's sentiment without sounding conceited.
Donatella meanwhile is a bitchy celebration of the fashion industry , with tongue in cheek lyrics especially the opening lines and Gaga again espousing about lifestyle excesses and being . Again it's campy , cheeky and like the older , snarkier sister of Money Honey in tone.
The celebration of all things sartorial continues on the divine Fashion. A gorgeous track , especially the opening piano. Gaga is "looking good and feeling fine " as she suitably struts her way through this 80's flecked triumph that blends , Bowie , Blondie and the Pet Shop Boys. It's spectacular.
Mary Jane Holland keeps the euphoric pace of the record going. It's a hit or miss spot on the album for me. Again , I get the feeling this could be favourite amongst diehard fans. Its Gaga at her grandiose best , and fits the album perfectly.
Dope is the only "ballad " on the record. the song which started life as I Wanna Be With You. It's definitely the yearning , vulnerable comedown of the record after the thrilling 12 tracks that preceded it. Gaga's almost slurred vocals are heartbreaking. You can just picture her , on the piano , in the small hours , panda eyed and broken. There is something quite stunning about the track. " I need you more than dope "
Gypsy is the albums penultimate track and boy is it a corker. A definite worldwide smash in waiting. Edge Of Glory-esque vocals. Gaga celebrates her gypsy , nomadic life on the road. The heartbreaking " I dont wanna be alone forever , but I can be tonight " . It's euphoric , power pop of the sort that Gaga excels in. Stunning , beautiful track that showcases Gaga's often underrated vocal chops. Superb.
Applause brings the curtain down on a pop odyssey that leaves you gasping for an encore. Gaga may be pop's biggest narcissist along with perhaps Kanye. But this time around there is reason to believe the hype. Gaga's labour of love is a spectacularly , consistently brilliant pop album , that leaves her stratospheres ahead of her pop contemporaries. ARTPOP is an experience as much as it is a record. Embrace it.
Where Born This Way , was at times overblown and lacked a certain quality control , ARTPOP feels more cohesive and less serious. Gaga sounds like she's having a ball.
Lyrically , she's found wanting in places. But her songwriting can only get better.
Sexx dreams , jewels , drugs , fashion , sex , dance , art , pop , swines , gypsy life and dope. Cue the applause. ARTPOP deserves every last clap
8.5/10
Wayne Power , The Playlist
POTENTIAL SINGLES -Sexx Dreams, MANicure , Swine , Gypsy
Watch Lady Gaga's X Factor medley of Venus and Do What U Want below
