Lady Gaga’s much anticipated sophomore release (or third album if you count The Fame Monster as her second) will be released on Monday, May 23rd.
The album opens up with “Marry The Night”, a song about Lady Gaga’s love for her native New York. Fusing electronic beats with interesting lyrics about belonging, her vocals are not drowned out and the production is quite good on this, especially after the bridge.
“Marry The Night” is a decent album opener, followed by her mega-hit “Born This Way”. And while I believe the song itself was driven more by hype than quality (It has become Lady Gaga’s biggest hit but I don’t think it’s her best song), it sets the tone for the message Lady Gaga wants to get across with this album: embrace who you are, regardless of who that might be.
“Born This Way” is followed by “Government Hooker”, arguably one of the most hyped about tracks of the album. Starting off with a very interesting beat, Government Hooker has a brilliant line on the bridge: “put your hands on me John F. Kennedy.” But is this the monster song of the album? No. It is not something I can find myself repeating on end although I can definitely see it being played at some night clubs courtesy of its stunning beat.
And then comes “Judas”, probably the most controversial song on the album. Discussing the struggle between love and sin with a religious twist, “Judas” was the album’s second single but failed to become a mega-hit on pop radio, even though it follows the “Bad Romance” style closely. What “Judas” and “Government Hooker” have in common is their similarity is their euro-pop roots.
“Americano” is a song that fuses latin beats. It is the “Alejandro” of the album, but unlike “Alejandro”, “Americano” doesn’t pack an extra-punch that would make it a viable radio single. “Americano” is a song about a lesbian romance in L.A. This is followed by “Hair”, a song that I feel belongs on the album of a much younger artist than Lady Gaga. The lyrics on it are corny and sometimes ridiculous. Some are saying this is her song for the tween audience, but I think it could have been so much better. For my full review of Hair, go here.
“Schiße” is a track incorporating German lyrics that I don’t understand. The beat is interesting, however. “Bloody Mary” is another song with religious inferences but it is a very interesting song. Do not be fooled by the song starting off with music reminiscent of Broadway musicals, the beat that comes later on is as grinding as the other songs on the album.
“Bad Kids” is the anthem to anyone who hasn’t grown out of misbehaving. It is her homage to the NYC Club Kids era. “Highway Unicorn” is a song about driving down on the highway in a convertible, another song about freedom and being born to be wild.
“Heavy Metal Lover” is Lady Gaga’s take on fetishes and it is more hardcore than Rihanna’s S&M. While I’m definitely not in this song’s target audience (the genre referenced in the title isn’t something I normally listen to as well), some people will like it. Different strokes, I guess. The song has, however, very cool vocalizations in the background.
“Electric Chapel” is an over the top song, driven by electronic beats where she tells the guy not to be a “holy fool”, a lyric also used in “Judas”, and meet her at the electric chapel. The song, like the many songs before it, also incorporates elements from 1980s music, albeit fusing them with sci-fi elements that lack in other songs.
“You and I” is the first track off the album that people heard when it was performed live last year. This is a piano-driven ballad with electronic beats as well, making for a rather unique sound. The album concludes with Lady Gaga’s current single, “The Edge of Glory”, about being on the edge of something great, be it love, life… the lyrics to this are good, as well as a brilliant saxophone breakdown. However, as I said before, I would have liked it to be slower.
“Born This Way” is an album that can’t be separated from hype because hype existed before the album was even conceived. Prior to its release, Lady Gaga had declared that this album would be the “greatest album of the decade”. I’m sorry, Lady Gaga. While this is a good album, it is not a classic that will go down in the books as the best album of the 2010s. Sure, it is different from most of the mainstream music currently being played, but it doesn’t stray far from that. After all, there isn’t a song on this that doesn’t have an electric beat, even the one that was labeled as a ballad.
So overall, horrible cover and Madonna-comparisons aside, this is an album that holds its own in a music climate where doing so isn’t enough. Yes, it will sell millions of copies and bring in millions for Lady Gaga and her label, but will it be enough to take award-gold? Some award shows will honor it. Others won’t. This is will be far from a clean sweep. But kudos for Lady Gaga on making a record expressing what she believes in, regardless of how radio-friendly it may sound (and on most songs, it actually is radio friendly). However, will this the coveted Album Of The Year at the Grammys? I’m going with no.
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“Album of the Decade” : I’d like to mention that when she said that, she explicitly had her fans in her mind. It’s quite annoying to keep hearing it being said out of context.
I don’t care if this album won’t be the album of the decade anyway and no one should either. If you’re going to judge her for what she says then I’d like to invite you to actually listen to the stuff that matters. I could link some interviews if you’d like. Unlike her other contemporaries, this is the only album so far in this century that isn’t going to be forgotten. The entire freakin’ album is about self-expression and I’m sure her entire fan base is going to fall for it one way or another because this album has a little of something for everyone.
If you listen to the lyrics of the songs more closely you’d realize that every song tackles a different dimension of our personality…it’s about freedom
Hair’s about freedom of expression
Government Hooker is about freedom from censorship
Sheisse is about female empowerment/freedom
Bloody Mary is about freedom from religion
Born This Way is about freedom from prejudice
Judas is about freedom from contempt
Americano is about freedom from limits
etc etc…
This whole album has one theme and it sticks to it the whole way through and finishes it off with the best pop song of this century: Edge of Glory
“Madonna comparisons aside”: I hope this only applies to Born This Way (song ) in your head because if we’re going to start comparing the songs of the album to an artist it would be much more Bonnie Taylor than Madonna.
In fact I’d like to point out that this whole album is a mashup of all 80s music including your Madge, which isn’t a bad thing at all.
If it doesn’t win Album of the Year I wouldn’t care and neither would most of her fans, but I think the only artist out there that could give GaGa a worry is Adele, who’s fanbase is mostly adults which Born This Way clearly does not focus on most of the time.
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Seriously? so just because she said her fans will adore this doesn’t allow me to say if what she said is correct or not?
Again, I think you’re putting too much value to the album. Only album this century that won’t be forgotten? that’s kind of a huge overstretch.
Sure, it sticks with a theme (as I had pointed out) and doesn’t stray far from it and sometimes that’s a good thing (in this case it is) and other times, the issue becomes redundant. As I said, the album is good, but not as good as Lady Gaga or her fans pointed it out to be. I’ve had my twitter timeline full of “little monsters” gushing over how “epic” the album is. I didn’t think it was that epic.
Regarding the Madonna thing, I’m not a fan of Madonna to begin with so that sentence was more out of the overall critique that has been haunting Gaga this era. I’m not familiar with Madonna’s repertoire that much (I have heard songs, mostly on the radio when I don’t have my phone connected).
But yeah, Adele has this in the bag.
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I’m not coming here to your blog to bash your opinions. It’s your blog after all and you’re entitled to what you want to say.
By the looks of it you really aren’t the type of person who normally enjoys pop music. If this album didn’t sound epic to you then I’m sure that’s the reason.
It’s certainly not the best album of all time for everyone, but there’s no denying that every song on the album is pretty good and the whole thing just puts her pop contemporaries to shame.
I’d like to also clarify that Judas did not fail. It’s still selling and it the video was a hit. However, the success of Edge of Glory forced it off the radio since that song is inherently more radio-friendly and less “controversial”. Air-play factors in a lot in single sales and charts.
No you are allowed to say what you will but since you’re not a Lady GaGa fan then you can’t really position yourself in a way to be able to judge her for what she said. The “Haus of GaGa” which is her company tweeted that this is the best album ever made, which isn’t necessarily true. Lady GaGa herself said that this album is going to be the album of the decade for her monsters and I’m pretty sure it’s because the whole thing is dedicated to them. “Put your paws up” in the Born this Way single should be your first clue. I’m sure you won’t be putting your “paws” up anytime soon.
Why would Lady GaGa put herself in this position anyway? What about her next album? Is she insinuating that it’s going to be worse than this one?
I’m sure that’s not the case.
Lady GaGa’s changed herself in a lot of ways since the Fame Monster but I don’t see how that is a bad thing. If she stays the same people call her out for being too repetitive and if she changes people ask her to go back to her old roots. This is only her second album. Why would you want a Fame Monster 2.0?
Judging from twitter and facebook, I’m pretty sure this album is going to fare much better than the Fame Monster. It’s an hour long album and its going to have 9 singles supposedly. It’s also one hell of a dance album with meaning to it.
I think everyone should be able to enjoy at least one song from it 🙂
Take care
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I don’t think you’re bashing. You didn’t call me stupid after all.
I do enjoy pop music sometimes but I’m not the biggest fan, again, I prefer country as evident by my more than glowing review for Remind Me (someone told me the review was even read by Brad Paisley. Go figure!)
So this to me is just a good album. I understand those who love it the same way I understand those not loving it. I’m more in between: I like some songs, dislike others but can appreciate the idea. I tried to get that across in the review and I think I managed to do so. What bugs me is that when I don’t like Gaga’s music, I get bashed. And when I don’t like it enough, I get bashed. There’s no middle ground apparently.
Regarding Judas, I’ve followed its chart run on pop radio closely. Video and TV-performance of a song don’t fuel its sales as much as airplay and Judas got to a point at around #15 on top40 in the US and just stalled and then crashed. The Edge of Glory was the mercy bullet and as I said, the third single (back when you told me it was only a promotional single, I was sure it is the 3rd single).
Regarding the album of the decade thing, it’s just part of the hype built for the album and I treated it as such. If it’s on twitter then it’s for the whole world to see. I’d judge any other artist accordingly if they said their album is the album of the decade, be it for their fans or not. And no, I don’t think I’ll be putting my “paws” up any time soon.
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Wow! Spoken like a truly delusional GAG MINION aka LITTLE TROLLSTER. You troll off in so many different tangents that I can’t even understand if you are defending your idol or not.
“If it doesn’t win Album of the Year I wouldn’t care and neither would most of her fans, but I think the only artist out there that could give GaGa a worry is Adele, who’s fanbase is mostly adults which Born This Way clearly does not focus on most of the time.”
Which Born This Way clearly does not focus on? What thing does it not focus on?
Oh please, spare me your pseudo-intellect that you got from that BITCH Gaga.
Remember, monsters are slain 😉
Toodles bitch!
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Stupid Stupid Stupid little person, um let me just begin with little piece of my mind………..This album is as good as any album that I have heard so far in my life. And it’s not just about your opinion, it’s about everybodys. And first of all Judas might have failed on the radio, but it has not failed on T.V, and Judas is almost number one on the chart. And how much you want a bet that one of these days, sometime next month, that Judas will be number one on the charts? And LebaGaGa is right, this album won’t be forgotten. And I’m not just talking about the value of Judas, I’m talking about every song on the album. Ever song on the album has a meaning to it. And every song on the album is taking pop music to a whole other level. So think twice before you have an ugly review about an album and songs and look at the root of the records and songs. Like I said; It’s not about your opinion, it’s about everybody elses.
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You’re the only one who’s stupid here. Why? because you actually want me to make my opinion a reflection of everyone else. You need to chill. And Judas has failed. Period. Try to sugarcoat it as much as you want, it won’t change the facts, which are very clear.
Maybe you need to relax a little bit and not try to make a big deal out of nothing. I didn’t say the album is bad, I said it’s not as good as Gaga’s fans made it out to be, neither is it as good as she said it would be. But that is my opinion and this is my blog and this is the review that I wrote. Maybe you need to read better, next time? or didn’t they teach you that in kindergarten?
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😉 Sorry for “bitching” in your blog…I am just so sick of everything being over-saturated by this “Lady” (especially the front page of iTunes.) If that Gag Minion “Lebagaga” (wow such an original name: a Lebanese Gag fan) is right about Gag releasing 9 singles, then we are doomed 😉 Adele blows that biatch any day…
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Hahaha I do agree that she is everywhere but Lebagaga’s name is original, I think. He’s Lebanese and a Lady Gaga fan. Nice combo of both. But yeah, I LOLed when I read your comment about being doomed if she releases 9 singles :p I agree :p
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“And first of all Judas might have failed on the radio, but it has not failed on T.V” Ummm really now?
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Lol thank you :p
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Get your facts right before you try to put a person down, just because of thier success…That’s all I’m saying. And I aplogize for calling you stupid, it’s just, you made me very upset. No hard feelings, I’m just trying to say that the album makes a huge statement. And you do not know wether Judas has failed. And in my opinion it is honestly the best album I’ve heard so far in my life, that is all I’m trying to say. No harm done.
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And honestly I think I could read better than you. Now this fight is over.
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Lol, yeah right :p
At least go and check how Judas failed miserably on radio before checking in with me about facts.
You loving the album and me not loving it does not give you the right to remotely address me the way you did. And if you read better than me, why don’t you make your own blog and review this album the way you see fit?
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You talk exactly like a LITTLE TROLLSTER: disrespectful, vindictive, and unintelligent. Stay in school and try not to get pregnant in highschool! 😉 Toodles Bitch!
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Ok, that could be arranged. But I still do feel bad about calling you stupid.
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Here’s a future lesson for you for when you get mad at your friend, blogger, coworkers, boss, etc…
Write your angry post, comment, or e-mail to get it off your chest then take three breaths and click the cancel button. That way you would have let off some steam without getting yourself in a compromising situation 🙂
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I was simply replying to calling me stupid. I could have simply not approved the comment but I’m not a fan of uptight censorship. But there’s a minimum amount of conduct I expect on my blog, since it is my blog after all.
And I actually counted to 10 about replying but felt I had to.
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Thank you LebaGaGa
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Yeah it’s me speaking out of experience 😀
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Experience in being a whore in the States and Lebanon? Gee, how unoriginal your name is! All you little trollsters do is put “haus” or “gaga” in your name. Pathetique!
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Come on now, don’t be disrespectful to him.
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Well I’m glad we have this sorted………
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lol, the German song is called ‘Scheiße’ and basically the lyrics are nonsense. I even don’t understand half of the lyrics, cos her German pronunciation sucks of course XD
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You’re awesome Lyd! 😀
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Ich bin mir absolut klar
Ich trag den Namen Monster
I am absolutely clear (about it)
I am called monster
Sheisse means shit in German. In the context of the song it’s more like bullshit or damnit
It’s about being shot down by someone and wishing that you weren’t stupid enough to fall for it etc..
I have to say that her accent is hilarious but then again it is GaGa after all lol
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Neverland1987 is German :p
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It’s definitely not the album of the decade (GaGa can and will do much better) but I think this will be the best album of the year ‘coz frankly everything else that came out this year was shit. Adele has a nice voice but her songs are dull.
When we talk about the album of the year Born This Way will most likely win it.
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I think Adele’s album is very good actually.
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I really love this album, there is a lot of freedom in her music and that I dare say eliefares can´t understand. He surely prefers empty music with rhythm enough to shake his ass, and then the way he looks is definitely the way the Lady Gaga haters look. Personally I hope mother monster to be the queen of the Grammys. People can’t accept new stuff especially when it is against those who has the power.
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1) You and you mother monster can suck it.
2) It’s my opinion and my blog.
3) I don’t shake my ass to empty useless pop music (an umbrella under which some of Gaga’s songs fit).
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ADELE! This girl sucks! seriously! even britney spears is better than this shit!
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Adele is awesome. She’s different from Lady Gaga. I personally prefer her but those who like more out-of-the-box stuff would prefer Gaga.
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I’m really tired of little monsters, they are delusional and fail to see any thing that doesn’t praise or elevates gaga. And they constantly rip on other artist, some who’ve been in the industry way over 3 years just because they know thay if gagas cheap stunts that get her. The attention her mediocre music can’t. Other artist will take the shine, and throw her off her make-believe thrown. And by the way how pretentious can u b to say ur own name in nearly all ur songs
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I don’t want to say I agree with your whole comment but I do agree with the first part. As you can see, my review of the album is not negative, but it’s not glowing either. It’s just that, a good album. Apparently, that’s not good enough.
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Wat exactly don’t u agree with
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Adele really is not pop, so comparing Lady Gaga and Adele is a no, no.
Oh and zombie. If there is one thing Lady gaga has been attacked with right from the beginning, then its by old pop fans saying “COPY COPY COPY”.
And Elie you handle it really good by saying not 0, not 10. Just 5 😉
Overall i think its an amazing album, because i am into that kind of music.
People may love just as much as they may hate;)
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Yeah I agree. Adele is finding pop success with Rolling In The Deep but everyone’s saying how different that song sounds from everything else on radio. To me, Adele is refreshing to hear and that’s why I like her. There isn’t a song on her album I don’t like, although I like some more than others.
And thank you 🙂 I’m glad you got my review. You like the album a lot, I think it’s just good. So thanks 😀
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You must be tired replying to all the defensive fans. But on the plus side, if you gave a Justin Bieber album a negative review, the trolls you will get on your blog will definitely outnumber Lady Gaga trolls, in a less polite way.
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I’m not even remotely interested in Justin Bieber but I should try that sometime 😛
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Yes and remember Little Monsters are now called LITTLE TROLLSTERS!
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I bought the album for $0.99 and I don’t really like it. The beats are louder than her voice and all the songs sound too similar to eachother. I don’t like the choruses in any of her new songs either.
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Great review! This is exactly the review that should be shared around the internet.
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Nonsense all of it! I’m forever late to this blog because i just came across it and hell, it’s really annoying reading the comments. So bloody childish.
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Adele is just all right for my taste. I preferred Amy Winehouse when she was alive RIP. Adele has a good voice but I grow tired of the poor me my guy left me lyrics in all her songs. But again it’s just my personal taste. Born This Way is easily album of the year for me, I have listened to it every day since it came out! I am a little monster and do not bash others opinions, the ones you are talking about are immature just like a fan of any artist could/might be.
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I really liked the album but I have no problem with this review, its his opinion so calm down. And Shania, you are even worse than delusional fans because all you’re doing is insulting them in your comment instead of stating your opinion on this review/the album. Yes, some fans are crazy, but that doesn’t mean every single person in the fan base is a delusional cunt.
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