“Artpop” is Lady Gaga’s fourth studio album. The anticipated record has received mixed reviews from critics and fans alike.
I used to love Lady Gaga. I loved that she was weird and didn’t care what others thought. Also, the songs she created were catchy as hell. But after some time, the odd clothing, the strange videos and the “I’m so different from everyone” act, got old. Not to mention, she completely sold out.
The first single off the album “Applause” I only know because I’ve heard it too many times on that annoying Kia commercial where the hamsters are overweight and they get in shape to go to some sort of red carpet event. C’mon Gaga. If you’re going to sell out to something, at least make it cooler than hamsters.
One thing I loved about Gaga in the past is she stood for something. “Born This Way” is an amazing song about accepting others for who they are. Now she sings “Don’t want your jewels/I want your drugs” in the track “Jewels N’ Drugs.”
In this album, Gaga took a wrong turn from the direction she was going in after her previous album, “Born This Way,” was released. She had an audience and a voice and she failed to use it to the best of her ability.
Though I am mostly disappointed with the latest album, there are some tracks that are, in typical Gaga fashion, catchy as hell.
“MANiCURE,” the sixth track on the album, has a memorable beat. The lyrics have no depth behind them, but that doesn’t stop it from getting stuck in your head. However, in part of the chorus of the song she just screams ‘manicure’ repeatedly. She does it in such a voice that it reminds me of that “Saturday Night Live” sketch with the two retired porn stars selling products on a QVC-like channel. It’s bland, monotone and just flat out weird.
“MANiCURE” was a flicker of hope for me as I made it halfway through the album. I liked the catchy beat and lyrics and the creepy porn star voice pushed aside, I liked the song. But from there the album falls flat.
The next notable song – and not notable in a good way – is the song “Swine.” Yes, you read that right. She is singing a song about pigs where she literally has sampled a pig’s ‘oink’ in the song.
Throughout the album, her voice is showcased to its full potential on tracks like “Do What U Want” and “Dope,” but the lyrics don’t match up.
The song “Gypsy” is perhaps this album’s only saving grace as it showcases her vocal talent and also has some meaning behind the lyrics.
At this point, “Applause” isn’t sounding too bad to me.
Story by Savannah Sawyer, Features Editor
