Lady Gaga is many things; she is bizarre, a shock-value pioneer, the proud wearer of the hair-bow among many other odd styles, and the owner of many strange outfits and heel-less shoes. However, under closer inspection, she is also very intelligent, an activist, a pianist, a poet, a songwriter, an entertainer and above all, a damn good singer. When she first came onto the scene with “Just Dance,” I remember admitting the song was catchy, but didn't think she would last in a musical world obsessed with Katy Perry and Britney Spears' 15th (?) comeback. With the release of “Poker Face” and “Paparazzi,” I was intrigued, but not entirely sold. Eventually I understood; Gaga was only getting started and wouldn't be going anywhere any time soon.
Like her previous efforts, The Fame and The Fame Monster, Born This Way is a collection of incredibly catchy tracks that you might not understand upon first listen, but will inevitably have you singing and dancing unashamedly in public or in secret. The record starts with the sound of a church organ in “Marry The Night.” It soon transforms into a synth-heavy club-banger about Gaga's love for the streets of New York. It introduces the sound of the album; a strong dose of electronic dance-pop with lyrics centered around religion, sex, gay pride, self-empowerment and... unicorns? Some lyrics literally make you stop and think: WTF? As is the case in gritty disco tracks “Scheiße,” “Government Hooker,” and “Heavy Metal Lover,” uttering lines such as “I don't speak German, but I can if you like” and “Put your hands on me, John F. Kennedy” and finally “I want your whiskey mouth all over my blonde south.” At least she's got your attention.
Oddities aside, Gaga created an album compiling 14 songs she wanted to sound new and fresh and unlike anything she has done in the past. I think she achieved that to an extent with a handful of the record taking an artsy approach (I speak in terms of today's pop music, where she reigns as a Top 40 queen). What she really did with this album was fuse her heavy electronic beats with 80's glitz and glamour. Somehow, it works. Take for instance "The Edge of Glory" which features a Clarence Clemons saxophone solo. Highlights include “Bloody Mary,” “Americano” (a fresh take on The Fame Monster's “Alejandro”), “Heavy Metal Lover,” “Bad Kids,” “Scheiße,” and title track “Born This Way.” To be completely honest, I love the entire album and have played it on a continuous loop for days, with the exception of “Yoü And I,” Gaga's country love song to the state of Nebraska. Not really a fan of that one.
Lady Gaga - "Heavy Metal Lover"
You can call her crazy and absurd, mock her ideals, outfits and the way she chooses to make her statements. Yet, even if you are not a fan, I don't think you can deny her talent. Born this way or not, she is shaping up to be our next big pop star. I wouldn't say Michael Jackson or Madonna level just yet, but perhaps one day...
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