The queen of the pop music scene, Lady Gaga, released her third full-length album “ARTPOP” on Nov. 11. I can proudly say that I was one of the many Gaga fans waiting anxiously for “ARTPOP.” The first single, “Applause,” foreshadowed a fun and fabulous album. The ‘80s-style synthesized track was an immediate hit, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has remained on the chart for 12 weeks so far.
Suffering from a hip injury several months ago, Gaga was out of the spotlight for some time before her “ARTPOP” phenomenon began to build. Her excitement was obvious as she posted subtle hints toward the album and lyrics on her Twitter account as the album was coming together.
She even released an app with app-designer Relative Wave and visual artist Jeff Koons to accompany “ARTPOP” available for free on Android and iOS devices.
Gaga never ceases to amaze me and I would gladly kiss the ground she walked on if given the opportunity. Although I am a fan, I cannot honestly say that “ARTPOP” is the greatest album ever.
That being said, I am far more in love with it than I am out of love with it. There are a few misses, including “Fashion!” which seems to be more of a bland, filler song, but I can easily listen to this entire album in one sitting without feeling the need to skip songs. The theme of this album is more up in the air, though. In the album —titled track, “ARTPOP,” Gaga sings, “My artpop could be anything.” I love Gaga’s air of mystery and suspense, and “ARTPOP” retains these elements nicely.
A few consistencies I have noted throughout my extensive listening is her homage to the Roman and Greek gods. The second track on the album, “Venus,” is a highly electronic, upbeat song paired with Gaga’s powerful vocals.
“Venus” makes for a great dance song, paying tribute to Venus, “I can’t help the way I’m feeling / Goddess of love, please take me to your leader” and Aphrodite “lady seashell bikini.” The song is a play on words, as Gaga takes listeners on a journey throughout the planets of our solar system.
The next song, “G.U.Y.,” which is an ironic abbreviation for “girl under you,” begins with a greeting to Himerus, god of sexual desire and Aphrodite’s son. This brings me to another point on “ARTPOP,” the album is dripping with sexuality; Gaga has created a cathartic, carnal spectacle one can listen to without inhibitions. Where Gaga has never been shy in expressing her sexuality, in her previous albums it has been more metaphorical and reminiscent of freedom and individuality.
The seventh song, “Do What U Want” featuring R. Kelly, is a fluid, melodic trance song in which Gaga says, “Write what you want, say what you want about me / If you’re wondering know that I’m not sorry / Do what you want, what you want with my body / what you want with my body.” This track goes along to reinforce her independence as a musician and a writer, and it makes for a great song to chill out to while still feeling fierce and rebellious. Other featured artists on the album include T.I., Twista and Too Short.
“Gypsy” is toward the end of the album and I would be surprised if it doesn’t become one of the album’s biggest hits. It is a ballad, unlike many of the electronic club songs on the album, but it also possesses the bass-bumping that creates a need to dance. Overall, I love the album and will listen to it on repeat. It isn’t perfect, but I am willing to recommend it to anyone.
“ARTPOP” runs at 59 minutes an six seconds. It costs $14.99 on iTunes and $5.99 on Google Play.
