The era of eccentric pop artist is over. Officially. Today, Lady Gaga’s new album is available for purchase and it is nothing like you are used to coming from the once enfant terrible of the mainstream. What happened? There are two possible scenarios: either this is another gimmick of Stephania Germanotta after she realized that surrealist, dada, extravagant shit she was pulling of for few years does not sell anymore or she decided to reveal her authentic self. Whatever it is, here is the result. I am pretty sure the music critics will rip her apart, just because everything she does is perceived under a magnifying glass.
Joanne introduces a country rock Gaga, one we have kind of seen before as she was dropping Bruce Springsteen hints at her highly successful album Born This Way. The toned down version of singer suits her well. Whether it is just another marketing stunt or not, Joanne makes several points about Gaga’s artistic persona. First, the girl can hit some crazy noted. Second, she is a well-rounded pop musician who can adapt to almost any genre. Third, the best is yet to come from Lady Gaga.
Diamond Heart opens the album and pretty much sets the tone for the rest of the record. It is an autobiographical song about the singer’s alleged rape and her go-go days in New York. The pop-rock melody is polished with an exquisite production by Mark Ronson who worked with Gaga on every song. A-Yo, the album’s second single, is supposed to be edgy but it lacks to sound different from anything else coming from Nashville. Country instrumentals are dull, but the Marijuana-driven lyrics might be the most fun on Joanne.
I can’t wait to smoke them all
Whole pack like Marlboro
Blow it in your face, blow it in your face
Blow it in your, blow it in your face
I can’t wait to rev you up
Faster than you can say Ferrari
Tearing up the gravel, watch you unravel
Now it’s a party
My favorite is the title track, Joanne. This might be the most vulnerable we have ever heard Gaga, with the Americana ballade bringing out her simplest version yet. Dedicated to her aunt who passed away from lupus before Gaga was born, this song might be the only memorable from this phase of Gaga’s career. The singer described the track as the heart and soul of the whole album.
John Wayne is the only radio-friendly potential hit, while Dancing in Circles sees Beck as the co-writer which doesn’t make any sense. The song is hackneyed trash pop.
Sinner’s Prayer resembles Bob Dylan in a manner of Madonna’s album Music. Duet with Florence Welch is a lackluster, mainly because non of the artists managed to showcase their essence. Also, the lyrics and melody are simply dull.
Even though the highly-anticipated album did not leave me breathless, I gotta give it to Lady Gaga for being brave enough to go against the wind. Departing from her signature electro-dance sound takes a lot of balls. Let’s just hope the future material will reveal something more creative.
