Aura - I like the music, the content is a bit confusing. Though, refreshed that she describes the veil as a garment of modesty and beauty, I can't help but feel this is not at all representative of herself. Overall, the song is great. 9/10
Venus - This is an alright electronic pop song. A bit like Katy Perry's 'Alien' that is superior in instrumental complexity, however, it doesn't quite have that memorable hook. Overall, it's a fun song. 8/10
GUY - Please no more spelling songs. This song doesn't have a cohesion or direction. Sure, it works as a stock song at a club, but nothing I want to jam to when I am getting ready to sleep. It's catchy but a bit underdeveloped. 6/10
Sexxx Dreams - Sexy songs are more fun when they are clever and ridden with innuendo. This one doesn't have any seductive or captivating aspects to it. 3/10.
Jewels N Drugs - Honestly, I had to force myself to listen to the song before I judged it. I really didn't see any clear vision in the muddled lyrics, erratic key change and tempo, and the clashing song aesthetics of the featured artists. 2/10
MANiCure - The deeper tone that usually sounds forced and off in other songs she has produced, sort of works for this one. I loved the shouting pronouncements, paying homage to "the fame", but in a more abrasive fashion. Though this was fun, it does seem awfully forgettable. 7/10
What do you want - The start reminded me of the autrocity of electric chapel singing from the throat to sound like an edgy 80's rocker chick, but it just doesn't work well. If not for R. Kelly, the song would have been a total flop...It's mediocre. 5/10
Artpop - The instrumentals are both catchy and discordant, which is tough to pull off. The techno rap didn't work well, and the though her voice sounds great in this one, there needs to more of a hook if she wants this to be pop rather than a techno trance. As a trance, I will give it a 7/10. As a pop song, about a 5/10.
Swine - Again, the forced English 80's rocker makes an appearance. The dubbeats and stabs are the only redeeming qualities of the song. 3/10
Dontella - Some aspects of the song were reminiscent of the fame with an identity of itself own...however, there were a couple lyrics and moments of throaty singing that were slightly off-putting, marring what could have been one of her best songs. 8/10
Fashion! - Again, the cringe-worthy throaty singing moments. Again, this song wasn't coherent and a bit mind-numbing. 3/10
Mary Jane Holland - The bridge was the best component of the song. Though, everything else was yet again mind-numbing, blah, and incoherent. The lyrics were less than appealing or meaningful, yet not simple and carefree (pretension-free) either. 4/10
Dope - This joke sounds downright commical. I could seriously imagine someone singing this on SNL. God, it's just awful. The 80's rocker chick sounds purposefully delivered as a faux pas. Not a single redeeming aspect to this song aside from making me laugh. 1/10
Gypsy - Decent enough. The message is actually meaningful to her, and perhaps anyone struggling between exploring themselves and the world with settling down or grounding themselves by a commitment. Also, some nice catchy instrumentals. Though it still doesn't have that strong hook. 8/10
Applause - Perhaps her strongest song of the album. Great instrumentals and clear and simple message in the lyrics. I love her voice in this one best as well. Lastly, there is finally a strong hook. 8/10
Overall, her album is mediocre, 5/10.
I'd say it's my least favorite album of hers. It's not amazing nor is it downright awful; it's a rather disappointing experience with glimpses of genius and missed opportunities. There are some hidden gems, but ultimately she doesn't seem to have the same command of chord progressions, hooks, and overall interesting yet fun appeal, unburdened by pretension as demonstrated in her other albums. Though Born this Way, had all of the great elements of chord progression and catchy hooks, some but not all, of the songs seemed forced and pretentious. The songs should stand for itself as a body of work rather than need reinforcement by further explanation. This album fails to come together as a body of work, it's disjointed, but had a lot of potential. I see a continued devolution of Gaga as an artist. I have never much appreciated some of her sensationalist behavior, despite that she used to be a great musician...perhaps she still is, but she is struggling to convey that with her audience. This album symbolizes her disconnection.
The Fame - 9 (Excellent)
Fame Monster - 8 (Great)
Born this Way - 6.5 (Average)
Artpop - 5 (Mediocre)
Now that I have listened to this album I can get back to a couple of friends that have encouraged me to listen to it since it is soooo much better than Born this Way.
