James Christopher Sheppard reviews Born This Way by Lady Gaga; and recants his earlier opinion...
At last, after months of ultra-hype, Born This Way, the brand new Lady Gaga album, has arrived. Letās see if it lives up to the expectations.
āMarry The Nightā
Straight into a haunting melodic club track, Gaga sets the pace for the album in style. This is a great song to bridge the gap between The Fame Monster to Born This Way, showing evolution in sound, but playing to Gagaās strengths. āMarry the Nightā eases you into the new album with a soft start, but that quickly turns into those hammering beats Gaga has been promising for months.
āBorn This Wayā
The title track and first single, which went on to become Gagaās biggest hit in the USA, was met with controversial comparisons to Madonnaās āExpress Yourselfā. While it is less edgy to her previous headline grabbing singles, āBorn This Wayā seems to have established itself as THE guilty pleasure. You shouldnāt love it, but eventually, with every listen, you crank it up and dance like the empowered little freak you really are.
āGovernment Hookerā
Beginning like a track made for the cult film āRepo: The Genetic Operaā, the dirty bass and futuristic messy industrial distortion establishes Lady Gagaās progression as an artist. This sounds like nothing she has ever done before, yet it somehow seems to be a natural fit. āGovernment Hookerā quickly dispels the feeling of guilty pleasure from the album.
āJudasā
Second single, which at first received only a luke-warm reception and disappointing sales, now seems to be building momentum. It just proves that it doesnāt matter how big you are, you still need to promote to sell. Gaga performed āJudasā on Graham Norton last week, which was her first UK performance of the song. It definitely gets better with each listen and logs itself into your brain, particularly the āJuda Judaas Juda Judaasā part. Still, an odd choice for second single, but not bad as an album track.
āAmericanoā
Five tracks in and the tempo shows no sign of slowing down or altering. The hammering beat is still present, but this time has a Mexican flamenco touch to it. Possibly aspiring to be this albumās āAlejandroāā¦ itās not bad, but itās the least most striking yet.
āHairā
Released already as a promotional song on Itunes, āHairā has received generally positive reviews from fans all over the Internet. Lady Gaga has said in interviews that it is some peopleās favourite track from the album, but I personally just donāt really connect with a song thatās chorus is passionately singing āI am my hairā. The song sounds great however, with punchy ultra-electro elements that thump along next to a piano and a saxophone.
āScheiĆeā
Oh my goodness. German language, german accented speaking, bass heavy hammering industrial beats that smack against a 90s techno beat with synths that Felixās āDonāt You Want Meā would be proud of. This is the most dance that Gaga has ever sounded. Kind of addictive and kind of bonkers. āI donāt speak Germa, but I can if you likeāā¦
āBloody Maryā
The tempo slows down momentarily for āBloody Maryā. Religion returns as the main theme, but is far softer than āJudasā. While this is mid-tempo, it is dark, synth-orientated and very dance-friendly.
āBad Kidsā
Sounding the most like Gagaās earlier tracks, āDirty Ice Creamā anybody? Perfectly listenable, fun and danceable, āBad Kidsā is just not a stand out track from the rest of this collection. Still, considering the quality of this song and it not being a standout, that is something quite admirable.
āHighway Unicorn (Highway to Love)ā
Sounding inspired by Journeyās āDonāt Stop Believingā, āHighway Unicornā is industrial orientated and bass-heavy euphoria. There is so much going on here that it is easy to get a little overwhelmed and lost in it. This one will definitely take a few listens, but after those listens, it could well be a fan favourite.
āHeavy Metal Loverā
An understated song, this is not what you would expect from the āHeavy Metal Loverā title, resembling more āSo Happy I Could Dieā from The Fame Monster or a brilliant Goldfrapp track. Without those hammering beats, this is softer and entwines its way into your mind. There is potential for some awesome remixes of this track, and thereās a lot to play with here in a live setting.
āElectric Chapelā
āIf you want me, meet me at electric chapelā Gaga sings over this stomping euro-synth number. Similarly understated, like āHeavy Metal Loverā, but with thumping beats and some unexpected electric guitar solos. āElectric Chapelā probably sounds the least like the Gaga we are already familiar with. Itās pretty damn good though, despite the rather sudden ending.
āYou and Iā
Performed several times on āThe Monster Ballā tour, we can finally hear the final version of āYou and Iā. Fans may be surprised that this usual soft ballad has been given full on production, with 80s tinged backing vocals and slow, but heavy beats throughout. I take back my previous statement; THIS is the least Gaga we have ever heard. A piano led ballad would have been less surprising. The production completely changes this song from the version they are familiar with, it could almost be a Shania Twain track from her Come on Over album.
āThe Edge of Gloryā
Recently released as a promotional single for the album, āThe Edge of Gloryā will be known to many as it unexpectedly shot to #1 all over the world, including the UK Itunes charts. Itās easy to see why the song is so loved, following an incredibly emotional and powerful performance of it at Radio 1ās Big Weekend last weekend. This is one of Lady Gagaās most uplifting songs ever, with no gimmicks, just solid production, beautiful lyrics and a powerful vocal. The saxophone brings a new dimension to the track, which has elements of Patrick Wolfās latest single, āThe Cityā. āThe Edge of Gloryā really demonstrates Lady Gagaās ability to write a brilliant song without any controversy or shock factor.
So, despite the few cheesy moments, what would a pop record that is celebrating being different or an outsider be without them? Born This Way is going to send Lady Gagaās devoted following of monsters into a frenzy when they first hear this collection of sledgehammering beats and quirkiness that could only be one woman. For everyone else, if you enjoyed The Fame and The Fame Monster, you will undoubtedly love Born This Way. For those concerned that the first few singles were not to their taste, do not fear as they most certainly do not represent the best of what is here. Well done, Gaga. Not bad at all.
JCS is the music critic for Eyewear. He is currently based in Hull.
Comments
I haven't bought 'Born This Way' yet but as soon as my wife returns the tenner she owes me, I shall be in HMV Swansea purchasing my copy.
Best wishes from Simon
I'd bought born this way album, I always listen lady gaga songs. I really idolize her. Her outfits are awesome as well as her songs! Gaga rocks!
My copy of 'Born This Way' arrived yesterday and to be honest I didn't like it quite as much as 'The Fame'. Perhaps I just need to play it a few more times. It is probably one of those albums that gradually grow on you.
Best wishes from Simon