I dont believe the naivety of people who say they wont share links of a leak or whatever
tbh.. EVERY record company - ESPECIALLY the biggest ones, APPROVE leaks and sometimes actually leak albums THEMSELVES to generate more buzz and sales..
Watch that HDD prediction soar above 375k.. after this leak..
1. Aura [7/10]
Bonkers song with a great chorus. Lots of attitude and dynamic production. Let down by the re-recorded verse vocals.
2. Venus [9/10]
Wacky Gaga on top form. The verses are textured and intriguing, the chorus soars and the bridge is camp gold. The only thing I dislike is the sloppy transition between verse and pre-chorus which results in unnecessary disjointedness.
3. G.U.Y [10/10]
Bit different for her. Electronic with R&B flavour and 90s/00s pop melodies. LoveGame's older sister making out with her rockstar boyfriend.
4. Sexxx Dreams [10/10]
Further successful delving into R&B flavour. 90s Janet combined with grinding synths. Definite highlight from the moment I heard it at SwineFest.
5. Jewels N' Drugs [6/10]
It's fine.
6. MANiCURE [9/10]
A pre-Fame Gaga throwback. Catchy, glam and energetic with rock flavour. Production that grabs your attention and great vocals.
7. Do What U Want [10/10]
More R&B-meets-electropop goodness. Great chorus and energy. R Kelly is a nice addition and I do like hearing her duet with male voices, but it's not a next level feature a la Beyonce on Telephone.
8. ARTPOP [10/10]
Highlight. Smooth, rolling pop perfection.
9. Swine [8/10]
Bizarre lyrics combined with a killer beat. This was made to be performed live and it'll be a tour highlight.
10. Donatella [8/10]
Campy and brassy. It's Gaga at her most Fame but with fresh almost j/k-pop sensibilities in parts. I'd rag on the lyrics, but it's obviously supposed to be silly and fun.
11. Fashion! [3/10]
Bleugh. Sounds like the lovechild of RuPaul and Bowie, the throwback minimal groove is somewhat welcome after the intense productions but it has little hook to speak of and is generally quite pointless. At least it isn't a generic club track though, which it could have been considering the producers. Fashion 1.0 is better.
12. Mary Jane Holland [10/10]
ARTPOP's Bloody Mary. Dark grinding synths and theatrical vocal delivery. ABBA-rock bridge is great fun.
13. Dope [5/10]
The lyrics are better than IWBWY, bar the actual 'need you more than Dope', but the song isn't improved really. The production is plonky and weird. I feel this track is a missed opportunity. It should have been a slow, melancholic and hazy ballad.
14. Gypsy [9/10]
So campy, but good. Great vocals and I like the lyrics. I may be alone here, but I feel there's a country flavour? I can see this being people's guilty pleasure.
15. Applause [9/10]
Lacked the 'epic' feel we expect from Gaga leads, but it does the job as a catchy pop jam. The chorus is strong and the production is on point. Despite its flaws, you can see it being a notable Gaga single in her catalogue due to the content/theme of the track.
Probable singles:
#1 Applause
#2 Do What U Want
#3 Gypsy
#4 Sex Dreams/G.U.Y
14. Gypsy [9/10]
So campy, but good. Great vocals and I like the lyrics. I may be alone here, but I feel there's a country flavour? I can see this being people's guilty pleasure.
