So I decided to start reviewing albums and decided to start with ARTPOP. Keep in mind that this is purely my own opinion and there is no ill feelings are behind me reviews. A negative reception is not a bad thing, it just means there is room for improvement. Now to begin.
BESTS:
1. Do What U Want ft. R. Kelly.
Without a doubt the best song on ARTPOP. Although it didn't have the best vocals or best instrumental in the album, it did have the perfect blend between the two. The production was everything. Gaga never overpowered the instrumental or vice versa; her vocal were always clear and the instrumental sustained the sound. It also has one of the best lyrics in the album. The bridge is unlike most Gaga-esque bridges. It's not the climax point, it's more of the resolution of the song, which is a nice change. Most Gaga songs build up to the bridge and resolve the song with the last chorus, but here the song builds up after the bridge. The only criticism I have for the song is that I wish the album version had been the one with Christina. For once, Christina is tame with the vocals and he blends surprisingly well with Gaga. R. Kelly's verse just didn't quite match the sentiment of the song.
2. Sexxx Dreams
Although it might be an unpopular opinion, I firmly believe that this song has the best vocals in the album. Her voice is manipulated so that all the notes it the correct intervals, but the producer did so while keeping the rawness behind her voice. It's aggressive and vulnerable at the same time, which matches the theme of the song. I also love the self-battle that Gaga create with her lyrics. On one hand, Gaga wants to give into her sexual thoughts in go all out, while the other voice in her head is telling her to play it safe and wants to stop the torture. All in all, it has one of the most playful and clever lyrics in the album, right after.....
3. G.U.Y
Yas queen. My favorite part of this song is perhaps that signature Zedd knotty bass. Zedd just made a remarkable job with this instrumental. The second best part of this instrumental is how he integrates Gaga's vocals into it. Some of you might not have noticed, but they "ah oh oh oh oh ah ah oh" part of the instrumental are Gaga's vocals. Hear it here at 0:16, 0:52, 1:52 and 2:45:
And doesn't really need to be said, but the double and triple entendres in the song are amazing. From "G.U.Y.", to "G.I.R.L.", to "Our sexes don't tell us no lies", and "I don't need to be on top".
4. ARTPOP
The title track and infamous "car song" ft. CD girl. Although not particularly hard-hitting, i's nice to take break from all the heavy EDM music. Although still electronic, this song brings a new sound by bringing psychedelic vibes, and the lyric support the sound. It also takes the cake for the best line in the album, with "Lover's kites are flown beaches for public sight." Also shout-out to the the 4 Non Blondes-like "hee hee"s.
5. Fashion!
The underdog of the album. The lyrics are clever, the vocals are close to the best in the album, but the best part is the instrumental. THAT BASS LINE THO. As a bass player, I can tell you I would have a ton of fun playing this simple yet funky bass. We haven't even talked about the acoustic and electric guitars in yet. Although scarce, both string parts light up the chorus. This instrumental has everything to be honest. Synths, violins, guitars, bass, piano, drums, and it all works. This song is also a change from the usual Gaga formula. Like DWUW, thing song only builds up after the bridge, but to make it even better, the song doesn't end in a chorus. Revolutionary!
Honorable mentions: MANiCURE and Applause (Applause is more of a meh tho, it didn't really bring anything new to the table. I bumped it up because I know Gaga didn't want it in the album).
MEHS:
1. Mary Jane Holland:
This is more of a best than a meh, but I bumped it down because of the production. The instrumental is just simply way too loud. I can't listen to this with my earphones without feeling like I'm going to blow my eardrums. And that's not a good thing. The instrumental overpowers the vocals, and I'm not a fan of the screeching synth throughout the song. I do like the "puff in, puff out" tho.
2. Gypsy
I know, this is a fan favorite. I like the song, it's perhaps one of the mot personal ones in the album, but I always get super disappointed after the bridge. Why? Because the song calls begs SCREAMS for a key change and it never happens. See what i mean here at 3:06:
3. Dope
This is gonna be a short one. It's only a meh because of the production. Sorry but Rick Rubin ruined this one. It was fine as a piano-only song, but then that bass comes in
4. Swine
Please don't stone me. Don't get me wrong, I like the instrumental, but that's about it. Yeah yeah, Gaga' vocals are powerful and raw and what not, but unlike Sexxx Dreams, the way her vocals have been modified in this song is a little off-putting. At some points you can even hear the autotune clearly, and sometimes you can't even tell what Gaga is saying because she mumbles the lyrics. I like the message behind the song, it's one of the most serious in the song, but I think he executed it poorly. I wish her message would resonate more on the lyrics and less on the instrumental. The lyrics are what really make this song a meh. It's a nice song to party to, but not much besides that.
WORSTS
1. Venus
Not really my cup of tea. The pre-chorus and chorus are so promising, but the structure of the verse and the horrible bridge overshadow that. Other than that, i has cool harmonies. It really had potential, but Gaga can grow more as a producer.
2. Donatella
Sorry but . Not even Zedd can save this one. The instrumental is good, but Gaga's vocals and lyric ruin the song for me. Actually, it's mostly the lyrics. "Walk down the runway but don't puke, you just had a salad today." what? I'm also not here for her stereotyping gays.
3. Jewels N' Drugs
The absolute worst in the album, and I'm not saying this because it's a hip hop song. In fact, it's a great rap song. The part where it misses is with Gaga. Gaga just ins't giving it the right vibe, which is weird because he totally pulled it off with Wale. Maybe trap/rap just isn't her thing. Listen to this version without Gaga that I made so you can hear what I mean:
EDIT: Whoops, I missed Aura. It's somewhere between a Meh and a Worst for me. Not a fan of the mix between her voice and the complextro background. Again, like Swine, it's a good song to dance and party to, but not much else. The lyrics promising but don't quite make sense and don't seem to go anywhere, so that kills it for me as well.