How is the woman who redefined the pop-diva aesthetic after debuting with 2008's The Fame now getting upstaged by the likes of Miley Cyrus? All stunts, gimmicks and costumes aside, it goes back to the music.
I went back and listened to Artpop before writing this, and it hasn't held up well. It feels dated, frustrating, and there are few obvious singles. Although Artpop may be a bust, there's no denying a talent as huge as Gaga. She can take heart from her "Telephone" partner Beyoncé, who appeared to be slipping with 2011's 4 before rebounding to deliver the best album of her career in her self-titled surprise set last December.
