Here's my review of ARTPOP after playing this nonstop since it leaked.
1. Aura-8/10-This song is pretty amazing aside from the first verse (the new vocals are horrible
). I've lost interest in this song recently because of all the new songs that just leaked, but it remains a great pop song.
2. Venus-8/10-Great hooks but a little disjointed. Still, Gaga has some great vocals and her production is nearly flawless. This song has an epic sound to it and the bridge is a nice change of pace.
3. G.U.Y.-10/10-One of the best songs of her career. The endless onslaught of hook after hook after hook. Absolute genius
Also the best power bottom anthem ever written
4. Sexxx Dreams-9.5/10-I love the new vocals on the chorus and adlibs at the end of the song. The bridge is a little awkward but everything else slays. Already f*cked to this too
5. Jewels N' Drugs-7/10-Not one of my favorites, but Gaga has a killer hook. I have to say the production by DJWS is on point.
6. MANiCURE-9/10-I really love this song but I am pretty upset that they removed the "HEEEEEAAALLLLLL MEEEE" part from the chorus and moved it to the bridge so its only sung once
The new chorus is just not as good. The vocals on this track sound a little strange; I think Gaga has soul/rock vocals on it live but it didn't sound as good on the studio track. Still, great melody and extremely catchy. The breakdown slays me every time.
7. Do What U Want-10/10-Gaga and R. Kelly both slay vocally and sound great together. The tune is extremely catchy and the production is flawless. This is in my favorite 6 or 7 Gaga songs.
8. ARTPOP-9/10-Gaga's smooth, soothing vocals and light "hee hee"s make this sound both beautifully organic and electronic at the same time. The production is amazing, and this song really takes you to another universe--one ruled by Gaga and full of little monsters, bricks, and strings.
9. Swine-7/10-Gaga's vocals sound rough and unfinished and the melody, while catchy, is so overshadowed and bookended by the electronic production. I thought this song had more potential, but I can confirm that it is pretty fun to drunk dance to.
10. Donatella-9.5/10-Amazing song. I honestly didn't expect this song to be this good. It's ridiculous and ridiculously catchy and completely Gaga. The intro is flawless.
11. Fashion!-8/10-When I heard will.i.am and David Guetta worked on this, I cringed and really didn't expect this to be any good. It turned out to be a smooth disco jam with Gaga serving some queen-like vocals.
12. Mary Jane Holland-9/10-Catchy chorus with grungy, rock-tinged verses make this song Heavy Metal Lover's sexy, more stoned sister.
13. Dope-4/10-This is the only song on the album that I really don't like. It's unfortunate because I loved I Wanna Be With You when she performed it live. It sounds like she was trying to make her voice sound she's drunk/depressed/hungover/addicted to coke...I wish she had just sung it normally. It's a great tune and probably wouldn't have been single material, but I'm still disappointed in this considering it's the only true ballad on the album. The vocals do get a bit better as the song goes along if that's any solace.
14. Gypsy-10/10-This is an amazing, explosive song with a beautiful piano intro. Gaga's vocals sound robust and mature and this is one of the best examples of her vocal abilities. I do think the "I'm a gypsy" part could've been a bit more melodic or less repetitive, but it still is a nice listen. The lyrics are sad, pretty simple, and some of Gaga's best. The "BAAAAABBYYYYYYY" belt at the climax of the song absolutely slays and still gives me chills after a few dozen listens. This has single written all over it and it will likely be one of her most successful ever.
15. Applause-10/10-I have to say that I was honestly somewhat underwhelmed when this was first released. The song is a real grower. The weird Bowie-esque theatrical vocals on the verses are a little strange at first but after a few listens are really deceptively catchy. The chorus is pop genius, and Gaga sings the sh*t out of the whole song, slaying the bridge with her head voice and belting killer harmonies at the end of the song. One of the best songs of her career, and a perfect closer to Gaga's best album to date.
Overall, a masterpiece.
Am gonna love it more than the Swinefest version...
, I love Gypsy, it should def be a single
