Aura - I'm not a big fan of the final version, definitely the worst song on the album. The new verses are really disappointing. The demo version was absolutely flawless, so if it ain't broke don't fix it. I wish another song was the intro of the album.
Venus - No single potential at all, but it's an amazing song. Every single section of the song is a giant hook. I love that it's a like a full-on disco, fun thing.
G.U.Y. - Best song on the album. The intro is new & interesting, the concept of the song is interesting and it is the catchiest song she's done in a long time. MUST be 3rd single (Spring 2014), PLEASE. Release this hymn with her catchiest chorus to date.
Sexxx Dreams - Always loved this song, very ominous, late-night beat. Need to get used to changes in the chorus but it's still one of the best song's she's done. I also think this should be a future single, like next Fall 2014. One of her best choruses. Favorite line: "we could be caught, we're both convicted criminals of thought".
Jewels N' Drugs (featuring T.I., Too $hort & Twista) - The fact that she threw everyone left field with this is amazing, and it really delivers. It shows another side of her we haven't seen before.
The rappers all ride the beat amazingly, and she holds her own next time. Also a potential single, hopefully in Winter 2015.
MANiCURE - This album is full of FAME-esque songs, but if you told me this song was originally written for The Fame I would believe you. It perfectly fits the pop/rock feel of some of that album, it's feel good, catchy, memorable with huge radio potential, & seemingly effortless. ARTPOP's Summer 2014 single has arrived.
Do What U Want (featuring R. Kelly) - 3rd best song on the album, after G.U.Y & Donatella. This also threw everyone left field and it's one of the best thing's she's ever done. R. Kelly sounds fantastic, & this is one of the vocal highlights of the album. Will be her biggest radio hit soon.
ARTPOP - Very chillax song, cool beat. Adds to the album and the meaning of what the album's about. It's a good jam & I'm glad it's on here.
Swine - I thought the title of this song was worrying when I first saw it but the final studio version blew me away as an album highlight. The beat commands you to move around and sing along, and it's one of the best choruses of her career. The grimy production matches the blunt lyrics as well. The sing is just every dance song she's done on steroids.
Donatella - 2nd best song on the album. No single potential, but the beat, The Fame-esque funny lyrics & undeniably phenomenal chorus/verses make this a song I've been waiting for from Gaga for a long time. Can see this being a huge runway anthem and the clubs will probably be all over this. Zedd + Gaga are everything.
Fashion! - You all were so worried about Guetta + will.i.am & this song killed it, no surprise. It''s actually not what I expected, but that's cool. Her vocals here are interesting, very operatic & vibrato - and I like it. Definitely reminds me of The BEP's Fashion Beats from The Beginning. Also imagine this on the runway. Again, Fame influences everywhere. Sadly, don't see it as a single.
Mary Jane Holland - Could've fit right in on The Fame Monster. Cool beat and production, and I like the dark atmosphere of the song. The bridge is the highlight to me (favorite line: "my brunettes start to sprout"). No single potential really, but great album track.
Dope - I love the simplicity of this song and I think the vocals save it from being a by-the-numbers Gaga ballad as usual on her albums. I would rather it not be a single because there are better options available, but it feels very personal and will get fans of "You & I" more interested in ARTPOP. I'm glad the beat never kicked in too much, because that would've kind of ruined the mood. Good job, Rubin.
Gypsy - Honestly, I feel like fans are overrating this. Her best vocals are on this song, but it's just kind of boring - I feel like I've heard it before. Especially on radio. The "I'm a I'm a gypsy gypsy" part is really messy. It's just average to me and I definitely don't want it as a single, especially not the 3rd single - I feel like fans are basically asking for Applause chart performance part II.
Applause - Not the best first single choice, but it would've been a waste not to release this, even if later on in the aura. The chorus is just too huge and the verses are good - it's not a huge song by any means, but it's a nice average-sized hit sound for her. I've always loved this song since August and think the verses are amazing. Wish there was a bridge though. One of the best choruses on the album.
Overall, the album is a hybrid sound of all 3 of her albums influence on each songs combined to form ARTPOP - her best album and the album with the most to offer to her large variety, and amount of fans. She'll definitely win some people back throughout the single releases.
If I chose singles, I would've chosen...
1st (September-December 2013) G.U.Y.
2nd (January-April 2014) Do What U Want (featuring R. Kelly)
3rd (May-August 2014) MANiCURE
4th (September-December 2014) Sexxx Dreams
5th (January-April 2015) Applause
But due to the circumstances of Applause first...
1st (August-October 2013) Applause
2nd (November 2013-February 2014) Do What U Want (featuring R. Kelly)
3rd (February-May 2014) G.U.Y.
4th (May-August 2014) MANiCURE
5th (September-December 2014) Sexxx Dreams
6th (January-April 2015) Jewels N' Drugs (featuring T.I., Too $hort & Twista)
