Technically this first surfaced in 2012, but it became a single in Jan/Feb 2013, so it counts! And I didn't finish my Best of 2012. Do you want a spoiler? This was my #1 in Best of 2012. (#2 was shared- Euphoria by Loreen, Euphoria by Usher)
I mean, yeah. Looking at it just as the package, it's generic dance-pop. But more than that, it's generic dance-pop done so much better than anyone else could. Booming vocals, huge production, totally instant and would smash any club that knew about it. Unfortunately, no one knew about it and it didn't even bother the Top 100. Imagine if this was the Lotus lead single?
You probably will by the end of this Top 10. I'm not afraid to say it- ARTPOP knocked ten bells of **** out of every other pop album that tried it this year. Unfortunately, what I want from an album and what the GP wants from an album are drastically different.
The strength of the middle-8 alone elevates it to my Top 10.
Probably the singularly best 'moment' that exists on the entire record.
It's much better than how Cassie did it though. Le Youth are probably my favourite find of the entire year. They combine 90s house with early to mid-2000s RnB and mix it into modern-day dance. It's so god damn smart but at the same time, really catchy and instant.
Not long until they start working with major pop girls. I'm almost certain of it.
Regardless of the endless slew of apparent 'meltdowns', 'career-ending events', 'media backlash' or 'lack of label support'- Gaga still knows song-writing and how to hook that into a brilliant pop song. This is the proof.
Once you separate Gaga the media entity from Gaga the musician, you start reaping decent results.
The last time I cared even the slightest for an Arctic Monkeys single was
a single called Brianstorm- and that was in ****ing 2007.
I'd grown tired of their approach. Samey indie-pop single after samey indie-pop single. They were fading into middle-aged demographic rock bores. Then they came back with this.
It's rare a band will change up their sound so well so far into their career. Usually, it's ended up badly (Linkin Park- great example). They've commanded our attention doing exactly what they did right at the start- being cool and being different. Wish them all the best.
Fun fact: this premiéred on radio whilst I was on the toilet. And I was blown away when I first heard this. Best poo ever. I know 95% of ATRL was blown away as well, no matter how much their e-credibility will try and repudiate that. I spent that entire night with this on in my room....full volume. Neighbours complaining.
It's everything I always demanded from a Gaga single in the past- and her current situation doesn't change that for me an inch. It's a huge chorus, a huge build-up, a stylistic video and it's got the instant catchiness that has you humming in the months and years afterwards. Only let-up is the lyrics, as everyone says. But nevertheless, a 10/10 return for Gaga. It's a shame that Basic always gotta win over Brilliant.