Lady Gaga’s new album "The Fame" is THE most exciting electro pop album to be released this year. Absolutely no question about that. From the moment I ripped open the highly secure advance copy of the CD, I was mesmerized. Don’t ask me for a copy of the CD either – I’m under strict orders from the label not to distribute it…so unfortunately you’ll have to wait until it comes out or gets leaked by some other naughty blogger. But what I can tell you is that you won’t be disappointed. Whatsoever. This album is what Gwen Stefani and Madonna should be doing and I’m sure I’m not the only person to think this…this isn’t sticky "sweet escapeness" people. This is some serious electro pop.
Opening with her smash "Just Dance" you’re in familiar territory. No matter how many times I hear this song, it still sounds "shiny and new" and I think it will be continue to sound piping hot for another five years or so. Lady Gaga truly is ahead of her time. "Love Game" is one of the hottest electro tracks I’ve heard in awhile. Huge single potential here. I absolutely love the lyrics too…here’s a sample…
"Let’s have some fun, this beat is sick. I wanna take a ride on your disco stick…"
Flawless. Tre naughty the Gaga gets on this one – whatever could she be talking about I wonder? In "Paparazzi" we hear the Gaga obsessing over someone to the point of idolization. The track explores how love’s obsession can sometimes be compared to fame and how we can envision people as famous in our own little worlds. When I interviewed Lady Gaga, she said that the concept of the record as a whole was "the idea that you can encompass fame from within and feel famous and convince every one else that you are too by valuing everything you do in life." and "Papparazzi is definitley representative of what Lady Gaga is trying to convey to all of us here. Let’s examine the chorus shall we?
"I’m your biggest fan, I’ll follow you until you love me. Papa, Paparazzi"
"Baby you’ll be famous, chase you down until you love me. Papa, Paparazzi".
Very clever – probably my favourite song on the album. "Beautiful, Dirty, Rich" is a loose dancetastic piano-y bouncy track. "Bang Bang Bang" hollas the Gaga. "Eh Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)" sees Lady G exploring her softer pop side. You can totally see this track being a commercial pop single as well with it’s beautiful synthy sparkly bits. It’s what Paris Hilton would have hoped for when she released her "Stars Are Blind" single. It’s like Madonna’s "Cherish" for 2009. "Poker Face" sees a return to her trademark sound of "Just Dance" with it’s sonic throbbing and chants. In title track "The Fame" we are reminded ever so slightly of Madonna’s "Material Girl" against a head-bopping electro guitar sound while "Money Honey" explores the idea that her lover’s lovin is worth more than good old hardcore cashola, call it Gaga’s "M.O.N.E.Y shot" if you will.
"When you touch me it’s so delicious…that’s money honey!"
In "Again Again" we see Lady Gaga conjuring up some of the "Back To Basics" sound that Christina Aguilera explored on her last concept album, but in a way that totally works and is retro-tastic but totally now. You really get a feel for Gaga’s vocal range on this track and you can just see her in a blood red dress with a big ol microphone belting out this timeless tune. In "Boys Boys Boys" we are treated to some 80’s dirty syth which girates straight outta Lady G’s lady love zone. It’s naughty naughty naughty and I like it, like it, love it! It’s kinda a gay man’s anthem. With clever word play like "Let’s go see The Killers and make out in the bleachers…" you can really tell that she’s sorta living out her schoolgirl days in this song.
In "Brown Eyes" the Gaga channels an Avril Lavingne type ballad, and surpisingly it isn’t annoying. It’s the most down-tempo track on the album. Beautifully simple and a great pop track. In the closing track, "Summer Boy" you’ll be left feeling that this whole experience of listening to Lagy Gaga’s debut album was really worth it. You’ll understand that she’s a pop force to reckon with. She writes very very good pop songs, has her finger on the pulse of quality music and preaches that electro pop is not dead.
All hail the next pop superstar.
Her name is Lady Gaga and she has a special message for you…press play.
Enough said. Lady Gaga’s debut album "The Fame" is out this fall.
Coming up tomorrow, my exclusive interview with Juvelen! Don’t Mess!