Written By: Pia Fergus
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
With this album, Gaga has proved that she is constantly evolving for the better, and that you should never really get comfortable with the "Gaga" that you are used to at the moment . This pop singer is nothing but extraordinary, and "Born This Way" is nothing but a masterpiece. Walking away from her melodic pop sound to embark on a reminiscent journey of European techno, old school heavy metal, opera and some jazz, it makes for one hell of a standout album of 2011. Can anyone say "Album of the year"?
The album opens up with a song that is dedicated to the city that raised young Gaga, New York City, called "Marry The Night". She speaks of NYC so passionately, with lines such as "Nothings too cool to take me from you, New York is not just a tan that you'll never lose". This song is the equivalent of Jay Z's "Empire State Of Mind", once again putting this glorious city on the map, with lyrics that make you want to throw on some leather and studs, and roam around in the city of blinding lights.
The album's first single, "Born This Way", is the second track on the album. This song is like a confession for the socially insecure, a self-exploration and acceptance speech, and a middle finger to conformity all in one. She preaches to her Monsters that you should embrace every single aspect of yourself, perfect or non-perfect, and that "God makes NO mistakes". Well Gaga, when it comes to this album you didn't make any mistakes either! Inspiration and encouragement just bleed through the opening line "It doesn't matter if you love him, or capital H-I-M" and in mid-song chant "Don't be a drag, just be a queen, whether you're broke or evergreen. You're Black, White, Beige, Chola descent, you're Lebanese, you're Orient. Whether life's disabilities left you outcast, bullied or teased, rejoice and love yourself today, 'cause baby, you were born this way".
"Judas", oh Judas. Betrayal never sounded so good. The most controversial track on the album has the wittiest lyrics and sly biblical references that songwriters wish they could use but never had the balls to. Gaga must have known that she was going to get attacked by the religious population for this song, but it seems that not only did she not care, but she made sure her point was made in interviews that she has done. In addition to listening to the poppy lyrics and the catchy hook of the song, you MUST watch some interviews to actually understand the meaning before you accuse her of blasphemy. According to Gaga, it is about acknowledging your dark past in order to go forward, for example, accepting that you broke up with your ex-douche bag boyfriend and knowing that you still love him but still trying to move on. "Jesus is my virtue, but Judas is the demon I cling to".
"The Edge Of Glory" the third single off of the album, and it is a mix of old-school pop and electronic/techno sounds with an inspiring message behind the lyrics. Written for her Grandfather after he passed, this track is about enjoying life and living it up to the fullest before you "kiss the other side". This track for sure will become a hit, it is extremely jolly and her vocals are really impressive and beautiful. (P.S., the song also contains a jazz solo by saxophonist Clarence Clemons of the "E Street Band" that is to DIE for, yes, pun intended).
A few tracks that stood out in the album are "Bad Kids", "Heavy Metal Lover", "Government Hooker", and "Hair". These four songs pretty much gave us a basic idea of how the album was constructed. They are old-school inspired, full of catchy lyrics, and above all they make you laugh or make you think. For example, "Government Hooker" is a major dance track, one of those tracks that are kind-of humorous and naughty at the same time. She opens the song with an opera voice and deep eerie sounds that emerge into big bass and synthesizers. This is a burlesque type of song, something a high-end stripper would blast in her dressing room before going out on stage. The song could and probably does have a much deeper, metaphorical meaning (and knowing Gaga, it probably does), but to the regular ears it's a dance track that increases your pulse rate and makes you feel all types of downright sinful.
"Born This Way" has the ability to catch the attention of potential new Gaga fans, and also make her "Little Monsters" go crazy. As her third studio album, it not only shows progression but it shows that Gaga as a person is not predictable and you never really know what can spark her creativity or what can inspire her musically. But, what we do know is that every time she releases new music, she'll give us a something unique and fresh, and that is a quality that has gotten Gaga very far in this industry.
Tracklisting (Standard Edition):
"Marry The Night"
"Born This Way"
"Government Hooker"
"Judas"
"Americano"
"Hair"
"ScheiBe"
"Bloody Mary"
"Bad Kids"
"Highway Unicorn (Road To Love)"
"Heavy Metal Lover"
"Electric Chapel"
"You And I"
"The Edge Of Glory"
"Just put your paws up, 'cause you were BORN THIS WAY, baby"-Lady Gaga
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