AURA
What an introduction to the album itself, Aura starts us off in typical Gaga fashion that leaves us scratching our heads at how she can mix different influences and make a track. From a robotic- voiced intro, to what sounds like a ukulele into a sitar (???) followed by a piercing “Hahahaha”. Mixed with heavy electronics provided by DJ White Shadow, the track takes on a pop/dance direction. Truly a contender for becoming a chart topper !
VENUS
An explosive one…(pun intended, you’ll see why). At first this track seems out of this world, but in fact it couldn’t be more close to home, say, the bedroom! With lyrics such as, “Let’s blast off a new dimension in your bedroom” Venus all of sudden sounds a hell of a lot like, well you know ! Nonetheless, still a great dance track. Oh my favorite line of the track, “Uh-ha, Uranus, don’t you know my ass is famous” INDEED, we all recall the Aphrodite Seashell Bikini !!! Catchy chorus. I dig it !
Alright so the bridge to the chorus totally reminds me of the intro to the 80’s song, Safety Dance by Men Without Hats. I’m guessing G.U.Y. is yet another meaning, and this one stands for Girl Under You. The lyrics to this song gives a different approach to the Kama Sutra, words instead of pictures…
Sexxx Dreams
Ok, so at this point into the album we already have a very strong sexual theme, although it didn’t really take 4 tracks to figure that out. That’s Lady Gaga’s style and she doesn’t care, nor should she ! More heavy on the electronics in the chorus of Sexxx Dreams. Great track and very sexual !
Jewels N’ Drugs
A different feel to the album, we head in the direction of hip-hop. A good direction at that ! We have collaborations with three very different and talented artists such as T.I., Too $hort, and the very fast rapper, Twista. Twista has a style unlike any other. A very fast and articulate rapper, he adds the rapid twist(a) on the track. Great bass and electronics for this song.
MANiCURE
This track puts you back on the dance floor with a strong down beat to a hip-hop feel that invites all the fellas to cure the ladies with their…(track 2)…VENUS !
Do What U Want ft. R. Kelly
Arguably the best track on the album Gaga and Kelly make a great pair on this track and the result is a strong beat to a pop feel. R. Kelly still has his smooth tone and if you’re on the dance floor, let Kelly’s voice be your wingman. After that, you’re on your own, so do what you want !!!
Artpop
This track gives a 90’s pop feel. Influenced by Madonna, one can feel her style being incorporated throughout the track. Highly respectable ! This song is a perfect example of music evolution and inspiration.
Swine
Dance-pop with crazy lyrics. Should I be offended or into it ?!?
Donatella
Vanity in the form of a pop song, from black credit cards, to being a bitch, Donatella is the track for bitches…her words, not mine !
Fashion!
Now it wouldn’t be a Lady Gaga album if we didn’t have a track dedicated to fashion ! “Looking good and feelin’ fine”, Gaga is back on the classical piano to give us a little melody that is carried throughout the tune and later maintained by electronics.
Mary-Jane Holland
I’m guessing with lyrics such as, “puff-puff” and a title like Mary-Jane Holland, we can pretty much read between the lines. Still, a catchy tune with a slower dance tempo.
Dope
A true, raw feeling at the piano ! The performance on this track exposes Gaga’s wide range of vocals that are very edgy and a raspy tone that can represent a tiredness of someone who truly needs somebody. Another one of the albums best tracks !
Gypsy
Another great track, especially in the lyrics. We sometimes go through life dedicated to a career or a lifestyle of that of a gypsy. It may be difficult to hold onto someone we may love due to distance, but does not mean they are not needed any less.
Applause
A fitting end to the album, an ovation, a round of applause ! This dance track calls to hit the dance floor harder than ever and do your thing. Great track that’s been hitting the radio waves for a couple of weeks now. No better way to end an album than with a-r-t-p-o-p !
In today’s technologically advanced world, with a click on our phone we can download an entire music library ! Buying a physical album has become somewhat a dying art. Yeah, the anticipation you get when you can't seem to tear that god-awful plastic, then getting through that ridiculous sticker on top of the album !!! But, the end result still proves worth it. The art work and lyrics in the booklet are a story of their own. Don’t take my word for it? Check out just a couple of the photographs in the booklet !
If you’re on a budget, which let’s face it, many of us are, then I recommend these tracks as they give you a feel for the entire album;
Aura
Do What U Want
Dope Jewels N’ Drugs
Applause
Better yet, skip a meal and buy the album !
-The Scientist