My Born This Way Review: 4 years and thousands of listens after

[Miracle 14,068]

BORN THIS WAY: CULT ALBUM

10 / 10

Whether Lady Gaga is the icon of our generation or not, I don't know. But she actually delivered a generational chant in 2011, with her motorcycle-unicorn mania album “Born This Way”. An album for everyone, for lush, for sins and for passion. The atmosphere of it is an -in your face- hit in a battle against reality. It's not that she completely forgot to add shades of social justice or real messages in the album – she did – but presented them in the way of liberation and ideas revolution rather than in a sole, serious act of representing politics. Gaga is not a politician, but who needs speeches when we have arena-rock-dance-hairspray-s-xual anthems to dance and empower at the same time? 9,5

 

“Born This Way” opens with the magnum opus of rebellious spirits, Marry The Night. Dancing off in New York Streets between bells and stardom dreams is the biggest wish of almost every average want-to-be-an-actor-or-a-singer person. And what's better than a Whitney Houston meets Bruce Springsteen track to express the feeling of nostalgia and rebelry that implies moving, fighting for your dreams and becoming New York City's biggest star? I guess any of the NY anthems (and this includes Welcome To New York and Empire State Of Mind) can't reflect New York as perfectly as Marry The Night does, whose screams, funk outro and “El Camino” references elude to the city of possibilites. 9,5

 

The second track , the better-known anthem Born This Way, is, as of today's music rules, basically “Express Yourself”. But, who cares? I mean, isn't two liberation anthems better than one? As Picasso said, the true artist is the one that copies rather than to receive inspiration from other works of art. And that's what Lady Gaga did. She re-did the late 80s, gay-dances, vogueing and “Young Americans” by David Bowie and made it a non-stop gay party full of skulls, rainbows and shimmer. It's impossible to remain silent or unmoved when Born This Way kicks off on the radio, as well as to go to a “Gay Pride” without listening to the biggest LGBT track of our generation. Metaphors aren't needed, we just want to dance and scream. 9

 

Things start to get weird with Government Hooker and here is where we realise this album is for everyone and for everything. An opera prelude leads to dark house beats and playful non-sense lyrics about hookers, John F Kennedy and the Government. I don't care if it doesn't develop a proper message, do you know why? Because it completely leans on everything, s-x, politics, love and mixes it with Japanese and Spanish words. Too many languages and themes for a song? No. Born This Way can cope with the whole Planet Earth. Maybe that's why she decided to write about other Solar System planets on ARTPOP. 9.

 

And as an album that talks about almost everything, religion isn't left behind. Judas, or better said, Bad Romance on stereoids uses religious imagery as blasphemy – and it's better than fart jokes, Katy Perry – as a “**** YOU” to those who harshly criticised her Alejandro video. You don't want this? Take three more spoons of it. Lady Gaga is unavodaible, as everything she does seems to get people angry. The chorus is one of Lady Gaga's catchiest and constrasts with the raspy, raw, Barbados natural vocals of the verses. As satan's sucesor, Lady Gaga needs to fool the angels with sweetness in order to stab them with the unhereable, possesion's breakdown. 9,5

 

“Americano” remains to be the most bizarre track of the album, and there is a lot to choose from. Is it another song dedicated to gay marriage (wedding references), an immigration issue speech or an revisited version of “La Macarena” meets Meat Loaf? I'm not sure but I quite like it because Americano is, probably, the biggest d--g-empowering song of all time, despite the lyrics. It's obvious that you cannot write a masterpiece like this if you're not high on c-----e. 8,9

 

“Hairspray” references aren't over yet and Born This Way is not the only reminder of Gaga's passion for glitter and grease on the album. As if she was a fairy dancing on a piano or Snow White and the seven dawls, Gaga sings, full voice mode on, another anthem of liberty. This time, it includes even more teenage references (I want a lot of friends that invite me to the parties) and adds the mention of various hair styles (racoon, cut-hair, red highlights). Gaga can be who she wants to be, she has thousands of hair wigs. Her spirit is made of many different “auras” and wants to empower them all, you can be whoever if you want, **** everyone who tries to shut you down and don't forget to make your world explode. Although the song is a really SCREAM AND LIVE your life anthem, it shows certain parts of Lady Gaga's most vulnerable side, especially on those lines whose tempo seems to be more ragey (My friends to think I'm dinamyte) or the spiritual build-up. She wants to be free, she wants be her own-self but it's insecure too, she doesn't want to feel like she is rejected. In a fact, she's a rebel who wants her rebelry to be rejoiced by everyone. 10

 

We have already listened to lyrics in Italian, Spanish, Japanese and English What's next? A made up language? The answer is yes. Gibberish is the new black and Mother Monster wants her little babies to learn non understandable lines of fake German meets Russian. Scheisse, is, in fact, the perfect ode to the Donna Haraway “Cyborg Manifesto”. Everything is new, we're like new computers, new generation robots. The gender roles lines are getting blurrier and blurrier and the concept of woman is evolutioning, just as languages. But this evolution is not only a change but a great metamorphosis. The chorus manages to show the glory of evolving and changing the perception of feminity. “I-I-I-I don't speak German, but I can if you like”. The world speaks a new language but Gaga can still cross the evolution line without losing her improvement and go down to Earth to fight the past' roles and prejudges. 10

 

Gaga hasn't discussed metaphysics yet, but Bloody Mary seems to be her first step on this field. Non-humanity is the word I'd use to define the choral terrifying vibe to Bloody Mary. Despite some 70s electric funk over there, Bloody Mary is a lost gregorian chant Jesus Christ gave to  her secret -apostle – Mary Magdalene, who decided to show it through Lady Gaga's voice, the new Messiah of Pop Culture. Jesus already knew back then that Gaga was going to be the main force of the world, that's why she screams self-references between the bars. 10

 

The spiritual world inside of Lady Gaga is no joke, at all. Every part of her life can be related to Jesus Christ, churchs, blasphemy or chapels. Black Jesus Amen Fashion is a Jesus Superstar flashmob inside a Balenciaga runaway show. Crosses aren't burning this time (“Judas”) but sparkling and showing the gleam of the 80s-I-Wanna-Be-A-Star pumping desire. Despite all the imagery of the song, Black Jesus is, in fact, Lady Gaga's 4 minute biography with a background that sounds like a “True Blue” redo. 8,7

 

Bad Kids is a little playful and crosses the land of Heavy Metal meets ABBA. Like in Judas, the chorus seems to be way more sweet than the verses, but she's no Satan this time, she's just a rebel kid who hates everyone. She doesn't understand her world that's why she's changeable. She kinda seems to want fit in but wants to transgress at the same time. Bittersweetness is, the beginning point of transgession. Give them a spoon of sugar, they'll like it. Give them a spoon of vinegar, they'll probably hate it. Give them a mix of both and they'll be disgustingly confused. 9

 

Sweetness seems to reach its highest level on “Fashion Of His Love”. Another track with fashion on his title. It's interesting how she pukes everything that's on her mind or on the Gaga-articles on tabloids and make it a great track. Fashion Of His Love is Whitney Houston, is claps and hit hats but it's sorrow and nostalgia too. If you don't think so, just look at the “Earthquake” demo pre-chorus and the multiple Mcqueen references. “I'm not like that”, Gaga won't cheat on her principles -even if they are blurry and unconsistent- but most importantly, she'll never cheat on Mcqueen's fashion. 9

 

Finally, the song of the road. Highway Unicorn (Road To Love). The title says it all. You don't expect a song with that title to be mainstream and common, and it isn't. It's as loud as hammer hitting your ears and the distortion is a big as the screen of a broken-antenna 90s TV. Lyrics are messy, and, as most of Born This Way, non-sense without a proper PhD a--lysing research. Anyway, everything works out properly. There's no fear of experimenting on Lady Gaga and it doesn't matter if the melody doesn't fit the lyrics or if the bass is too loud. All that matters is if the lyrics are screamable as liberty anthems or not. 8

 

Heavy Metal Lover is  on the edge of hedonism and pretensions. The post chorus, one of Gaga's best “I could be your girl” seems to be a journey to paradise while the robotic voices and s-x lyrics remind me to a sweaty – dirty – stinky orgy full of old metalheads masturbating to Lady Gaga's dance. Lady Gaga experiences with s-x, has been, as of my actual knowledge, blatantly complicated and traumatic. But as we said before, she's fearless and her s-x experiences haven't stopped her from asking for a full of lust “blonde south” cunnilingus. 10

 

Anyway, you can see her s-xual experiences have, in one way or another, changed her confidence towards s-x. She's desperate for it and looks for someone to give her that. Her mind is dirty and her body has really big needs but she needs monogamy too, simplicity and protection. That doesn't mean her passions and desires cannot be fulfilled (“make pure love work in a dirty way”). This seems to be influenced by Heavy Metal and 90's pop-rock and the instrumental includes bells too, as Marry The Night. What's a chapel but a protection place where bells and gospel sound? It's just that Gaga prefers to play guitars rather than Gospel. 9,5

 

Self-ego and narcissism are other two adjectives the album can be defined with. But it's not something really stable, it kind of changes. Although it's her DESIRE to be THE QUEEN for someone. It's obvious that her need of being loved is really huge and doesn't want to end up alone. She'd rather burn all her riches on the bonfire than to be alone (better explained on “I Wanna Be With You, the iTunes Festival Version of Dope). After self-proclamatory lines and video game beats, the orgasm, the highlight of the album arrives in a burning full of flames glory phoenix. She's going to become a Goddess, the queen of the earth because she feels like it. 8 until the outro, 10 after it

 

Lady Gaga's common catalog and sound aside, You And I is the only pure traditional love song. She doesn't send love towards her fans or the world or certain life visions but to his lover back in 2010-2011, Luc Carl. A QUEEN sample and Elton John piano influences lead to really playful, everyday-moments lines that completely reflect the moments of a couple with its ups and downs. But she's completely devoted to him because she feels good when she's with him. And it doesn't rely on dependency this time, it's just that the girl's in love. 9,3/10

 

Gaga left the best part of the album for the end. And when I say the best is because I honestly think so. How can The Edge Of Glory be so perfect without even trying? Lyrics are not something out of this world or long sung poets but sincere lines of euphoria and nostalgia together. My grandfather has died, let's make an arena rock anthem with a saxo solo with lines such as “Put on your shade”. Gaga rejoices life, but she rejoices being on The Edge Of Glory too, she rejoices memories and celebrates the past. It's not that her mind is stuck on the past is just that there's a need to remember it and light the flames of love. 1000/10

[Bitter 3,640]

Queen of making fans reviewing born this way album 4 years and thousands of listens after. 

[Pop 4,541]

Album of the Monster Generation.

Also, my favorite album ever recorded. 

[AnglerfishbraBENUS 5,734]

You and I had. QUEEN sample from we will rock u. Not a rolling stones sample

[barcodemonster 3,525]

I love the album!!

except for Americano and HURTL

 

[gagzus 15,829]

The only songs on the album i can do without are Judas & HML tbh.

Scheiße still remains the best track and has aged well for me, with HML being the worst for me

[Thomas P 18,479]

My all time fav album ever!!!

[Pop 4,541]

The only songs on the album i can do without are Judas & HML tbh.

Scheiße still remains the best track and has aged well for me, with HML being the worst for me

[monsterdreams 1,529]

Her best forever 

my fave of all time 

[azul 2,099]

Born This Way is my life tbh. 

[Miracle 14,068]

You and I had. QUEEN sample from we will rock u. Not a rolling stones sample

Okay it was only a mistake I know it's from We Will Rock You by Rolling Stone, everyone makes mistakes, everyone has those days take it easyyy

 

[AnglerfishbraBENUS 5,734]

Okay it was only a mistake I know it's from We Will Rock You by Rolling Stone, everyone makes mistakes, everyone has those days take it easyyy

 

<3