Two Years Later: In Defense of Lady Gaga’s ‘ARTPOP’ (Celebuzz article)

[Phoenix 17,395]

25 minutes ago, PartySick said:

"ARTPOP is an album bursting with ideas, some of them brilliant and some only half-formed. Within the confines of 15 songs, Gaga addresses topics as disparate as s-xual assault (“Swine”), the artistic process (“ARTPOP”), gender roles (“G.U.Y.”), class satire (“Donatella”), and addiction (“Dope”). No one idea is explored too thoroughly, but they are there: actual ideas, points-of-view. And ultimately, those ideas — that ambition — is what sets Gaga apart from her peers.  She may not always hit her mark, but you can always see her pushing herself: to try harder, to say something, to immortalize a message she feels passionate about. The same, I’m afraid, cannot be said of many of her competitors."

The most important thing to take away from this.

A-R-T-P-O-P

true!

[Hexxx 2,244]

It was what it was now it's time to move on.

[eifulien 2,955]

I am so relieved after reading this! I think it may as well be ne of the most objective reviews of the ARTPOP album, and era and everything that happened. And I'm glad that at least some people are giving it the credit that it deserves. Spread it!  It has the perfect balance between pointing out the problems of the album that many people use to bash it and showcasing its true strengths that actually matter much more than the mess that surrounded it at the time.

[Bradley 59,023]

If ARTPOP is a flop, these are even worse flops

Bangerz, Britney Jean, Rebel Heart, Confident, Revival

[Lucas 26,832]

Let's hope that other medias will open their eyes too

[djBuffoon 12,118]

40 minutes ago, Bambino said:

Why is everyone taking a pop album so seriously? Pop albums flop sometimes even tho the artists are big. It happens. It's normal. Let it go already. Gaga has moved on why haven't y'all?

Because even though the album is electronic-dance, there are elements to the music and the messages that impact people, and they want to discuss it. There's no problem with that. An under-performance in sales doesn't mean that the discussion should just end.

I'm 100% positive that Gaga would be thrilled to know that people are talking about her albums in a meaningful way.

[AlexanderLevi2 5,849]

46 minutes ago, Gohan said:

A-MEN.

This tea was needed back then in late 2013/2014, when everybody and even this site's members were dragging the album. Anyway, I couldn't care less about people's opinions about the album, because the only Flop here are their opinions.

The album remains flawless and unbothered... And you know, when you need to get the holy spirit invade your body, you play Aura to Applause to cleanse your soul for a 1 hour long detox session with PAWP COLTCHURE's most underrated album of all time

 

This

[AlexanderLevi2 5,849]

It's a "flop" but a--lyzed more than Bangerz, Prism, etc.

[XoXoJoanneGaga 629]

"Two years on and I can say this: ARTPOP is a good album, though perhaps not a great one. It has great songs, yes, but it also has a few clunkers. I still maintain that “Venus” is home to Gaga’s best chorus since “Bad Romance,” and that is was never released as a single is a testament to the gross mismanagement that plagued Gaga and her team during the era. “Do What U Want” is a proper modern banger, though one with an unfortunate choice of guest vocalist. (The Christina Aguilera remix remains unimpeachable.) “MANiCURE” is a joyful and empowering jock jam, crackling with an infectious energy. “Sexxx Dreams” earns its title. “Dope” is among her best ballads, right up there with “Speechless.” I could take or leave “Donatella” and “Fashion!” “Swine” is more notable for its bombastic, elastic production than for its melody or lyrics. I enjoy “Jewels N’ Drugs” for what it is, though I am still not convinced it belongs at the heart of a Gaga album. “Gypsy” is pretty and would have made a great single, but it’s a retread of “The Edge of Glory.” Album opener “Aura” has an amazing chorus that is undercut by abrasive verses."

"So no, it’s not a perfect album. It is no The Fame Monster. It’s not as cohesive as Born This Way. It may not be fully-realized, but it is ambitious. It is fun. It is, occasionally, both funny and s-xy. It is a good album that suffered under the weighty expectations placed upon its maker’s shoulders. It is better than most of us remember."

 

The accuracy in this article :applause: It's nice to see an article that's clearly written by a big fan and someone who's knowledgeable about her work and career, but who can also be objective about things. Reading their one-paragraph summary of what a disaster the era was puts it into even greater perspective just how wrong everything went when you take a step back and look at the whole thing, but it makes me even more excited for the next one.

[Bleachella 2,932]

"Two years on and I can say this: ARTPOP is a good album, though perhaps not a great one. It has great songs, yes, but it also has a few clunkers. I still maintain that “Venus” is home to Gaga’s best chorus since “Bad Romance,” and that is was never released as a single is a testament to the gross mismanagement that plagued Gaga and her team during the era. “Do What U Want” is a proper modern banger, though one with an unfortunate choice of guest vocalist. (The Christina Aguilera remix remains unimpeachable.) “MANiCURE” is a joyful and empowering jock jam, crackling with an infectious energy. “Sexxx Dreams” earns its title. “Dope” is among her best ballads, right up there with “Speechless.” I could take or leave “Donatella” and “Fashion!” “Swine” is more notable for its bombastic, elastic production than for its melody or lyrics. I enjoy “Jewels N’ Drugs” for what it is, though I am still not convinced it belongs at the heart of a Gaga album. “Gypsy” is pretty and would have made a great single, but it’s a retread of “The Edge of Glory.” Album opener “Aura” has an amazing chorus that is undercut by abrasive verses." 

 

Spot on :Applause:

Very good read. 

[PartySick 159,866]

3 hours ago, djBuffoon said:

Because even though the album is electronic-dance, there are elements to the music and the messages that impact people, and they want to discuss it. There's no problem with that. An under-performance in sales doesn't mean that the discussion should just end.

I'm 100% positive that Gaga would be thrilled to know that people are talking about her albums in a meaningful way.

This for real.

I've literally been sitting and listening to this same album, these same 15 tracks, for two years now and I'm still finding new meanings for myself in it. Even in songs like Sexxx Dreams and Jewels N' Drugs, I find a sense of empowerment and purpose. It's the first album to actually have me sit and think about the lyrics in a weird way, the sonic meaning behind it, and the woman who created it from a deranged but loving place. It takes you places not only in Gaga's life but in your own. I could write a book on every song, honestly.

ARTPOP isn't only anything, it's everything.

If some people are too bent out of shape and hung up on silly numbers and something that they perceive as a failure because it didn't reach this certificate or get that award then that's their loss.

[TEANUS 15,002]

I always knew ARTPOP would be more appreciated in the future. It really is a conglomerate of ideas, which I think is why people rejected it. Too many people (unrightfully so) want to hear music about topics they hear about everyday. Gaga goes beyond that and talks about s-xual assault, artistry, social classes, etc., just like this article says.

Honestly I thought this would be another "Did ARTPOP really flop?" article but it's really good