Relentless

[giskardsb 12,565]

"Relentless" is the one word I would probably use to describe PI.   And it's un-apologetic about it.  Energy in the song only ramps in one direction... up.

How this will fare on pop radio is a question, considering that the current pop landscape consists seemingly of everyone trying to out-chill each other.  PI has no chill, and it gives no ****s about it.

This song is pop, but it's anti-pop also.  This list of ways it goes against pop expectations is long.  Too raw, Not the right structure, not the right dynamics, unprocessed vocals, real instruments, mostly sparse production, lots of vocal belting, way too much energy.   However, it does have a big hook.  A big unrelenting hook/chorus repeated often that will embed in your brain.  And it wastes no time getting to the hook.  That is probably it's major pop structural element, along with the bridge which if the belting ad-libs were removed would sound at home in any of her previous albums.

PI is a grower, because eventually that hook will get to you whether you like it or not.  I personally would have preferred the rock element brought more forward with guitars.  I look forward to the live versions, which will undoubtedly rectify that.  I like PI more with each listen, it rewards careful listening for little production elements that don't show up at first.  I LOVE the synth sounds.  They are throwback analog-ish synth pads that sound nothing like the (IMO) cheesy sounds being used by Calvin Harris et al.  PI takes some getting used to as the continuously rising dynamics is not a usual structure, especially in the pop field.  That is more usual in harder rock forms.  To me it's a really good song, not quite a great one but it really makes me look forward to the album.  I invariably prefer album tracks anyway.  However, I would say that for me it's her second best lead single, sitting maybe just barely behind BR, they are nearly equal to me as good songs, albeit completely different.

If you played PI and Just Dance to someone who'd never heard Gaga, they would never guess it is the same artist.  

It's easy to understand why those enamored with her early sound and pure slick pop may not like PI.  It's also easy to understand why those that prefer more raw and pure music might like PI better than the early stuff.   This is going to always be a challenge for Gaga fans.  She doesn't sit still and changes at the speed of light.  You can keep riding the Gaga-coaster, or get off at the stop of your choice.   But if you are going to stay on the coaster and scream about how much you hate the coaster the entire way while vomiting on the rider in front of you, don't be surprised if you get some less than cordial responses.

PI - 4/5.   Looking forward to hear her further work with Ronson et al.

[DeanWinchester 41,390]

2 minutes ago, giskardsb said:

"Relentless" is the one word I would probably use to describe PI.   And it's un-apologetic about it.  Energy in the song only ramps in one direction... up.

How this will fare on pop radio is a question, considering that the current pop landscape consists seemingly of everyone trying to out-chill each other.  PI has no chill, and it gives no ****s about it.

This song is pop, but it's anti-pop also.  This list of ways it goes against pop expectations is long.  Too raw, Not the right structure, not the right dynamics, unprocessed vocals, real instruments, mostly sparse production, lots of vocal belting, way too much energy.   However, it does have a big hook.  A big unrelenting hook/chorus repeated often that will embed in your brain.  And it wastes no time getting to the hook.  That is probably it's major pop structural element, along with the bridge which if the belting ad-libs were removed would sound at home in any of her previous albums.

PI is a grower, because eventually that hook will get to you whether you like it or not.  I personally would have preferred the rock element brought more forward with guitars.  I look forward to the live versions, which will undoubtedly rectify that.  I like PI more with each listen, it rewards careful listening for little production elements that don't show up at first.  I LOVE the synth sounds.  They are throwback analog-ish synth pads that sound nothing like the (IMO) cheesy sounds being used by Calvin Harris et al.  PI takes some getting used to as the continuously rising dynamics is not a usual structure, especially in the pop field.  That is more usual in harder rock forms.  To me it's a really good song, not quite a great one but it really makes me look forward to the album.  I invariably prefer album tracks anyway.  However, I would say that for me it's her second best lead single, sitting maybe just barely behind BR, they are nearly equal to me as good songs, albeit completely different.

If you played PI and Just Dance to someone who'd never heard Gaga, they would never guess it is the same artist.  

It's easy to understand why those enamored with her early sound and pure slick pop may not like PI.  It's also easy to understand why those that prefer more raw and pure music might like PI better than the early stuff.   This is going to always be a challenge for Gaga fans.  She doesn't sit still and changes at the speed of light.  You can keep riding the Gaga-coaster, or get off at the stop of your choice.   But if you are going to stay on the coaster and scream about how much you hate the coaster the entire way while vomiting on the rider in front of you, don't be surprised if you get some less than cordial responses.

PI - 4/5.   Looking forward to hear her further work with Ronson et al.

[CakeLikeLG 6,275]

Make Me was a safe song that followed current trends and it still did not smash. I was hoping for a more chill sound ala Get Lucky/Uptown Funk and PI may be too dark and loud for radio, but you are right it is a grower. It is sad to see fans dissapointed in PI because Gaga clearly loves the song. I won't stop supporting her.

[PartySick 159,824]

18 minutes ago, giskardsb said:

It's easy to understand why those enamored with her early sound and pure slick pop may not like PI.  It's also easy to understand why those that prefer more raw and pure music might like PI better than the early stuff.   This is going to always be a challenge for Gaga fans.  She doesn't sit still and changes at the speed of light.  You can keep riding the Gaga-coaster, or get off at the stop of your choice.   But if you are going to stay on the coaster and scream about how much you hate the coaster the entire way while vomiting on the rider in front of you, don't be surprised if you get some less than cordial responses.

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