Discussion about the Incredible PRODUCTION of the Album?

[MRU 16]

The cohesive sound of the album is incredible! I can also appreciate how each song sounds so different, yet familiar at the same time. 

[Cage Ata 164]

1 hour ago, VenusOddity said:

literally her worst on joanne to me lol

Really? I love it too

[PI Floppedt 904]

Honestly speaking, I thought the album's production is quite patchy at some parts, though I'm not sure if they were intentionally done to enhance the soundscape of the tracks. The songwriting could have been worded more effectively, her vocals could've been more rounded, and the structure of the songs is a little awkward, if not abrupt, at parts. But that's what I really like about that this album  - it strove for a style that is reminiscent of that from the days of analogous music. True, the tracks are undeniably pop at heart, which makes it feel somehow familiar to Gaga's pop rivals, but at the same time, it sounds like it's in its own lane. I cannot think of one pop star at the moment who shares a sound almost congruent to Gaga with Joanne. Maybe only Beyonce with Don't Hurt Yourself and some of the songs on Warrior by Kesha...those are the closest ones I can think of.

I also feel like a lot of pop acts aren't daring enough to try the style that Gaga has with Joanne, because most of them these days are following the EDM Pop/Reggae Pop/Hip-Pop/R&B Pop route. Basically, they're going for the type of sound that sells. It's the kind that makes them go "this is a hit!" first when they hear it.  From what I've seen of Gaga lately, she really just wants to make music for the joy of it and also to share with her fans, who is most capable of listeners in understanding and accepting her artistic vision. 

I digress though. In conclusion, I will always stand by this album for what it is, no matter what people say about it. I'm just super proud of Gaga for going this route when she could have easily chosen the status quo and *shudders* gone to collab with The Chainsmokers. She continues to inspire. 

[Jenniferella 2,774]

I don't think the album production is remarkable at all... Hey Girl is the only song that has an interesting production imo, all the other songs have a VERY basic one and I can't help but roll my eyes when I see comments like "It's unlike any other music out there", dear god no, there are lot of artists out there with the exact same sound. I'm not saying the album is badly produced or bad at all, I'm just saying the production is meh for me and it's definitely not the highlight of the album.

My main regret being the fact that it's not modern at all. Ronson saying that they were avoiding a "retro" vibe is laughable cause when I listen to the album the main thought I have is "They were going for a retro, classic sound". I only wish they added a bit of modern sounds throughout the album, only to be reminded from time to time that this is a Gaga album.

[Neight Shayde 7,925]

Her best one so far, except for Sinner's Prayer i really can't accept that lousy beat during the chorus.

[hamster11 537]

Can anyone cite an article or interview that says the album production is all/mostly analog?

And how is it different from digitally produced albums of this age?

[AndrewGr 6,022]

1 hour ago, Alex C said:

3. There are experimental -for my taste- weird back sounds in many tracks that made me put my earphones out cause I thought someone was breaking into my apartment.

OMG I did exactly the same thing 

[Dexxx 1,393]

1 hour ago, Alex C said:

3. There are experimental -for my taste- weird back sounds in many tracks that made me put my earphones out cause I thought someone was breaking into my apartment.

I also experienced this while listening to Hey Girl and Angel Down. 

[Alex C 254]

Another thing that excites me as a music fan and baffles me in a good way is that:

Half of the fanbase thinks that after the 1st half of the album it goes south...

While the other half (me included), think that the latter half is the true music gem.

In my opinion, the first half is a more "pop"-esque expression of the Joanne journey, so that casual listeners can get into the record, especially with gems like Diamond Heart and John Wayne (and apparently DIC, but it reminds me of shakira circa 2000s).

After they get baited by the poppness of the first half, then come the masterpieces...

Sinner's prayer, Come to Mama, Hey Girl, Angel Down.

All these 4 songs need a relaxed ear and an open mind. The production in hey girl is incredibly complex, yet it seems minimal. That's the song that made me think someone broke into my house.

Sinner's prayer is a masterpiece. The bass line, the lyrics.... Oh my god.

And of course, the Magnus Opus of the whole record: Angel Down.

Angel Down is a song about a western society so concerned about PC culture wars and their Smartphones/laptops/internet that they have lost touch with the reality.

The reality that we are on war. The higher powers made us numb, and if not, fight between us instead of fighting the upper class. The song is about an artist (gaga) that hauntingly observes that, and states that she prefers to save an angel down. The ending of the song is Grammy worthy alone, let alone the rest of the album.

[malazam 15,710]

It could be her best produces album....

I love TFM production, BTW and ARTPOP are over produced...so....

I like simple but great productions!

[malazam 15,710]

29 minutes ago, Dexxx said:

I also experienced this while listening to Hey Girl and Angel Down. 

Lmao, there's a part in John WAYNE that sounds like someone is talking to you 

[display name 4,360]

We don't have it in lossless yet (as far as I know), so I don't wanna fully get into discussing this topic, but yas. The production is excellent as far as I can tell. I love how her vocals drive most of the tracks. She's not muted by an overly noisy instrumental, and still, when there are bits that are purely instrumental, they're so ****ing awesome. Mark Godson tbh  

[jojuun 4,159]

Just my overall thoughts on the album now after a few listens...

A lot of the songs all fall within the same "vein". That's not necessarily a bad thing, that's called a concept album. But when you do a concept album, instead of 4 radio-friendly hits and a bunch of filler album tracks (aka the classic pop album formula), production is always much closer inspected by the critics and the audience. So I think we can say Joanne is a concept album, as it does not have those obvious mega-singles and then some filler. It's analog, folk/country/rock/sing-a-long pop. But it is lacking in terms of varied well-thought out production in my opinion. Confessions On A Dancefloor is a perfect concept album in my opinion for instance. It's a totally different genre than Joanne, but I'm talking in terms of it's production. It "flows" but it has 12 distinctively different tracks put in the right order, mixed and mastered perfectly. Same for recent Knowles sisters albums Lemonade and A Seat At The Table. Both concept albums that flow really well. I feel like Joanne tries to achieve that but falls rather short.

And then there's songs that go back to Gaga's age-old problem (since BTW imo): good songs that try to be so much they end up just... Messy. Diamond Heart for instance, for me personally, it is one of those tracks that could've been mind-blowing but then just goes all over the place production wise. Lyrically it's one of the best songs she's ever written. But the production...  It starts off with this eerie, haunting vibe, then there's this massive build-up, then it goes into a mid-tempo, back to a haunting slower verse and then back up with a mega build-up that goes nowhere. It tries to be so many things, all in a 3:30 song, that it just ends up quite the mess.

It's just too much, yet not enough. It's the same problem a lot of critics had with some BTW tracks and the entirety of ARTPOP. However, the final mastering is a massive improvement coming from the messy rushed mixing and mastering of ARTPOP.

All in all, is this my favorite Gaga album? No. Does it have moments that I enjoy immensely? Absolutely. I just don't think this folky vibe is what a lot of fans have been waiting for. Most of us didn't expect a return to the full-force euro-pop from The Fame or The Fame Monster, which is the way the "negative side" of the fanbase seems to be perceived nowadays. I think most of us, including me, took the indicators pre-Joanne (IWYL Tom Ford cover, Mark Ronson as confirmed producer, Moroder and Rodgers as rumoured collaborators) and expected a much funkier overall sound. It wasn't at all what has been rumoured. I do think it's lyrically beautiful and I hope she got a lot of her negative feelings and energy out. But I personally, can't wait for a return of DanceGa. I don't want RedOne or Garibay, I'd like a fresh sound that is danceable. That doesn't mean she can't throw in some mid-tempo's or ballads, she did that before. It just all needs to flow well in the album order and production.

I pray for a Fresh DanceGa, DiscoGa or an R&BGa era soon.

(Yes, I'm still buying Joanne on Friday and will go the tour, I support her no matter what. FolkGa is just not my personal cup of )

[Dexxx 1,393]

52 minutes ago, Alex C said:

Another thing that excites me as a music fan and baffles me in a good way is that:

Half of the fanbase thinks that after the 1st half of the album it goes south...

While the other half (me included), think that the latter half is the true music gem.

In my opinion, the first half is a more "pop"-esque expression of the Joanne journey, so that casual listeners can get into the record, especially with gems like Diamond Heart and John Wayne (and apparently DIC, but it reminds me of shakira circa 2000s).

After they get baited by the poppness of the first half, then come the masterpieces...

Sinner's prayer, Come to Mama, Hey Girl, Angel Down.

All these 4 songs need a relaxed ear and an open mind. The production in hey girl is incredibly complex, yet it seems minimal. That's the song that made me think someone broke into my house.

Sinner's prayer is a masterpiece. The bass line, the lyrics.... Oh my god.

And of course, the Magnus Opus of the whole record: Angel Down.

Angel Down is a song about a western society so concerned about PC culture wars and their Smartphones/laptops/internet that they have lost touch with the reality.

The reality that we are on war. The higher powers made us numb, and if not, fight between us instead of fighting the upper class. The song is about an artist (gaga) that hauntingly observes that, and states that she prefers to save an angel down. The ending of the song is Grammy worthy alone, let alone the rest of the album.

My thoughts exactly. 

Pop is obviously noticeable on the first half of the album then it somewhat changes after PI.

Every song on the second half stand out on its own.