My "Joanne" Review for my classes :)

[BloodyJudas 2,758]

Hello guys

Just wanted to share this with you since this site is  one of the most frequently visited ones by me

During my last translation classes we were assigned to conduct the review of our favorite movie. After the classes had been dismissed , I went up to my teacher asking if she would be so kind as to afford me the possibility of presenting the write-up  of the album and to my surprise she agreed Hope I would turn her into a stan, she is in her mid 30's and I could not ask for a better teacher

I just finished tweaking my review and thought I would share it with you

P.S. I'm not a native speaker ,so turn a blind eye to my mistakes.

 

My "JOANNE" Album Review

You almost would have to be gaga not to have heard of Lady Gaga. Thanks to her outlandish outfits, sexually-charged songs and gory performances , a 30-year-old pop diva has turned the music industry upside down selling 30 million albums and 180 million singles worldwide respectively. And one irrefutable fact we have already learned about the singer’s outstanding career, spanning nearly a decade, is the transition she undergoes with every single pop release.

 

Who would have thought that a disco-stick girl ,who had embarked on her music journey unabashedly chanting the catchy chorus of “Just Dance”, would astound the mass audience with her blood-soaked rendition of the smash hit “Paparazzi”. Every shrewd move she makes, ranging from a religious controversy with the blasphemous “Alejandro” video to donning the infamous meat dress at VMA’s 2010, is a sheer spectacle.  The well-calculated antics , memorable hooks and a great amount of undeniable talent shot her to stardom in no time and helped her cement her polarizing image as the biggest star in the whole universe. Nevertheless, the lackluster reception of her previous endeavor “ARTPOP”, which in many ways failed to top the overall success of her first three studio records,  left the audience with a bad taste in mouth.  

 

A plethora of over-the-top ideas and, in some cases, a desperate attention-seeking demeanor appeared to have turned the once overenthusiastic general public against the songstress . One of the most depicted motives in her art is the idea of a Phoenix rising from the ashes. This time, the “Poker Face” vocalist lays all her cards on the table getting rid of her mysterious façade replaced by a more vulnerable side of hers. If you have ever wondered whether Gaga could not act gaga, her latest album might serve as a living proof. But is it any good?

 

The Mark Ronson produced fifth studio album “Joanne” named after her late aunt , who was simultaneously the main source of inspiration behind this music piece, was released on October 21, 2016 and peaked at number one position on Billboard 200. It sold 201,000 copies in the opening week in the United States and has just been announced the second highest female debut this year right after Beyoncé’s critically acclaimed “Lemonade”.

“Joanne” has also become her fourth consecutive number one album making her the only female artist in the States this decade to have attained such an impressive milestone.

It does not take an expert to notice that it is her most demure and toned-down work to date. An Oscar-nominee took the trouble to peel back the layers of her bizarre persona in order to demonstrate that, on this particular record ,she chooses to be just a father’s daughter.

 

The introductory track “Diamond Heart” kicks off with a thumping beat and the lines “Young wild American lookin’ to be something. Out of school go-going for a hundred or two”.

This makes-you-wanna-dance tune also gives us an insight into Gaga’s exposure to sexual abuse- “Some asshole broke me in. Wrecked all my innocence". Despite its profoundly personal statements and fairly relatable theme of being put through great hardships , the song could still work out as a club banger thanks to its catchiness and master production.

The next obvious highlight of the album is the country-pop “A-Yo” which can be likened to Taylor Swift’s ubiquitous 2013 hit “Shake It Off” owing to the striking similarity in the message as well as the melody. Her sultry voice in the verses and the bridge combined with the bold chorus playing along with sexual innuendoes and a smart play on words- “Get off on me , My body’s got you pleading , Light me up and breathe in, Mirrors on the ceiling”-is a jab aimed at haters who seethe with rage seeing the Italian-New Yorker basking in her accolades.  Once again, Gaga proves the haters wrong and defiantly demonstrates she can effortlessly dive into the ocean of country in the blink of an eye.

Another visible standout track “Dancing In Circles”, which feels a bit like a throwback to her “The Fame Monster” glorious days,  will easily get stuck in your head.  The enthusiasts of the Mother Monster’s old style should be genuinely pleased with this pop-masterpiece heavily influenced by Latino beats sprinkled with some reggae touches. This potential smash ,which could be heralded as the successor of her top five 2010 hit “Alejandro” , recounts the story of the indulgence in self-pleasure. The pop star has elaborated on the topic of masturbation on her previous songs: “So Happy I Could Die” as well as “Sexxx Dreams”. This time Gaga takes it up a notch and makes no bones about pleasing herself in the absence of the intimate partner. She yearningly  belts out -“I lay around , Touch myself to pass the time, I feel down, I wish you were mine”. This sexiest jam on the record depicts a woman locked up in the comfort of her home daydreaming about the elusive illusionary man  ,who in her lucid dreams, is making love to her-“I fool myself, Swirl around as if I’m someone else, Your hands are mine, I do a trick, Pretend that I am you until it clicks, I come alive”.  For all the naughty double entendres that the track showers us with, it sounds like the most evident single choice considering its impeccable production and a tantalizing beat.

 

Not only has the singer proved she can alternate between a wide range of music genres , but she can also get emotional and soulful. There are quite a few ballads on the record that  you would have never attributed to Gaga’s eccentric and many times raunchy discography.

The album’s title track “Joanne” composed in commemoration of her deceased aunt may bring the feeling of a country-infused lullaby. Gaga’s crooning voice on this stirring tune paired with the heart-rending lyrics “Take my hand, Stay Joanne, Heaven’s not ready for you” will undoubtedly break the heart of the most tough man or at least make him sympathize with her impassioned plea. It is well worth noting that Lady Gaga bears the second name “Joanne” in honor of her father’s sister who had died of an autoimmune disease-lupus at the age of 19 before Gaga was born into this world.

Some of her die-hard fans must have been taken aback by the announcement that a country-inspired ballad “Million Reason” would be sent to radios as the second single and they have every right to act mystified, since this is her most personal and stripped-down record single to date. This is the vulnerable  side of Mother Monster that we have not gotten to know before. The chorus line “I’ve got a hundred million reasons to walk away, But baby I just need one good one to stay” may be construed as a subtle allusion to her recent break-up with the actor Taylor Kinney after five years of the relationship. She also goes on to explore the theme of the unrequited love in another slow tempo song entitled “Sinner’s Prayer” whose foot-tapping beat is one of a kind . Dolly Parton, given half the chance, would definitely not rebuff the prospect of incorporating the song into her own discography . The lovelorn lover openly confesses her grave sins committed in relation to her former partner showing no sign of repentance- “Hear my sinner’s prayer, I am what I am,  And I don’t wanna break the heart of any other man but you”.

The lead single “Perfect Illusion” perfectly accentuates the husky hoarse voice the artist consciously puts on. This catchy hit may be described as a dancehall anthem about a troubled relationship. In the music video for the aforementioned track, Lady Gaga dances her pain away in her skimpy crop top and ragged cutoff shorts singing about modern ecstasy. At the same time, she provides us with various drug-love references- “High like amphetamine, Maybe you’re just a dream” , “Where are you? Cuz’ I can’t see you , But I feel you watching me, Dilated , Falling Free , In a modern ecstasy”. She repeatedly shouts the earworm chorus like a mantra that says “It wasn’t love, It wasn’t love, It was a perfect illusion, Mistaken for love…”

Known for her ardent advocacy of human and LGBT rights , the singer dedicated the swan song “Angel Down” to an African-American Trayvon Martin who was brutally murdered on account of his skin color in 2012. In this album-ending song Gaga cogently expresses her stance on the callousness of the today’s world.  She plaintively voices “I confess I am lost in the age of social, On our knees take a test, To be loving and grateful”. The hot-button issues of still prevalent racism, loophole-replete self-defense laws and gun controls are implicitly brought up in the pre-chorus: “Shots were fired on the street, By the church where we used to meet, Angel down, Angel down, Why the people just stand around?”

 

Despite its relatively short length , the album is not devoid of album-fillers.  The anxiously awaited collaboration with an English musician Florence Welch “Hey Girl” falls flat due to its bleak and drab production. It does not even effectively convey the intended message of the two girls comforting each other in the face of adversity. Another dull cheesy tune that this record could have done away with is “Come To Mama”, which instead of providing solace to listeners, can actually make them chuckle at the cringe-worthy lyrics: “Come to mama, Tell me who hurt you, There’s gonna be no future, If we don’t figure this out”.

Be that as may, every composition on “Joanne” sounds far better than the vast majority  of the top 40 hits unavoidably being played on the radio on a daily basis.

Also the “John Wayne” track may have instantly smashed ,had it been at least one minute longer. This song undeniably leaves us with the strong feeling of “The hit that got away”.

It lasts 2:54 minutes , which is considered extremely short balanced against the music industry standards. Perhaps the remix with a renowned rapper ,such as Drake or Nicki Minaj would do the trick and justice to this seemingly-unfinished song.

 

It goes without saying that Lady Gaga is the queen and master of reinvention and evolution which are part and parcel of her thriving artistic career. She just can’t seem to be able to sit still. She squirms, fidgets and transcends the boundaries that are continuously being imposed on pop stars.

Having realized that her artsy and try-way-too-hard attitude had deterred a considerable number of casual listeners along with mass-appeal, the singer-actress had no other choice left but do an about-face over her persona. Just when you think you saw through her conniving game and you are going to call her bluff, Gaga takes you by surprise once again holding all the cards.

 

Her just released fifth full-length studio album “Joanne” is undoubtedly her most personal work to this day. It revolves around relatable themes pertaining to a family, break-up and daily struggles. The radical change that a six time Grammy-winner has effectively put herself through music and fashion-wise is a coup to be commended. Surprisingly , there is no trace of shock value on this record taking Gaga’s peculiar standards into account . Simplicity makes “Joanne” a game changer in the music industry that seems to be brimming over with clichéd repetitive electro music whose inane lyrics leave a lot to be desired to, say the least.

With “Joanne”, the singer-songwriter proved all and sundry that she is the force to be reckoned with. Her husky raw voice flowing along the well-executed songs and little studio trickery could earn her some new audience and win back former fans.

Despite a few shortcomings and two mediocre album-fillers, “Joanne” surely ranks as one of the best crafted albums of 2016 worth your precious time and hard-earned money. With Gaga’s unwavering perfectionism and outstanding talent, it could not have been the other way, could it?

Seeing as how the “Poker Face” diva is playing her cards right, she has high likelihood of reclaiming her title as the contemporary queen of pop. Who knows? Maybe the world will “go gaga” for Gaga once more? Yes! But this time, we want MORE of LADY than Gaga.

[The Fame Joanne 5,985]

Not here for the "Hey Girl" shade 

It's good written but I'd cut out the part about its sales at the beginning bc that's normally not stated that detailed in album reviews. Just say it reached #1, that's enough

[guccic0och 1,474]

the Come To Mama shade tho  it is a good review though  very well written, especially since your not a native speaker of English.

[n0ne 13,105]

Come to Mama slays though , Hey Girl is cute, but I agree it is kind of a letdown.

Your review is well thought out and very thought provoking. I could see it recruiting some new little monsters lol.

I would change the comment about the Alejandro video though. I would say "ranging from a religious controversy with the arguably blasphemous “Alejandro” video". Because it wasn't Gaga's intent for the religious imagery in the video to come off as blasphemy nor as a criticism on catholicism/religion.  

[Squeeshy Keety 9,908]

Reading the first part with all that praise

Reads "album-fillers"

Witnesses as you drag Hey Girl and Come to Mama (my fave Gaga song)

 

Super well-written, though! Nothing about it suggests that English isn't your first language 

[BloodyJudas 2,758]

6 hours ago, I Give Up said:

Reading the first part with all that praise

Reads "album-fillers"

Witnesses as you drag Hey Girl and Come to Mama (my fave Gaga song)

 

Super well-written, though! Nothing about it suggests that English isn't your first language 

Thank U!!! You made my day