Is Gaga shocking anymore?

[Emvee 8,367]

It makes me cringe how the "shock factor" is what some people need to stay interested in an artist.

But not all of us are the same. Some people probably cringe at the idea of being able to enjoy multiple music genres and appreciate/assess raw talent. I guess you can call it an acquired taste. Not everyone gets to that point. 

[uo111 5,261]

Everything about the JW video shocked me. From it's release, to the content, to the not releasing it as a single

She isn't consistently trying to produce shock content anymore, which makes it even better when she does.

 

[Jorge Gonzalez Varela 368]

Really no, she is so boring and basic now.

[TheJackMonster 1,857]

I think she wanted to be 'normal' and won't return to being avant-garde unless for fan service.

[RocketNumber 9 98]

5 hours ago, StrawberryBlond said:

The JW video was shocking. It reminded me of the videos Gaga used to make, with the heavy sexuality, dark undertones and disturbing implications. I think she hasn't done a video this shocking since Judas or Alejandro.

But that aside, Gaga has dropped the shock factor for multiple reasons:

1. Being shocking was becoming very old among the public, not just for Gaga, but in general. Being 'real' and singing genuine songs with minimalism became popular and anyone who wasn't doing that style was viewed as try-hard and considered to be untalented, hiding their lack of talent behind shock. The phrase: "Do you know what Gaga could do to be shocking? Dress in jeans and a t-shirt and sing a ballad" became common and she must have heard it. She knew the world had moved on from this style and she had to evolve in order to survive. It's the same with any artist who shocks. Madonna went through a big demure makeover after Erotica nearly ended her career and she stayed in it for many years. ToddInTheShadows once said in regards to the situation: "The public was suffering from shock fatigue. Eventually, the world runs out of monocles to pop." I think Miley's shocking performance at her VMAS hosting gig in 2015 which went wholly unreported and everyone forgot about is proof that the world gets sick of shock value very quickly and it's a trick you can only do a few times before people stop caring.

2. Being in love with Taylor changed her. She started wanting to dress more like a lady and be more ordinarily attractive. That happens to a lot of pop girls when they fall in love, even the wild ones like Madonna and Xtina. This is usually when they tone down their shocking nature because love cancels out the need to be angry and rebellious.

3. The OTT style was getting very exhausting for her. It stands to reason that she could only come up with concepts for so many outfits before her creativity would run out and she likely thought it was far more important to focus on the music instead of the visuals.

4. She genuinely wanted to make a stripped-back album where it was just her and instruments and she'd just gone through a heartbreak, so it stood to reason that Joanne was going to be more vulnerable, more real, both of which were more relevant to her than trying to shock.

5. Being shocking was something Gaga needed to get out her system. People grow up and change and their priorities change. There's a reason why so many people are rebellious in their teens but suddenly calm right down by their mid-20's. A lot of people just have that 'wild' gene present in them from a young age and they need to get it out. Once it's out, they appear to become 'boring.' But they've merely become an adult, that's all. No one stays the same person their entire life. When you're young, especially, you can change rapidly as a person every couple of years.

Perfect.

[LaLuna 12,732]

No, but that's because she doesn't need it anymore. The shock factor was useful at the beginning of her career because she was trying to make a name for herself. But now she's at a stage where she wants to showcase her talent and artistry rather than shock people. 

[Wet Fire 7,447]

The world has seen much of her shocking side. I guess Gaga just realized it? And whatever she does, she can hardly be shocking anymore. And honestly I'm very happy with it. I love how she is now.