What kind of sound was expected from LG2/ LG3?

[FfFfFfFF 55,860]

The era of anticipation before an album release naturally includes a lot of speculation of album's direction, aesthetic, sound, theme, which is what we experience now.

From LG4 I know it was expected a ''Princess-themed, ''The Decay of Blonde Pop Star''-themed album and the three songs that came out in anticipation of ARTPOP were Princess Die, Cake Like Lady Gaga and Stache (which gave us a taste of EDM and Zedd's trademark sound). When iTunes festival happened a lot of the songs were previewed and it misleaded this forum into thinking the album had a more rock sound.

From LG5/ the potential Joanne it was anticipated at first a disco-inspired sound and dark themes inspired by AHS, something more into dance-pop direction than Joanne.

Now from LG6 we expect something definitely more pop and uptempo (DJWS) combined with techno (Boys Noize, Baseck), some experimental, avant-pop vibes (Sophie) and also orchestra touches. 

But how about TFM and BTW? What kind of direction was expected for these albums to take at that time? I am genuinely curious because unlike with Gaga's recent albums this discussion doesn't come out so often.

[Gagadonna 10,801]

If I’m not wrong, I think BTW early concept was to be less dark and more EDM 

There’s a demo of Born this Way (song) and it sounds completely different from the released version 

There’s also a leaked demo of “Rabies” which is rumoured to be a BTW outtake, and it’s very EDM 

For TFM, I really don’t know but given the amount of songs she had made at that time, she could have come up with different concepts for LG2 such as “the beast out of control” (out of control, animal, freakshow). It’s only speculation though 

[Mirages 20,259]

What a cool thread. Now I'm curios as well... Thank you for making it 

[Italian 573]

The Scheisse remix got us crazy, but I don't remember if we expected EDM sound

This was my expectation, I don't know if others would agree: We got TEOG/Hair before the album, so I was thinking that there would be more mature sound in the album (which was present in some songs, but not all)

[vinster13 3,574]

I wasn’t an active Gaga fan not was I oN ggd during these times but I’ve read a couple of members thought LG3 was speculated to be The Fame Kingdom

[Babel 41,460]

Most people expected an angelic version of TFM since the only thing we knew about BTW was how she sang the chorus at the VMAs and it was more ballad oriented than the final version 

[AlexanderMagno 10,746]

BTW expectations were between this
 

and this

 

(people we expecting a more ballad sound for the single Born This Way)

 

 

There were lots of elements that were unexpected. For example, the 80s inspired sound was not something people were expecting. The heavy bass, the fusion of genres, were also not that predictable. The Scheisse remix was exactly what people were expecting. Very dark, with those synths, still with Euro disco influences. 

[Battle 4 Ur Life 6,713]

I don't think anything was EXPECTED for LG2/TFM cause she was only getting started. and it was also a surprise release sorta, wasn't it? (I don't remember I was knee deep in indie rock and alternative music at the time. definitely not stanning Gaga at the time although I liked her from first listen)

for LG3/BTW which I was already sooooooooooo hyped for I was expecting EXACTLY what she delivered, which is avant-garde with a hint of retro dance music and something totally bold and unique. also different from the sound of the previous albums. that's why it's still her best imo.

 

[AVeryGagaHolyDick 25,434]

We expected a The Fame 2.0 for The Fame Monster. It kinda happened, but in a darker way. At the beginning, we expected Born This Way to be a The Fame 3.0, but being about her look instead of fame. Later, we knew it would be more mature, but we didn't really have a clue. We all knew the album would be called Born This Way before she announced it. We expected a lot of songs like No Way, Let Love Down, Second Time Around and a few songs like Fashion, Reloaded and of course Earthquake. When the single was released, we understood that it would be an Earthquake kind of sound with a lot of techno and a few EDM influences. 

[anomdepllume 393]

Awww this topic brings back some cool memories.

Nobody knew what in the world she was going to do next (especially the GP). Like, when the Born this Way music video dropped, people lost it. I think people were expecting her to show the more vulnerable 'angelic' side for sure, after hearing that aforementioned lil Born This Way chorus. I know some were like, oh it'll be a ballad-y kind of thing because she hadn't really shown off her piano prowess yet (and honestly, I don't think she really went that direction until Joanne). But also she was coming out of that really dark/psychosexual TFM era so people were just expecting her to run the complete opposite direction I think.

But it was cool, because nobody else was really doing that 80's Europop sound at the time, not like they are now anyway (we are oversaturated in 80's nostalgia right now if you ask me). She took these really modern producers (excluding perhaps Matt Lange on You and I) and paired them with heroes and icons and like Brian May and Clarence Clemmons. It was a really interesting fusion of time and place. 

Back when we didn't have a big back catalog, speculation and expectations were ALL over the place, and sometimes I miss that.