MaybeKermit 4,575 Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Hellooooo I would like to ask something I have been asking myself for a while now. I guess it's just something that I don't really understand when it comes to Gaga's music. This is in no way bashing her btw, just something I'm wondering: When Gaga talks about music I am always mesmerized. Her explanations and visions are always sooooooooooo well-spoken and whenever I hear her speak I'm just beyond excited and SHOOK. It always intrigues me and I am always expecting her to keep on pushing the enveloppe and to do something totally different + unique. Now, I now Gaga's music is 'Pop' at its finest, and she loves to experiment a lot as we all know (that's why we love her). But, why doesn't this really translate into the studio versions of her songs? Why are most of the songs on Gaga's album almost too basic/familiar/predictive STRUCTURE-wise? AGAIN: this is not a bashing tread so please don't give me that 'no negativity here", "ew leave this site", blabla. And yes, I know Bad Romance is unique - and all of her albums have always been inventive, but that is not what I am talking about ... I mean, there's nothing wrong of course that most of the song have 2 (max 3) verses, 2-3 choruses a bridge and an outro. But I just find it a shame / I would sooooo be here for a very complex Gaga song. Interesting structure-wise and just different to listen to. Something you really need to decipher and let it sink in + think about.Songs that don't always last 3-4 minutes, and on which she really experiments and does what she is always talking about in interviews. Is it clear what I am trying to say? I know the quality is there, and the quality of the songs and production etc always leave me SHOOK. But the songs itself, in a way are most of the times rushed and too straight-forward. I've always been into very alternative and experimental artists and music, and Pop music-wise Gaga is my fave, but she still has to really SHOOK me when it comes to the structure of a song. Examples of complex songs (genres may differ - and sorry because maybe it's not the best examples? I"m at work so I am not really focused haha): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM8vbAo0sb0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9SMglWHKfQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg3DxELVPj4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL9T42SVnN0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qaO-i5rD9Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSaFgAwnRSc I remember in an ARTPOP-interview she said that the songs on the album were not the usual radio-friendly length and they'd be longer than usual. And was always looking forward to it, but I guess she just meant MJH (5 minutes ?). Is it maybe because she is just not that kind of artist? Is it not really her style ? Or is it just because it is not POP-music's cup of tea to do those things ? Most of the complex songs I like are never pop ones anyways...? Is this maybe also the fact why none of her albums have ever really been PRAISED TO THE GODS by critics (Yeezus/Björk style?). Please share your thoughts and let's stay civilized Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FfFfFfFF 55,124 Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 She is still conventional at her core for now, but I think eventually she will experiment more and more and release songs that unconventional in structure, like you are saying. Also, let's remember how Shallow while conventional in sound is unconventional in structure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Hybrid 11,048 Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Because it’s unprofitable and she’s a pop star. Not to shade or anything, but that’s just what she’s been up until now and if she released a real experimental album 95% of this forum would burn their stan cards. No family’s safe when I sashay Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
letsgetdirrty 470 Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Oh god I’m not reading all of that Xtina | Gaga | Britney | Madonna | Beyoncé | Janet | Ciara | Ashanti | Brandy | Monica | Paula | Jessica Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARTPOP2 3,948 Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 experimental music doesn't really sell at the levels of pop music. Gaga is mainstream and she has to make music that sells and that would appeal to a larger demographic. I don't think we'll see her stepping out of the conventional format anytime soon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defmix100 6,239 Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 1 hour ago, Funkymonkey said: But I just find it a shame / I would sooooo be here for a very complex Gaga song. Interesting structure-wise and just different to listen to. Aura Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brucee 1,690 Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 if you listen to a generic mainstream radio station, you understand how she is experimental. She's traditionnel in some ways, but she's got her ideas about sounds and what she wants, so it's always a bit different from something very pop/mainstream sounding. She's a musician at heart and also a pop star but you can feel both in her work. hello hello baby. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryJaneHolland 77,348 Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Because she's a mainstream artist, simple as that? Plus, I think her voice is too strong for mellow instrumentals like this, but who knows... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaybeKermit 4,575 Posted October 13, 2019 Author Share Posted October 13, 2019 24 minutes ago, letsgetdirrty said: Oh god I’m not reading all of that then don't reply Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaybeKermit 4,575 Posted October 13, 2019 Author Share Posted October 13, 2019 15 minutes ago, mauvais said: She's a mainstream pop star who revels in being a mainstream pop star. She kind of killed the popstar paradigm, sure, but she's nevertheless a popstar in a post-popstar world. Additionally, she treats her label with a notable deference (in terms of producers, album sound, singles), unlike experimental artists. I recommend reading older interviews from TF/TFM eras, like New York Magazine's Growing up Gaga where the writer discusses the process of Becoming Gaga, if you're genuinely curious about why she's a normie at heart. yes I am aware of those older interviews etc. Just as I said in the OP: her interviews always intrigue me in a good way. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hELXIG 42,727 Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 And it can work very well too! Bury A Friend by Billy Eilish goes completely against regular song structure and that song was a massive hit! Timestamp of Finneas explaining it: Also they used a lot of unusual sounds, especially for pop music. I'll be myself until they fūcking close the coffin. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lextyr97 19,646 Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 I think the way Gaga works, and you kinda said it in your post, is that she experiments a LOT in the studio and once she has something she likes, she changes it to fit a pop structure which is the same verse chorus verse chorus bridge chorus. She breaks away sometimes but that’s usually how it goes since she’s a pop artist. I hope for LG6 she breaks away from it. She broke away from the normal structure on Joanne (Come to Mama, Perfect Illusion, Just Another Day) and I think Born This Way (The Queen, Electric Chapel) and I hope she does it again. Keep it free form, at least for a good chunk of songs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaybeKermit 4,575 Posted October 13, 2019 Author Share Posted October 13, 2019 11 minutes ago, ARTPOP2 said: experimental music doesn't really sell at the levels of pop music. Gaga is mainstream and she has to make music that sells and that would appeal to a larger demographic. I don't think we'll see her stepping out of the conventional format anytime soon. 6 minutes ago, brucee said: if you listen to a generic mainstream radio station, you understand how she is experimental. She's traditionnel in some ways, but she's got her ideas about sounds and what she wants, so it's always a bit different from something very pop/mainstream sounding. She's a musician at heart and also a pop star but you can feel both in her work. 6 minutes ago, MaryJaneHolland said: Because she's a mainstream artist, simple as that? Plus, I think her voice is too strong for mellow instrumentals like this, but who knows... also, this is what I thought indeed. Maybe it is because I really don't listen to any other mainstream pop stars (except for Madonna). If you compare her to the newer/other pop stars she is very experimental for sure Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
not a french fry 1,565 Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Listen to Aura social experiment gone wrong Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenDiamond 6,286 Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Miley did that and she almost destroyed her career and momentum, I think Gaga is too mainstream to actually try to go all in at experimental pop, maybe only album track or two Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Featured Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.