On the Zane Lowe Interview, the Album, and the Era: A Love Letter of Sorts

[Mulholland 1,052]

Hello! Long time member, mostly a lurker, and really not very much of a thread starter, but...

... have had some thoughts rolling around in my head and felt the urge to write them out. And instead of opening a LiveJournal account like it's 2004, thought I would post here, should anyone be bored enough to read.

So I think the Chromatica era has been quite interesting so far, for reasons both great and not-so-great. Obviously the leaks and the delay and the confusion and the canceled rollout plans have been a disappointment, though that is neither Gaga's nor her team's fault whatsoever. But honestly, I have to say I feel nothing but excitement, like something special is about to happen. I feel this with every Gaga release, sure, as well as anytime someone I love releases a new project, but this seems different. More intense. More focused. But maybe it's just quarantine brain... Anyway!

Zane Lowe Interview

I'm mostly writing this to sort out some thoughts about the interview that was released today. I found it fascinating, and ultimately very moving. I think it might be my favorite interview of hers ever. She touched on so, so, so much, but I think some things are worth highlighting/are particularly interesting.

- For one thing, again, I think this is one of her best interviews ever, arguably her best. She seemed laser focused on her messages. She had a great and often surprising answer for everything. Several times throughout the interview, I caught flashes of the very same 2008-2009 Gaga that made me a fan, just older, wiser, and more mature. It's been a long time since I've seen that exact spark. Every era's character has been great in its way, but this feels like GAGA. I almost feel like I learned more about her during that hour than I have over the last 12 years combined.

- I loved her explanation of her decision to push the album back, even if just by (not quite) two months. She wanted to do something specific before getting abstract. I get that. It makes beautiful sense, and is still just so perfectly on-brand for her. And I am still so proud of what she did in such a short time in terms of raising that money and putting that special together. 

- The specificity with which she talked about her mental health struggles was particularly moving to me. The shame spirals. The sort of mindfulness of tracing a feeling down to its root. Not always understanding why you act or feel a certain way. How you cope with emotions. Pulling herself out of bad emotional states, or even just finding herself out of them with no real understanding of how it happened... I very much get it. The way she spoke about those things, specific to her experience, was so moving to me. I cried literally 4 times. I am talking about many similar things with my own therapist these days, and hearing her talk about it the way she did made me feel... a lot of things. Less alone. Understood. Maybe not as f***ed up as I thought. Curious. A million other things. A lot of people talk about mental health — it's basically become a marketing tactic — but so few of them are really saying anything of value. This was a rare instance where I felt she meaningfully moved the needle.

- I loved the segment on Joanne. It's funny, but I think she more succinctly articulated that album's purpose ("I made an album for my dad...") in this interview than she did throughout the entire era itself. I know she said essentially that at the time, but it was always sort of intertwined with "I had a vision of a woman holding a glass of wine in a field..." and I think the promotional needs kind of got in the way of that simple message. I love the album, always have, but it was definitely a moment of clarity for me. And to hear how — though she stands behind the art of the album — it ultimately did not accomplish the thing she wanted it to (fixing her father) was heartbreaking but enlightening. And the futile idea, I think, of trying to fix others, however that may be, is deeply relatable for... I'm gonna guess most of us.

- I also loved her open discussion about other women in the industry. It was no surprise that she is supportive behind-the-scenes of others. I feel like some people think she doesn't care/doesn't pay attention because she doesn't constantly declare it on social media, but I think most of us knew she made efforts in more personal ways. And hearing how she felt she did not have support from the older guard of female icons was also enlightening, though again not surprising. I am sure people will focus on Madonna with regards to that quote, but the fact is so many women have openly taken a dump on her. Grace Jones, a stated influence on Gaga, has said countless nasty things. Even Roísin Murphy (I know she's not major, but there were many comparisons between the two when Gaga first came out), as recently as like a month ago, was making disparaging remarks about Gaga for literally no reason. All of that must have been brutal for her. And I am glad she has found a way to move past it and find a way to be kind for others.

- A million other things in the interview stand out, but this is already hella long... Suffice it to say, from the lyrics and things that she shared about the album itself, it sounds like it is going to be such an amazing body of work. Maybe even her best yet. And so...

On Chromatica and the Era

Again, I have a special tingly sensation that tells me this album (and the era) is going to be special. I really think it could be her best yet. So far, we have gotten so many exciting new things: Some amazing looks and fashion, some great magazine shoots, good music (yes, I like SL, though it is not my favorite song of hers), a clear aesthetic, some very intriguing lyrics/song tidbits/collaborations, some very competent rollouts (ROM so far), etc. And I really think there is more to come.

And while I hope it smashes — Rain On Me goes #1 for 18 weeks, the album sells 10 million copies, a $300M tour is eventually launched, etc. — I am also at a place with my fandom in which I know that is not what matters. What matters is Gaga. Her art. Her vision. Her message. Her voice. And how I will connect with that personally. Not how it connects with Twitter stans or music blog writers. But with me. (And hopefully you too. JK. I know no one has read this far.)

That's ultimately what the interview reminded me of: My relationship with Gaga. Why I have followed her for 12 years. Why she means so much to me. Why I think she's the greatest f***ing living legend we have. She's created a new world for us, and I'm ready to go there with her. I'd go with her anywhere. She's earned that trust.

 

[SEANGT 5,280]

This was mostly my reaction to the interview as well. I have really bad PTSD as well and I feel like she's the only person with an audience getting into detail about what it's like. And this album is all about that. I'm really happy for her to be on her healing journey and I feel like I'm on a similar path. It's nice to hear everything she has to say, but this interview was like an hour of her explaining succinctly all the reasons I love her. 

The thing with trying to fix her dad did make me cry as well because that's a huge part of my disorder and something that has ****ed me up too. Trying to fix people. 

[juicyjuicy 1,985]

Thanks for sharing this. Really powerful stuff, honestly.

but where da recording of dis interview tho

[Mulholland 1,052]

5 minutes ago, SEANGT said:

This was mostly my reaction to the interview as well. I have really bad PTSD as well and I feel like she's the only person with an audience getting into detail about what it's like. And this album is all about that. I'm really happy for her to be on her healing journey and I feel like I'm on a similar path. It's nice to hear everything she has to say, but this interview was like an hour of her explaining succinctly all the reasons I love her. 

The thing with trying to fix her dad did make me cry as well because that's a huge part of my disorder and something that has ****ed me up too. Trying to fix people. 

I am sorry to hear that you have some of the same struggles, because as I know, it is rough. Brutal. Sometimes almost unbearable. But I am glad you find a similar support in Gaga. It's one of her magic powers, it seems. <3 

[Cameltoe Chariot 15,153]

Everything you said is EXACTLY how I felt about this interview as well. What a pleasure it's been to follow this woman for the past 12 years. 

[ADVENTURE 856]

That was beautiful  thanks for sharing! I have not listened to the interview yet but now I’m really excited for it!

[ADVENTURE 856]

13 minutes ago, SEANGT said:

This was mostly my reaction to the interview as well. I have really bad PTSD as well and I feel like she's the only person with an audience getting into detail about what it's like. And this album is all about that. I'm really happy for her to be on her healing journey and I feel like I'm on a similar path. It's nice to hear everything she has to say, but this interview was like an hour of her explaining succinctly all the reasons I love her. 

The thing with trying to fix her dad did make me cry as well because that's a huge part of my disorder and something that has ****ed me up too. Trying to fix people. 

I have PTSD as well and she has helped me so much in understanding what I’m going through. It really is a great example of how seeing someone else go through something can also help heal yourself. I also have fibromyalgia and I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have someone to connect with on that. I think I’d feel lost. 

Gaga is such a beautiful person and it’s so awesome that we have a place to connect with one another about our own struggles. 

[Pop Music 20,540]

37 minutes ago, Mulholland said:

And while I hope it smashes — Rain On Me goes #1 for 18 weeks, the album sells 10 million copies, a $300M tour is eventually launched, etc. — I am also at a place with my fandom in which I know that is not what matters. What matters is Gaga. Her art. Her vision. Her message. Her voice. And how I will connect with that personally. Not how it connects with Twitter stans or music blog writers. But with me. (And hopefully you too. JK. I know no one has read this far.)

I loved this part 

I 100% agree that I want this album to smash hard but i've come to a point after ARTPOP that regardless of success I know I will love the album and it will help me a lot and so in the end I just love her and the music and that's it 

[Chromatica Island 8,517]

I read the entire thing and I agree with everything you said! Especially the part on mental health, I do the same thing with my problems, finding the root of the cause of my suffering and pulling myself out of it (I have bad anxiety and autism btw)

[Mulholland 1,052]

6 minutes ago, Pop Music said:

I loved this part 

I 100% agree that I want this album to smash hard but i've come to a point at ARTPOP that regardless of success I know I will love the album and it will help me a lot and so in the end I just love her and the music and that's it 

Totally! ARTPOP felt different, at least to me, because I feel like there were things she couldn't execute properly due to the behind-the-scenes stuff and honestly just some bad luck. Even in spite of delayed rollout now, though, she still seems laser focused, and I think the album is going to do most of the talking for her. (Whereas with ARTPOP, it was just months of mess...) And I also think after the last 6 years, where she has truly earned her place as an icon, it has made me feel less defensive on her behalf. She has proven herself. She will have ups and downs, but she has earned her place,  been given her flowers. (Though, IMO, she'll always deserve more.)

[Mulholland 1,052]

Just now, Monsterabriel said:

I read the entire thing and I agree with everything you said! Especially the part on mental health, I do the same thing with my problems, finding the root of the cause of my suffering and pulling myself out of it (I have bad anxiety and autism btw)

I am so glad you found those parts as moving as I did. I genuinely found that helpful in a way I never have when it comes to celebrities talking about their mental struggles. Again, I think it was the specificity and authenticity she brought to her statements. Glad they resonated with you too. <3 

[lucastecala 795]

I'm probably gonna get dragged for this, but I had greater expectations for this interview album content wise? For an era with such an specific aesthetic so far, and a very specific concept, much more than the previous era, to the point that there is an actual storyline, characters, mithology etc, I thought her explanation of her mindset for the album was nice, pleasant as usual, (because she is a nice and kind person overall), but vague, derivative and like she's repeating herself? The the very important stuff about her being in pain and HEALING through the record, and how she wants do project KINDNESS in the world, and how she reconnected with her HUMMANITY give us a familiar input on her persona, her feelings, her struggle and that is very powerful. But considering the topic was Chromatica, I got the feeling that I received very little information about what is specific to THIS record. I know healing, kindness and hummanity are concepts from which one should never astray, but I missed her talking a little bit more about how this specific album, and its concept, contributes to that discussion in terms of creative output. What's the metaphor here? What's the allegory? What's unique about THIS album, what's the philosophy behind it? What's the gravity center around which all the elements (music, lyrics, aesthetic) gravitate around? Maybe she couldn't get too specific because the album is not out yet. I hope that's it. 

[Mulholland 1,052]

14 minutes ago, lucastecala said:

I'm probably gonna get dragged for this, but I had greater expectations for this interview album content wise? For an era with such an specific aesthetic so far, and a very specific concept, much more than the previous era, to the point that there is an actual storyline, characters, mithology etc, I thought her explanation of her mindset for the album was nice, pleasant as usual, (because she is a nice and kind person overall), but vague, derivative and like she's repeating herself? The the very important stuff about her being in pain and HEALING through the record, and how she wants do project KINDNESS in the world, and how she reconnected with her HUMMANITY give us a familiar input on her persona, her feelings, her struggle and that is very powerful. But considering the topic was Chromatica, I got the feeling that I received very little information about what is specific to THIS record. I know healing, kindness and hummanity are concepts from which one should never astray, but I missed her talking a little bit more about how this specific album, and its concept, contributes to that discussion in terms of creative output. What's the metaphor here? What's the allegory? What's unique about THIS album, what's the philosophy behind it? What's the gravity center around which all the elements (music, lyrics, aesthetic) gravitate around? Maybe she couldn't get too specific because the album is not out yet. I hope that's it. 

I get that. I'm not in her mind, so can't say for sure, but I think two things: 1) For pretty much the first time ever, she wants to let the music/project speak for itself. She has not said this explicitly, although she sort of said it regarding the SL leak (in that Gagavision, I THINK, but not sure).. She said something like "... when I officially put the song out with the video, that is the complete artistic statement I want to make." Or something. And I feel that may be true of the album as well. And 2) who knows what is to come? More videos? Specials? Maybe certain plans got scrapped or changed... The world-building could all still happen. (Or maybe it can't now due to restrictions). But I don't think she is intentionally ignoring those things you want. And I hope they come, 'cuz I would love to see 'em too!

[HorusRa2 5,005]

I had a very similar reaction to the interview. It was the closest I’ve felt to her since Born This Way era. I really love her but I just felt like I drifted away from her for a multitude of reasons. I’m not being particularly articulate right now but it’s because I’m still mostly reflecting on the experience. I will say my excitement is definitely a 10/10.

[Jakkusan 799]

2 hours ago, Mulholland said:

Hello! Long time member, mostly a lurker, and really not very much of a thread starter, but...

... have had some thoughts rolling around in my head and felt the urge to write them out. And instead of opening a LiveJournal account like it's 2004, thought I would post here, should anyone be bored enough to read.

So I think the Chromatica era has been quite interesting so far, for reasons both great and not-so-great. Obviously the leaks and the delay and the confusion and the canceled rollout plans have been a disappointment, though that is neither Gaga's nor her team's fault whatsoever. But honestly, I have to say I feel nothing but excitement, like something special is about to happen. I feel this with every Gaga release, sure, as well as anytime someone I love releases a new project, but this seems different. More intense. More focused. But maybe it's just quarantine brain... Anyway!

Zane Lowe Interview

I'm mostly writing this to sort out some thoughts about the interview that was released today. I found it fascinating, and ultimately very moving. I think it might be my favorite interview of hers ever. She touched on so, so, so much, but I think some things are worth highlighting/are particularly interesting.

- For one thing, again, I think this is one of her best interviews ever, arguably her best. She seemed laser focused on her messages. She had a great and often surprising answer for everything. Several times throughout the interview, I caught flashes of the very same 2008-2009 Gaga that made me a fan, just older, wiser, and more mature. It's been a long time since I've seen that exact spark. Every era's character has been great in its way, but this feels like GAGA. I almost feel like I learned more about her during that hour than I have over the last 12 years combined.

- I loved her explanation of her decision to push the album back, even if just by (not quite) two months. She wanted to do something specific before getting abstract. I get that. It makes beautiful sense, and is still just so perfectly on-brand for her. And I am still so proud of what she did in such a short time in terms of raising that money and putting that special together. 

- The specificity with which she talked about her mental health struggles was particularly moving to me. The shame spirals. The sort of mindfulness of tracing a feeling down to its root. Not always understanding why you act or feel a certain way. How you cope with emotions. Pulling herself out of bad emotional states, or even just finding herself out of them with no real understanding of how it happened... I very much get it. The way she spoke about those things, specific to her experience, was so moving to me. I cried literally 4 times. I am talking about many similar things with my own therapist these days, and hearing her talk about it the way she did made me feel... a lot of things. Less alone. Understood. Maybe not as f***ed up as I thought. Curious. A million other things. A lot of people talk about mental health — it's basically become a marketing tactic — but so few of them are really saying anything of value. This was a rare instance where I felt she meaningfully moved the needle.

- I loved the segment on Joanne. It's funny, but I think she more succinctly articulated that album's purpose ("I made an album for my dad...") in this interview than she did throughout the entire era itself. I know she said essentially that at the time, but it was always sort of intertwined with "I had a vision of a woman holding a glass of wine in a field..." and I think the promotional needs kind of got in the way of that simple message. I love the album, always have, but it was definitely a moment of clarity for me. And to hear how — though she stands behind the art of the album — it ultimately did not accomplish the thing she wanted it to (fixing her father) was heartbreaking but enlightening. And the futile idea, I think, of trying to fix others, however that may be, is deeply relatable for... I'm gonna guess most of us.

- I also loved her open discussion about other women in the industry. It was no surprise that she is supportive behind-the-scenes of others. I feel like some people think she doesn't care/doesn't pay attention because she doesn't constantly declare it on social media, but I think most of us knew she made efforts in more personal ways. And hearing how she felt she did not have support from the older guard of female icons was also enlightening, though again not surprising. I am sure people will focus on Madonna with regards to that quote, but the fact is so many women have openly taken a dump on her. Grace Jones, a stated influence on Gaga, has said countless nasty things. Even Roísin Murphy (I know she's not major, but there were many comparisons between the two when Gaga first came out), as recently as like a month ago, was making disparaging remarks about Gaga for literally no reason. All of that must have been brutal for her. And I am glad she has found a way to move past it and find a way to be kind for others.

- A million other things in the interview stand out, but this is already hella long... Suffice it to say, from the lyrics and things that she shared about the album itself, it sounds like it is going to be such an amazing body of work. Maybe even her best yet. And so...

On Chromatica and the Era

Again, I have a special tingly sensation that tells me this album (and the era) is going to be special. I really think it could be her best yet. So far, we have gotten so many exciting new things: Some amazing looks and fashion, some great magazine shoots, good music (yes, I like SL, though it is not my favorite song of hers), a clear aesthetic, some very intriguing lyrics/song tidbits/collaborations, some very competent rollouts (ROM so far), etc. And I really think there is more to come.

And while I hope it smashes — Rain On Me goes #1 for 18 weeks, the album sells 10 million copies, a $300M tour is eventually launched, etc. — I am also at a place with my fandom in which I know that is not what matters. What matters is Gaga. Her art. Her vision. Her message. Her voice. And how I will connect with that personally. Not how it connects with Twitter stans or music blog writers. But with me. (And hopefully you too. JK. I know no one has read this far.)

That's ultimately what the interview reminded me of: My relationship with Gaga. Why I have followed her for 12 years. Why she means so much to me. Why I think she's the greatest f***ing living legend we have. She's created a new world for us, and I'm ready to go there with her. I'd go with her anywhere. She's earned that trust.

 

 

2 hours ago, Mulholland said:

Hello! Long time member, mostly a lurker, and really not very much of a thread starter, but...

... have had some thoughts rolling around in my head and felt the urge to write them out. And instead of opening a LiveJournal account like it's 2004, thought I would post here, should anyone be bored enough to read.

So I think the Chromatica era has been quite interesting so far, for reasons both great and not-so-great. Obviously the leaks and the delay and the confusion and the canceled rollout plans have been a disappointment, though that is neither Gaga's nor her team's fault whatsoever. But honestly, I have to say I feel nothing but excitement, like something special is about to happen. I feel this with every Gaga release, sure, as well as anytime someone I love releases a new project, but this seems different. More intense. More focused. But maybe it's just quarantine brain... Anyway!

Zane Lowe Interview

I'm mostly writing this to sort out some thoughts about the interview that was released today. I found it fascinating, and ultimately very moving. I think it might be my favorite interview of hers ever. She touched on so, so, so much, but I think some things are worth highlighting/are particularly interesting.

- For one thing, again, I think this is one of her best interviews ever, arguably her best. She seemed laser focused on her messages. She had a great and often surprising answer for everything. Several times throughout the interview, I caught flashes of the very same 2008-2009 Gaga that made me a fan, just older, wiser, and more mature. It's been a long time since I've seen that exact spark. Every era's character has been great in its way, but this feels like GAGA. I almost feel like I learned more about her during that hour than I have over the last 12 years combined.

- I loved her explanation of her decision to push the album back, even if just by (not quite) two months. She wanted to do something specific before getting abstract. I get that. It makes beautiful sense, and is still just so perfectly on-brand for her. And I am still so proud of what she did in such a short time in terms of raising that money and putting that special together. 

- The specificity with which she talked about her mental health struggles was particularly moving to me. The shame spirals. The sort of mindfulness of tracing a feeling down to its root. Not always understanding why you act or feel a certain way. How you cope with emotions. Pulling herself out of bad emotional states, or even just finding herself out of them with no real understanding of how it happened... I very much get it. The way she spoke about those things, specific to her experience, was so moving to me. I cried literally 4 times. I am talking about many similar things with my own therapist these days, and hearing her talk about it the way she did made me feel... a lot of things. Less alone. Understood. Maybe not as f***ed up as I thought. Curious. A million other things. A lot of people talk about mental health — it's basically become a marketing tactic — but so few of them are really saying anything of value. This was a rare instance where I felt she meaningfully moved the needle.

- I loved the segment on Joanne. It's funny, but I think she more succinctly articulated that album's purpose ("I made an album for my dad...") in this interview than she did throughout the entire era itself. I know she said essentially that at the time, but it was always sort of intertwined with "I had a vision of a woman holding a glass of wine in a field..." and I think the promotional needs kind of got in the way of that simple message. I love the album, always have, but it was definitely a moment of clarity for me. And to hear how — though she stands behind the art of the album — it ultimately did not accomplish the thing she wanted it to (fixing her father) was heartbreaking but enlightening. And the futile idea, I think, of trying to fix others, however that may be, is deeply relatable for... I'm gonna guess most of us.

- I also loved her open discussion about other women in the industry. It was no surprise that she is supportive behind-the-scenes of others. I feel like some people think she doesn't care/doesn't pay attention because she doesn't constantly declare it on social media, but I think most of us knew she made efforts in more personal ways. And hearing how she felt she did not have support from the older guard of female icons was also enlightening, though again not surprising. I am sure people will focus on Madonna with regards to that quote, but the fact is so many women have openly taken a dump on her. Grace Jones, a stated influence on Gaga, has said countless nasty things. Even Roísin Murphy (I know she's not major, but there were many comparisons between the two when Gaga first came out), as recently as like a month ago, was making disparaging remarks about Gaga for literally no reason. All of that must have been brutal for her. And I am glad she has found a way to move past it and find a way to be kind for others.

- A million other things in the interview stand out, but this is already hella long... Suffice it to say, from the lyrics and things that she shared about the album itself, it sounds like it is going to be such an amazing body of work. Maybe even her best yet. And so...

On Chromatica and the Era

Again, I have a special tingly sensation that tells me this album (and the era) is going to be special. I really think it could be her best yet. So far, we have gotten so many exciting new things: Some amazing looks and fashion, some great magazine shoots, good music (yes, I like SL, though it is not my favorite song of hers), a clear aesthetic, some very intriguing lyrics/song tidbits/collaborations, some very competent rollouts (ROM so far), etc. And I really think there is more to come.

And while I hope it smashes — Rain On Me goes #1 for 18 weeks, the album sells 10 million copies, a $300M tour is eventually launched, etc. — I am also at a place with my fandom in which I know that is not what matters. What matters is Gaga. Her art. Her vision. Her message. Her voice. And how I will connect with that personally. Not how it connects with Twitter stans or music blog writers. But with me. (And hopefully you too. JK. I know no one has read this far.)

That's ultimately what the interview reminded me of: My relationship with Gaga. Why I have followed her for 12 years. Why she means so much to me. Why I think she's the greatest f***ing living legend we have. She's created a new world for us, and I'm ready to go there with her. I'd go with her anywhere. She's earned that trust.

 

This is an amazing post and, from my bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for writing it! 

That’s her power, or at least the power I see in her: she’s speaking about some of the darkest parts of my own soul. It makes me feel so connected to her.