A Retrospective Analysis: Enigma

[NotMyFlop 1,979]

Welcome back! Thank you all who has been continually reading, and if this is your first review, I hope you enjoy. This has been a series of essays opted to review Chromatica in the light that all of her musical efforts - or eras - are extremely interconnected and they are all represented (conceptually or explicitly) in her current album. I have written Retrospective Reviews on: The Fame, The Fame Monster, Born This Way, The Fall Before ARTPOP, ARTPOP, Cheek To Cheek, Joanne and A Star Is Born.

In late 2017, Lady Gaga began to tease studio sessions with her fans; after a jam-packed year of the Superbowl, Coachella, filming A Star Is Born and embarking on the Joanne World Tour, the teasing was met with solid confusion. It couldn't have been for A Star Is Born, which was in the stages of early screenings, but a new record wouldn't entirely make sense. Perhaps, as several speculated, a small body of work could accompany the hype surrounding her and help merge the gap between Joanne and A Star Is Born. 

Instead, as should've been expected by the star who lives for the unexpected, she dropped a bombshell: she earned a lucrative $100 million residency in Vegas. Residencies, mixed in their reputation, had been steadily becoming a more profitable revenue for artists after Britney Spears changed the game. Lady Gaga, who was gradually re-peaking, was the most dominant star Vegas had nabbed. The impact was almost immediate: major artists started flocking to Vegas for small stints. While the announcement was met with excitement, it was quickly clouded by A Star Is Born. 

As anticipation steadily rose for the movie throughout the year, Engima (which wasn't named until summer), was not discussed. In August, a bizarre, weirdly-dark series of Instagram photos began to be posted. While fans adored them, the outside public was confused by the "natural" approach of A Star Is Born. The series of photos abruptly stopped after A Star Is Born's festival premiere. The rest is history: A Star Is Born was an overwhelming success. Arguably, the movie and soundtrack was much more successful than Warner Brother's anticipated. 

It was shown in the promotion for Enigma; which was virtually nonexistent besides a few (confusing) teases. Enigma would eventually also be a song title on Chromatica, which easily begs the question: Was Chromatica supposed to be the representative album for the residency? 

In short, no one will ever know besides Gaga's crew. It became clear once A Star Is Born reached stratospheric heights that it was put to the backburner. By the time it debuted in December 2018, it was filled with signature Gaga songs and some deep-cut fan favorites. The concept of a robotic persona taking us somewhere is eerily close to Chromatica's concept. Fans, however, had complaints that the production seemed rushed and not executed well. Interestingly enough, with the world obsessed with A Star Is Born, it was chosen only to perform one song from the movie. 

The existence of both Enigma and A Star Is Born seemingly contradicted the other; and with the residency being designed for multi-month breaks, it would fade into the background even more as award season came around and Shallow began to sweep. However, rather smartly, there was the second residency: her Jazz + Piano show. This show was more intimate, stripped back and showcased Gaga at her vocal prime. It flowed better with A Star Is Born, despite no songs from the movie being performed. 

On social media, there was oftentimes no mention of the performance except during corporate gigs (such as Super Saturday Night) and when she returned from an extensive break. If Chromatica was supposed to align with the residency, it was smart to withhold it: there was no reason to cross Shallow and A Star Is Born, and doing so would've severely hurt an album. 

In truth, had everyone been aware of what was coming, Enigma likely would've not come or come at a much later date. Had A Star Is Born been a moderate success, as was heavily predicted, a residency would've been able to exploit both the movie and new solo music perfectly. Instead, it ended up being a weird juxtaposition that Gaga herself didn't seem interested in. 

As the final scheduled shows of May 2020 were cancelled due to COVID, it has fallen into the subconscious as fans as now we are interested in Chromatica (more on that tomorrow). While there are still contractual dates that she is obligated to do, there is a chance she may never go back. The Chromatica Ball would serve well to any dates, but that is going to be rescheduled as well. 

With Chromatica now out, how will it affect Engima...? 

Coming Tomorrow: A Retrospective Review: Chromatica 

[NotMyFlop 1,979]

@pop ate my heart, @Salvador Sequea, @Alex Spade, @ARTGOD, @Thomas P, @Quartz, @Esme Squalor, @GreenDiamond, @PrincessDiez, @DiamondAngel, @GGVS, @Steven, @EuphoricVibez, @spamuelbtanner & @MOT

 

Thank you so much for reading the PENULTIMATE review.  This is probably the worst one I have written, and arguably should've broken it up between A Star Is Born and Chromatica's reviews, but. 

Chromatica, my magnum opus, will be up at some point this weekend. I genuinely think it encapsulates everything I have written so far and is a great ending. 

[MOT 2,960]

21 minutes ago, NotMyFlop said:

Welcome back! Thank you all who has been continually reading, and if this is your first review, I hope you enjoy. This has been a series of essays opted to review Chromatica in the light that all of her musical efforts - or eras - are extremely interconnected and they are all represented (conceptually or explicitly) in her current album. I have written Retrospective Reviews on: The Fame, The Fame Monster, Born This Way, The Fall Before ARTPOP, ARTPOP, Cheek To Cheek, Joanne and A Star Is Born.

In late 2017, Lady Gaga began to tease studio sessions with her fans; after a jam-packed year of the Superbowl, Coachella, filming A Star Is Born and embarking on the Joanne World Tour, the teasing was met with solid confusion. It couldn't have been for A Star Is Born, which was in the stages of early screenings, but a new record wouldn't entirely make sense. Perhaps, as several speculated, a small body of work could accompany the hype surrounding her and help merge the gap between Joanne and A Star Is Born. 

Instead, as should've been expected by the star who lives for the unexpected, she dropped a bombshell: she earned a lucrative $100 million residency in Vegas. Residencies, mixed in their reputation, had been steadily becoming a more profitable revenue for artists after Britney Spears changed the game. Lady Gaga, who was gradually re-peaking, was the most dominant star Vegas had nabbed. The impact was almost immediate: major artists started flocking to Vegas for small stints. While the announcement was met with excitement, it was quickly clouded by A Star Is Born. 

As anticipation steadily rose for the movie throughout the year, Engima (which wasn't named until summer), was not discussed. In August, a bizarre, weirdly-dark series of Instagram photos began to be posted. While fans adored them, the outside public was confused by the "natural" approach of A Star Is Born. The series of photos abruptly stopped after A Star Is Born's festival premiere. The rest is history: A Star Is Born was an overwhelming success. Arguably, the movie and soundtrack was much more successful than Warner Brother's anticipated. 

It was shown in the promotion for Enigma; which was virtually nonexistent besides a few (confusing) teases. Enigma would eventually also be a song title on Chromatica, which easily begs the question: Was Chromatica supposed to be the representative album for the residency? 

In short, no one will ever know besides Gaga's crew. It became clear once A Star Is Born reached stratospheric heights that it was put to the backburner. By the time it debuted in December 2018, it was filled with signature Gaga songs and some deep-cut fan favorites. The concept of a robotic persona taking us somewhere is eerily close to Chromatica's concept. Fans, however, had complaints that the production seemed rushed and not executed well. Interestingly enough, with the world obsessed with A Star Is Born, it was chosen only to perform one song from the movie. 

The existence of both Enigma and A Star Is Born seemingly contradicted the other; and with the residency being designed for multi-month breaks, it would fade into the background even more as award season came around and Shallow began to sweep. However, rather smartly, there was the second residency: her Jazz + Piano show. This show was more intimate, stripped back and showcased Gaga at her vocal prime. It flowed better with A Star Is Born, despite no songs from the movie being performed. 

On social media, there was oftentimes no mention of the performance except during corporate gigs (such as Super Saturday Night) and when she returned from an extensive break. If Chromatica was supposed to align with the residency, it was smart to withhold it: there was no reason to cross Shallow and A Star Is Born, and doing so would've severely hurt an album. 

In truth, had everyone been aware of what was coming, Enigma likely would've not come or come at a much later date. Had A Star Is Born been a moderate success, as was heavily predicted, a residency would've been able to exploit both the movie and new solo music perfectly. Instead, it ended up being a weird juxtaposition that Gaga herself didn't seem interested in. 

As the final scheduled shows of May 2020 were cancelled due to COVID, it has fallen into the subconscious as fans as now we are interested in Chromatica (more on that tomorrow). While there are still contractual dates that she is obligated to do, there is a chance she may never go back. The Chromatica Ball would serve well to any dates, but that is going to be rescheduled as well. 

With Chromatica now out, how will it affect Engima...? 

Coming Tomorrow: A Retrospective Review: Chromatica 

Thanks once again.

Enigma may be done and dusted. Post-covid, Chromatica Ball has to be next on the agenda. Would she/they want to return to Enigma after that ?

I've never been to a Gaga concert, but I had tickets for Enigma and J&P in May. Never mind. I'll get her again.

 

[ICouldntThinkOfOne 215]

This is a very interesting read, but I have to ask the question 

Its clear Enigma was a well intended but rushed mess; A return to form for Gaga, that ended up missing the mark. The costuming and styling is  messy, and some of the most questionable decisions Gaga and her team have made; From the boots, to the neongreen ruffle jacket and cloak, the purple outfits..... etc. The second wig being possibly the worst wig she's worn. They seemed cheap. The staging isn't spectacular when you realise that this should be more in line with a Broadway show as it doesn't have to travel but it is, for the most part a video screen and a run way with no set pieces. The choreography isn't particularly inspired or new, and the remixes are too like what we have seen on other tours. The 'concept' of the show is also, messy, at best, being a Wizard of Oz style voyage of discovery, whilst also being a Sci-Fi inspired Video Game journey; it falls flat because Gaga has already done Oz with the Monster Ball, and a Sci-Fi style with BTWB. 

Which raises the question; If this served as a greatest hits show, wasn't it treated as such? It IS a success but it has no way forward!

...but aren't Vegas contracts horrendous to escape? Like Britney's Dad had to fake being sick and being at immediate risk to postpone her show? I can't see how these shows would be cancelled, but it will definitely infringe on Chromatica.


 

[Born in Chromatica 7]

Thank you once again for your reviews!! Love to read them. I always wondered whether Enigma was supposed to be the next album title or next era of Gaga's career. It was an interesting title to name a residency, especially when it was an unreleased song. And I wonder what the later Enigma shows would have been like with the release of Chromatica, whether we would have had a show more like what Enigma was created to be. I guess we will never know. Can't wait for the Chromatica review tomorrow. 

[NotMyFlop 1,979]

2 hours ago, MOT said:

Enigma may be done and dusted. Post-covid, Chromatica Ball has to be next on the agenda. Would she/they want to return to Enigma after that ?

Yes. I think in general the idea of concerts is gonna be radically shaken up; since Gaga herself struggles with touring, I could even see her doing hyper-specific virtual shows. Imagine a "Gagachella" where she performs and films a few concerts, charges $25/ticket and livestreams them. 

2 hours ago, ICouldntThinkOfOne said:

Its clear Enigma was a well intended but rushed mess

Which raises the question; If this served as a greatest hits show, wasn't it treated as such? It IS a success but it has no way forward!

...but aren't Vegas contracts horrendous to escape? Like Britney's Dad had to fake being sick and being at immediate risk to postpone her show? I can't see how these shows would be cancelled, but it will definitely infringe on Chromatica.
 

Enigma I think suffered because of A Star Is Born and then everything else that has happened; if it comes back - which it might contractually - it will need a significant face lift in the style of Chromatica to work. As you mentioned (but I didn't quote) "Wizard of Oz" analogy is true; but sounds very watered down compared to what Chromatica is. 

Naming the show "Enigma" and having a song with the name is insanely clever; since the song is about how she be whatever people want her to be and her career reflects that. If they wanted a greatest hits show, it could've been framed in sections that showcase how enigmatic she is (rock, jazz, pop, country, etc). 

I honestly don't know how Vegas contracts work. I believe that if she can escape them, she should. Enigma will do use to Chromatica and limiting the album to Vegas (assuming the show gets reworked) just seems ill-advised. While The Chromatica Ball isn't expansive, it becomes much more accessible to people around the world. 

This also works as a reply to @Born in Chromatica's comment too. 

 

[ARTGOD 3,266]

I hope Enigma eventually comes back in some form. There are a lot of great ideas in that show, but you can tell how rushed it was.

I don’t know what the future holds for this show but I hope it can eventually get some type of redemption.