OMonster 14,637 Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 - The Fame saw Gaga comment on excess and the superficial nature of celebrity - The Fame Monster shone a light on the darker side of fame/love/desire - Born This Way was filled with artistic metaphors about equality and 're-birth' - ARTPOP showed us a pop star's rebellion against 'the machine' Since then, there hasn't been quite so much wider commentary - in the music or visuals. Don't get me wrong, I've enjoyed that. Joanne and Chromatica were very insular in that they shed light on Gaga's own life - and the 911 video, in particular, was a very artistic and 'Gaga' way to do that. But do you think she'll ever say something bigger in her music/work again? Something that goes beyond her own experiences? And I don't mean a single song or music video. I mean a full album/era where there's an underlining theme that ties everything together. The Weeknd, for example, has said a lot about superficiality and fame in the visuals for After Hours. The 'character' he has been playing has provided a commentary on the insanity of Hollywood. Do you think Gaga will ever play a 'character' again, in that way, to make an artistic point about something? subtext / fantasy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill 28,378 Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 Art is always commentary one way or another. In Joanne, she comments on her personal situation but also on the more general problems a family (any family) could have when one of their own leaves too soon, the trauma that follows, the multi-generational scars. It's not only about her. The same goes to Chromatica. The themes of trauma and the importance of mental health, of safe places one could retreat to, of art as a form of escape, they're all meant to resonate with a bigger audience than just her. That's what art is for, that's what art does, and to divide it so cheaply on these very general binaries between "commentary" and "no commentary" is disingenious to the artist imo Former First Lady of the United States. Now card-carrying member of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PEZ 6,180 Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 18 minutes ago, OMonster said: Joanne and Chromatica were very insular in that they shed light on Gaga's own life - and the 911 video, in particular, was a very artistic and 'Gaga' way to do that. But do you think she'll ever say something bigger in her music/work again? Something that goes beyond her own experiences? Tbh, I view Joanne and Chromatica as commentaries in the same sense that you have laid out for her previous albums. While they indeed make clear references to her own personal struggles, I think they also have the ability to make their audience reflect on intergenerational trauma, mental health, and healthy and unhealthy coping strategies, and how listeners approach those topics both in general and personally connecting with their own experiences. She just didn't need to build as much of a character for it; she could use herself as their template as-is. Depending on the fan, those two albums/eras may or may not have delivered that commentary and development on a theme as strongly, as tightly packaged, or in as artistic or highfalutin a manner (I say highfalutin in a loving way, I love the dark excess and drama of Gaga's expressions of her other commentaries, e.g. fame is so rooted in performance and performativeness), but I personally think it's still there. ⚡🐲 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FATCAT 59,293 Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 Thought you meant this lmaoo I can't be free if my hands are tied... 🧟♀️👰🏻 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMonster 14,637 Posted February 5, 2021 Author Share Posted February 5, 2021 Maybe I have explained myself badly. I understand that all art is commentary. And even commentary about ones own life has a broader meaning. But I don't think Gaga has used performance art to actually say anything particularly 'interesting' in a long time. The 911 MV was close. Maybe I'm just overthinking, lol. I just think Gaga's recent eras/work have lacked a wider, cultural point beyond 'just' mental wellbeing, family or healing... with the 911 MV probably being the exception. subtext / fantasy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill 28,378 Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 Just now, OMonster said: But I don't think Gaga has used performance art to actually say anything particularly 'interesting' in a long time. Well now you're just taking your own opinion and assuming everyone thinks the same way Former First Lady of the United States. Now card-carrying member of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werewoof 2,401 Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 1 minute ago, OMonster said: Maybe I have explained myself badly. I understand that all art is commentary. And even commentary about ones own life has a broader meaning. But I don't think Gaga has used performance art to actually say anything particularly 'interesting' in a long time. The 911 MV was close. Maybe I'm just overthinking, lol. I just think Gaga's recent eras/work have lacked a wider, cultural point beyond 'just' mental wellbeing, family or healing... with the 911 MV probably being the exception. I think I get what you mean! Possibly. Do you mean that you don’t think she’s done any large metaphors or allegories lately? As in like 911 being an entire thing about addiction done in a sort of abstract way as opposed to perfect illusion which is more to represent the vibe of the song itself, not the message Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PEZ 6,180 Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 15 minutes ago, OMonster said: But I don't think Gaga has used performance art to actually say anything particularly 'interesting' in a long time. I just think Gaga's recent eras/work have lacked a wider, cultural point beyond 'just' mental wellbeing, family or healing... This may be down to difference of personal preference between us. For me, mental wellbeing is much more important and interesting than, say, fame or industry. I'm not famous or going through the pop music meat grinder, but I am sick and suffering, and I relate much better and thus find them more interesting. Also, family and healing are indeed cultural points for many -- not for all individuals, of course (e.g., if you don't feel close to your family then you're probably not gonna relate to themes of being daddy's best little girl in the world who owes it to her pops to 'fix' him and mend his heart, that sort of unhealthy dynamic in intergenerational trauma, etc.), but it is cultural, e.g. if you grew up in a "it takes a village to raise a child" kind of culture, or even 'my personal trauma or whatever is holding me back or whatever I was attacked for growing up affects every way I interact with the world, my beliefs, my politics, my choice of championed causes, how I view other individuals or society at large' etc. What I'm trying to say with that is, culture isn't just who's famous and what's art, it's also about how everyday people relate to and conflict with each other at home and in larger society. ⚡🐲 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xoxo Craig 55,649 Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 Chromatica is commentary from start to finish End Racism Now Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
r4therupbeat 1,587 Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 it won't cause she wants to be an actress now - whatever we knew we can forget it - she is nothing like the gaga we knew artistically or attitude wise and im starting to be fine with that Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leoooo 2,266 Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 1 hour ago, r4therupbeat said: it won't cause she wants to be an actress now - whatever we knew we can forget it - she is nothing like the gaga we knew artistically or attitude wise and im starting to be fine with that Shes always been an actress, throughout her entire career she has done acting in some way but her projects now are just more high scale. She will always be the same Gaga at heart from day 1, she's just grown and has a very different life to the one she had those years ago and been through a lot. But it is good to be okay with knowing she (nor any artist) can ever be who they were 10 years ago even if they tried, some actually do try and it is always quite sad to see, its all about growth! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xoxo Craig 55,649 Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 31 minutes ago, OMonster said: Maybe I have explained myself badly. I understand that all art is commentary. And even commentary about ones own life has a broader meaning. But I don't think Gaga has used performance art to actually say anything particularly 'interesting' in a long time. The 911 MV was close. Maybe I'm just overthinking, lol. I just think Gaga's recent eras/work have lacked a wider, cultural point beyond 'just' mental wellbeing, family or healing... with the 911 MV probably being the exception. Maybe you've lost interest in Gaga. Alice provides commentary on what its like to be going through a mental illness attack but wanting to keep looking for glory Rain On Me is a battle with addiction, and saying a big fck you to all the problems she faces because she's tough enough to walk through the storm. Free Woman is commentary on her acknowledging her self-worth after her sexual assault Fun Tonight is commentary on how objectification effects her when trying to have a good time. The whole irony of the lyrics compared to the song title isn't just for show 911 is commentary on what its like to take medication, this idea of radically accepting a wider issue and trying to move forward. Plastic Doll is objectification by the music industry Replay is literally a whole commentary on what its like to have PTSD and other mental health issues Sine From Above is commentary on her rediscovering her love and passion for music Babylon is commentary on her giving the middle finger to all the gossip and all the hate she received The whole album (start to finish) is commentary about her journey post-Joanne and after her deep depression and finding solace in music and herself again. The cinematic feeling brings that to life. Its Gaga's most personal, most honest, most authentic album to date. Its split up into 3 sections for a reason, and its not just for cohesiveness End Racism Now Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RenegAde 18,373 Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 For me Chromatica not only comments but deeply explores mental health than any of her past albums Rain on me is about holding on when the whole world is crumbling around you (which was literally happening) . 911 was about the antipsychotic medication she was prescribed . I Dont want to go into detail but every track explores some form of mental health or state of mind Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thefamebitch 826 Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 At least in this current time, I can see her commentary become a lot more personal as she gets older. Marriage, possible children, etc Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 5, 2021 Share Posted February 5, 2021 Chromatica is an entire album with commentary in the lyrics about mental health. How is that insular? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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