Appreciation Thread for Lady Gaga's "Out of Place" Ballads

[27monster27 11,302]

Since some people on this forum want to sound like critics in 2008-2009 that said Brown Eyes and Speechless were "fake" attempts to sound serious, but this time with DWAS, I think an appreciation thread for "out of place" ballads from her early career is in order:

And a shout out to the unreleased:

(There's a lot more released and unreleased than what I put here, but y'all get the gist.)

I'm just saying, this is normal and a part of her career. Ballads like this are who she is, so much so that some people thought it was weird that Thousand Doves appeared on the main album in a dance version instead of the ballad version.

[Siena 5,792]

Thank you !! I'm so confused by the meltdowns regarding the album not being cohesive. Is Dope exactly cohesive with the rest of the songs on ARTPOP? You can have the same argument regarding every ballad on every gaga album. Also in the Rolling stone interview she literally said the album goes many different directions, including "dreamy" and "funk". It seems very obvious to me that while this album will be quite industrial and electronic, there are lots of interesting vibes and genres she will be playing with. I think we can handle a ballad...and if not it can be skipped. 

[Kayi 1,065]

I agree Gaga's ballads are so good, emotional and powerful, y'all are unfunny to criticize her ballads when she decide to drop one. 

Also I can understand why some ppl are a bit disapointed that DWAS is included to LG7, I do think it's a bit confusing. I think that my theories fits to what Gaga just delivered, the album starts with chaos (celebrity way of life, traumas, hard working, chaos creativity, etc...) and then become more peaceful (love, music, healing, etc...). So maybe LG7 could starts with heavy productions like Notorious Being, Disease, Abracadabra, etc... And then end with sweeter, softer musics like DWAS and other pop and ballad records ? 

To me Garden of Eden is defo about finding peace in love and making music in her studio without all the pressure. DWAS is about love, it's a less personal song lyrically but her connexion with Bruno was true. Gaga would defo dedicate this song to Michael, her family, her friends and her fans. You can dedicate this song to the ppl you love too. 

Like ok it's a less experimental song but this is good ballad with amazing vocals, production and a big touch of nostalgia of 70s Rock music. I can hear the "ASIB" and "Silk Sonic"eras influences in this song, I love it. She said that she likes creating music with different kind of artists and listening to what ppl like. LG7 is a big party. 

[Kayi 1,065]

15 minutes ago, Siena said:

Thank you !! I'm so confused by the meltdowns regarding the album not being cohesive. Is Dope exactly cohesive with the rest of the songs on ARTPOP? You can have the same argument regarding every ballad on every gaga album. Also in the Rolling stone interview she literally said the album goes many different directions, including "dreamy" and "funk". It seems very obvious to me that while this album will be quite industrial and electronic, there are lots of interesting vibes and genres she will be playing with. I think we can handle a ballad...and if not it can be skipped. 

I do think that "Dope" theme is cohesive to the rest of "ARTPOP". Sonically I would say that the heavy sounds of synths/piano (idk) fits to the heavy sounds of the rest of the album, but the rawness and vulnerability of her voice + the piano instrumental make it softer and that's why the transition works. 

"Brown Eyes" was a Glam-Rock ballad and the rest of "The Fame" album is inspired by Rock and retro sonorities with a splash of modern. 

I agree with you, I think that Gaga will do the same for DWAS, she somehow found a way to put it on the album. 

[Bronco 6,167]

2 minutes ago, Kayi said:

I do think that "Dope" theme is cohesive to the rest of "ARTPOP". Sonically I would say that the heavy sounds of synths/piano (idk) fits to the heavy sounds of the rest of the album, but the rawness and vulnerability of her voice + the piano instrumental make it softer and that's why the transition works. 

"Brown Eyes" was a Glam-Rock ballad and the rest of "The Fame" album is inspired by Rock and retro sonorities with a splash of modern. 

I agree with you, I think that Gaga will do the same for DWAS, she somehow found a way to put it on the album. 

I agree with you (although I'm a lil more iffy on Dope). 
But I think the better comparison if how would people have reacted if Brown Eyes was released pre-The Fame - either before or after Just Dance - and then confirmed for the album? I'm pretty certain the exact same "it doesnt belong" narrative would exist. 
And imagine if we got I Wanna Be With You/Dope before Applause? The whiplash would have been crazy lol 

But in both cases like you say, the songs make sense on the album. And I'm sure DWAS will. 

[HoeMoe 940]

The way ARTPOP would've ended BTW if Princess Die and Brooklyn Nights were included.