Perfect Illusion is a masterpiece

[Ladle Ghoulash 32,979]

5 minutes ago, AVeryGagaHolyDick said:

She has like five better lead singles

Clears Applause and Stupid Love, to be sure. 

[AVeryGagaHolyDick 27,954]

19 minutes ago, Ladle Ghoulash said:

Clears Applause

 

19 minutes ago, Ladle Ghoulash said:

Clears Stupid Love, to be sure. 

Yes, but only thanks to the lyrics

[Ladle Ghoulash 32,979]

8 minutes ago, AVeryGagaHolyDick said:

 

Yes, but only thanks to the lyrics

Yeah, clears the ever loving **** out of Applause, I fear. The reheated JD/PF type synth lead, clunky pseudo intellectual lyrics? It’s decent, but probably one of the weaker songs on the album overall and easily one of her weakest leads (second worst single on the album, only after G.U.Y). Good video, though!

Edited November 29, 2025 by Ladle Ghoulash

[AVeryGagaHolyDick 27,954]

5 minutes ago, Ladle Ghoulash said:

Yeah, clears the ever loving **** out of Applause, I fear. The reheated JD/PF type synth lead, clunky pseudo intellectual lyrics, the kitschy Bowie affect? It’s decent, but probably one of the weaker songs on the album overall and easily one of her weakest leads. Good video, though!

Just Dance and Poker Face’s synths sound nothing alike, let alone Applause’s  and if you’re referring to a short and repeated catchy instrumental melody, then know that Perfect Illusion has one too  Now if anything, Applause sounds closer to Perfect Illusion than it does to Poker Face, undeniably has better lyrics than Just Dance (and Stupid Love obviously). 
Perfect Illusion is the little almost analog depressed sister of the EDM celebratory Applause.

[NUTELLA 16,216]

2 minutes ago, AVeryGagaHolyDick said:

Just Dance and Poker Face’s synths sound nothing alike

Girl

[AVeryGagaHolyDick 27,954]

1 minute ago, NUTELLA said:

Girl

They so don’t  Poker Face has like a distorted organ/bass driven low main synth (throughout most of the song) while Just Dance has a high piched video-game-like synth that only plays in the intro and quietly in the chorus

[Ladle Ghoulash 32,979]

20 minutes ago, AVeryGagaHolyDick said:

Just Dance and Poker Face’s synths sound nothing alike, let alone Applause’s  and if you’re referring to a short and repeated catchy instrumental melody, then know that Perfect Illusion has one too  Now if anything, Applause sounds closer to Perfect Illusion than it does to Poker Face, undeniably has better lyrics than Just Dance (and Stupid Love obviously). 
Perfect Illusion is the little almost analog depressed sister of the EDM celebratory Applause.

No, I’m referring to the staccato synth leads at the beginning of each song (which PI doesn’t have). I’m also not saying those types of synth leads are categorically bad, it just feels very obvious to me that Applause was trying to recapture that same sound in a way that I think wasn’t incredibly successful. Applause sounds absolutely nothing like PI btw. Like in what world? Completely different tonal centers, different synths, different types of melodies, different structures. Sister, we’ve got to be real here. 

Edited November 29, 2025 by Ladle Ghoulash

[Ladle Ghoulash 32,979]

One thing I love (?) about this site is it’s uncanny ability to get me to pick apart songs I like to defend other songs that I like from critiques I disagree with. 

[gagafan1234 25]

Just now found out there are people who don’t like PI… 

Always thought it was an obvious great song ?

Edited November 29, 2025 by gagafan1234

[River 120,847]

7 hours ago, Starmie25 said:

I personally don't like the Kevin Parker Demi because it's more, well, Tame Impala ft. Lady Gaga

I think Gaga could do magic with it if she worked with him alone, because she would get into his head, she would understand his artistry and then will Gaga it.. Ronson and BP only interfered this connection.

[princedeeblebleble 2,355]

I don't really enjoy the album version, even as a big metal fan who enjoys the operatics, growls and screams, her vocals are just not enjoyable, mainly cause theres no peaks and valleys. There's a difference between masterful vocal aerobics and belting, like she did on most her albums, especially Harlequin and Mayhem, but on Joanne, Till it happens to you and Shallow she was obviously too "Hey gurl, look how much of a vocal powerouse I can be,  it ain't just costumes!". 

However a lot of Haus of Afrodita mixes of the song made me really enjoy the song. They really saved the sort of boring productions of Joanne and Chromatica with their mixes. 

[Blackout19 13,361]

The all album is very good

[Joshie S 6,363]

Perfect Illusion was ahead of its time. That higher octave at the end? 

it's a masterpiece. 

Also it was her first POP banging return, since ARTPOP.

The song Perfect Illusion is about Troy Carter, ex management, and so called "fans". Detailing her sad enlightenment of people who just used her to make money.

[HayThurJack 360]

MASSIVELY agree

[nATAH 52,500]

I used to love PI back in the day but these days, i just wish it was more fearless rock (same applies to the rest of the album (cus interscope popified it))