When it comes down to her music, most people think of her disco-stick glory days of The Fame and Born This Way. After those two big hits, many people just skip over her recent album before Joanne, which was the practically song-less album, ARTPOP.
Since the poorly reviewed album, Gaga has been taking different routes in the industry. Gaga has appeared as characters in the award-winning FX series, “American Horror Story,” and created a joint album, Cheek to Cheek, with famous jazz crooner, Tony Bennett. This album was criticized but praised, as it was a respectable Hail Mary after ARTPOP.
With Joanne, Gaga is renewing her image in the music industry as she changes her music to something more pure, personal and humble. It’s a soft-rock/country-pop album that one wouldn’t consider Gaga’s “normal” style. There is a cowgirl aura around this album with tracks such as “John Wayne,” where Gaga wonders where all the heroic and good cowboys are.
Mama Monster has seemed to stray away from her usual disco glam fame and has gone for some more subtle but still powerful tunes. The album is titled after her deceased aunt, whom Gaga has never met, but feels she still has a connection with her. Joanne Germanotta died at 19 from lupus, but left behind pieces of poetry and letters, which has greatly inspired Gaga.
The song “Joanne” is very raw with acoustic guitar, beginning with the lines: “Take my hand, stay Joanne. Heaven’s not ready for you. Every part of my aching heart needs you more than the angels do.” It’s probably one of the most emotional songs as it pulls at the listener’s heartstrings, along with the track “Angel Down,” which is an ode to the young African Americans who are taken from this world too early.
True country grit comes back again later in the album with the track “Sinner’s Prayer,” which is about a breakup (possibly the recent break from her boyfriend of five years) that she didn’t want to happen. She co-wrote the song with Father John Misty, who played the guitar in this piece.
A duet with Florence Welch was also added in this album with the song, “Hey Girl,” which was found to be a tribute to Prince, who passed away earlier this year.
There aren’t too many senseless fun dance hits in this album, besides the fast pace songs “A-YO” and “Perfect Illusion.” Most of the songs on this album have some deep meaning and purpose behind them that show the thoughts of Gaga, as well as revealing her home roots.
The latest Gaga album is deep. Critics shouldn’t bug Gaga for straying away from her normal sound, as it’s obvious that this album is conveying messages this generation should listen to.
Photo Credit: www.magzter.com