All about the icons of pop culture. Including art, music, TV series, movies and fashion. Queer in nature, straight forward in its approach and classical in an unconventional manner. From review to preview, I'll talk about it, analyze it and celebrate it! Icon Art Marilyn loves pop culture.
An icon is someone who makes an effort. Art makes an effort. Therefore art is an icon. Marilyn Monroe was and is an icon and a work of art as well. Hence Marilyn Monroe and art have a nature in common. Icon - Art - Marilyn is iconic.
Hey yall! As you do know by now I am a huge fan of everything concerning the theories of gender,sex,queer, feminism and performance. And as I am very secure in the texts that surround the theories I am tempted to get the whole thing to the next level: reality.
During last Tuesdays LGBT social night we dressed up as a rainbow, and of course, I was in team red. Besides my narcicistic wish to win best dressed, yes I am a bit vain, I also made the whole eening an exciting experiment. As I dressed up, and looked more and more of a mixture of fucked up dirty drag queen and glam rock experiment, I thought about what the color red represents in the LGBT flag. Of course it represents life but also sexuality. And, the whorry, slutty and cunty person I am, I bought a whip, with a heart shaped end, to complete my outfit for the evening. Covered in red glitter, dolled up with lip stick, eyeliner, red paint and tons of red lipstick I had a close look at my actual outfit. I wore a red shirt, burgundy red pants and my cherry red Dr. Martens boots, and yes they are the same Miley wore in the Wrecking Ball video. I actually looked like a mixture of a dominatrix and busted gender blender. AWESOME!
As you can see, Dita was everything else then shy.
And now, let me build yu a bridge to where I am commig from right now academically. My dissertation is going to be on the use of S&M i pop culture, mainly in thee different types of works. These three are "Venus in Furs" a novel by Leopold von Sacher Masoch, published in 1870, SEX by Madonna, yes I mean the 1992 published super scandalous coffe table book, and the 2012 released 5 minute short film FAME by Lady Gaga which is also a commercial for her perfume Fame.
And to get better understanding of why Madonna put up the figure of Dita in her book sex, I thaught that for this night, my name could be Dita as well. I introduced my outfit to my friends as: "My name is Dita, I will be your mistress tonight!". Very Madonna, very erotica and due to my outfit and masquerade very much gender fuck. Below you ca see the pictures of Ditas kisses and lipstick writings on everyone, cause "Dita is one everyone."
As a result I can say that putting on a persona and do something with it is extremely liberatig and very empowering. But at the same time I can imageine that the character in itsself is a very intimidating one.
And of course I want to give a big big big thank you to all my amazing friends who have allowed Dita to kiss, draw on and whip them. You guys seriously are amazing!
Okay it has happened again: a leak! I've had this topic before and I still have to say i do not appreciate leaks and the problems they bring with them. Thing is: Lady Gaga's latest pop epos should have been released earliest on November 6th in Japan, but the album has leaked in full and high quality on November 2nd. And thing is that I could not resist and have listened to it in whole. So now I can give you a track by track review of "ARTPOP". But still I will get my digital copy and my physical copy, which I encourage you to do as well, since we should support our favorite artists.
I have discussed the cover an promotional efforts of "ARTPOP" in very length. And by that I mean that I have discussed everything concerning "Applause", the "Applause" Music Video, made comments on why Lady Gagais like Tinker Belle, analyzed the leaked song "Aura" and have been tweeting about the album constantly. As well I have given you some of my opinion on the legendary "ARTPOP" album cover that Lady Gaga has been releasing slowly and part by part via her fans tweets. So we can skip the usual pre-story of the album and hump directly to the songs. Oh and by the way: That one review on a certain bad gossip webside, from a certain Person calling herself a "music journalist" on her twitter actually is so painful to read that i just want to say that never a Madonna die hard fan, and I love Madonna myself, should be allowed to write a review of a Lady Gaga Album. I mean she believes that the hips surgery of Gaga in February 2013 was fake. Yeah, and so was the moonlanding! #Idiot #Fail
I have given you my opinion on the song before. The Studio Version might be a bit different to the leaked ´Version, but actually it is even more magical with Gaga's voice beeing atonal to the Music at some point. Actually it is a great Album starter and gives you a hint that "ARTPOP" will be a joyride of all the gaga-esque things we love! That leaves "Aura" with a nice 8/10 in the ranking.
Released as part of the countdown to "ARTPOP" "Venus" has gotten ist own in depth review from me. Nothing much to add to it so I am just gonna give it a nice "I love it!" and a rating of 9/10 possible points.
03 - G.U.Y.
Wow! I absolutey love the beginning of the song. I mean the intro is very electronic but still very mystical and the song does really do it for me. I mean what is not to love about the rendering of guy to "G.U.Y."? The idea of a girl under you does not mean that one is not a feminist. (Never Forget about 3rd wave feminism!) The whole song raises the qustion of power in relationships and about the power of females in love. Possibly a feminist disco sex anthem with a great electronic undervibe. Typically Gaga - a straight 9/10!
04 - Sexxx Dreams
Definitly one of my absolute favorites on "ARTPOP". It is a mid tempo song with a twisted and naught sounding beat to it and the way she manages it to use her voice within the music and give it that robotic and electronic but still very sexy twist is just plain amazing, in my opinion. The lyrics are just absolute great and remind em of a mixture of a cheesy love Story with an affair in the middle and a great sexual romance. The song definitely lives up to its expectations and therefore gets the first 10/10 in the review of this album!
05 - Jewls'n Drugs Feat. T.I., Too Short & Twista
I love it when Gaga hits onto new territories and different muscial Genres then her usual pop, rock and electronic. And this one is her first really major venuture into hip hop and rap. Her lyrics are dark and bitchy twisted and typically hip hop and rap. But sadly I have to report that I would have liked the whole thing better with just Gaga and only one of the three doing rappers on it. Even though the beats and the electronic tunes are epic, get you to bring out your inner rapper, the song has not that much Gaga vocals to it, so it is a bit disappointing. Still a great song, but not my favorite. So that gets it a rating of 7/10.
06 - MANiCURE
Very rock, very sexy and very glam pop - you can directly feel Grace Jones and Kiss joining in. But broken down it is another typical Gaga song that will get you on your feet to dance and go up and down to it. It is all about naughtyness and rock chicks having an addiction to two things: men and manicures. But not in that silly Barbie way, but in a very independant women way. Very strong powerfull and a clear 8/10 for me!
Another song we have already heared as promotion for "ARTPOP", and also the second single due to ist huge success in the iTunes Charts. (That song has sky rocketed to the number one spot in 70 countries! And that is a new record!) A good song with great lyricas and vocals that gets me totally in the R'n'B mood. (Even though I could also get rid of R.Kelly on it, but aint nobody got time for that!) Make it an 8/10.
08 - ARTPOP
And there is the mystical title track that personally is one of my favorites. The atmosphere it spreads is a mixture of mystical rosegarden meets out of this world art show with rebirth performances. A very refreshing song that really shows how an electronic voice can be used in a high quality to actually make music less mainstream by sing a meanstream technique. Also the song really Shows what "ARTPOP" is all about: bringing things together. Another 10/10 for me!
09 -Swine
Gaga has has a feud with Perez Hilton after he allegedly stalked her. Right after her iTunes Festival Performance was called "Swine Fest" by her. Coincidence? What so ever, "Swine" is an amazingly rck and electro song that deiveres the goods everywhere. With its experimental and rough sound Gaga actually gets deep into the topic of people relation and how oneself can turn into a swine on the inside. Very good sing along song as well, ad hence a clear 9/10!
10 - Donatella
My personal favorite from "ARTPOP" is Lady Gaga's hommage to Donatella Versace. The beginning, where Gaga sings: "I am so fab! Check out: I am blonde, I'm skinny, I'm rich and I am a little bit of a bitch!", could easily become her new: "I want my whisky mouth, down over my blonde south.". The lyrics are actually so wrong sometimes that it is campy to such an extend that we have to read them ironically. The chorus gives me the shivers and the line "Walk down the runway but don't punke // its okay // you just had a salad today" gives me the big smile! A clear 10/10 for me!
11 - Fashion!
The first one where I really raise my eyebrows. I hear the will.i.am in this! And, even though I love the BEP, i am sick of will.i.am and his endeaours in music. The song is more on the slow side and sings about all things "a la mode" and fashion. But basically it is the developement of her earlier song "Fashion". Sorry Gag's but this one is just okay for me, so its just a 6/10, cause compared to the rest it seems pretty weak.
12 - Mary Jane Holland
And another favorite of mine. To get Madeon in the boat of "ARTPOP" producers was a great idea. I mean this drug inspired song is just amazing. "Russian hookers and cheap gin" is easily another remarkable and iconic lyric line that makes its way directl into my heart. And the sich and twisted beats this song has gets you to bounce your cool out and be all sexy, naughty, dirty! A definite must listen in "ARTPOP" with the guarantee of controvery! A clear 10/10, even though it really is all about weed ;).
13 - Dope
Earlier the song was presented as "I Wanna Be With you", but now changed to "Dope". But the basic message to the fans is the same since it says that Gaga is nothing wthout her fans and that she really is only half and completed by her little monsters. The first ballad on "ARTPOP" and definitely a good one. BTW: to change to "Dope" to make the Little Monsters her new must have or otherwise she'll die drug is a good shift... in my ears. A good 8/10.
14 - Gypsy
Already hyped as THE new Gaga song, I must say that I don't think so. I mean I like it and it really is a description of what Gaga is living: the live of an always wandering gysy. And this of course brings certain problems. But anyways: the song is a nice ballad at the beginnig and then turnig more and more pop and classical Gaga. A really nice song about her life and a perfect 9/10.
"ARTPOP" has been described as a night at a club, a musical journey and an experience in whole. And ehat usually comeas after such things is "Applause". A perfect album closer, since it goes iout with a big big bang! I have reviewed the song already, and you should not hesitate to read the review here. A very solid 8/10.
In summary: "ARTPOP" is a damn good album that really shows Gaga's abilities as an artist. The songs s´might not be tht chart friendly and radio playable to some points but it is more experimental then ever! With "ARTPOP" Gaga has proven to be in it for the long run and that she can combine genres, art and pop, pop and art, sex sells and feminism, self referencing and hommage and has given us a hell lot to be excited about with it. Is "ARTPOP" the best pop album since Michael Jacksons"Thriller"? Well, it sure has all the potential for it, but time has to show this. Is "ARTPOP" better than her previous albums? Hard to say, but as each Gaga album it is special. Pointwise "ARTPOP" has gained 129 out of 150 possible points which make it average at 8,6 points per song. And that is a hell of a lot and has beaten Miley Cyrus "BANGERZ" from the throne which had a song average of 8,4. So now it is up to you what you think and to Gaga, what she does with this amazing piece of music called "ARTPOP".
We have all been desperately waiting for Lady Gaga to finally smash us wit her cover for ARTPOP and make the wait for the album a little sweeter. And today she gave fans the chance to unveil it by tweetig up a storm using #IheartARTPOP, and uncovering it piece by piece. And hell, I love it!
From the very first moment on we knew that ARTPOP was going to be all about the fusion of high concept art and pop art with high concept pop and pop music. And Gaga has left us without any doubt that she has the intend to make this album part of pop culture history and to defend her crown as the queen of contempory high concept pop superstardom queen. (Jeez, that was some fucking complicated sentence!) Okay now lets get directly to the cover:
Hello, cover! It is quite disturbing I have to admit. The cover is definitely not one of the covers you love on first sight if you are not immersed into the pop and pop art discurse. You might not even like it on the second, third or fourth view. Chances are: If you are not a Jeff Koos fan or appreciator you might find this one actually just disturbing. But I love it. It has the appeal of a graffiti merged with a Botticelli painting that has collided with a scissor. And then we have slashed on some pink paint and thrown it into the mixer.
The centerpiece is a Jeff Koons sculpture of Gaga with blue ball, a part of Koons oevere, covering her v-jay jay. Actually that is qauite a good metaphor for giving birth to ARTPOP, a theme we are used to around Gaga since the Born This Way era. The statue of her actually reminds me of the statues in the Korova Milk Bar in "Clockwork Orange". The pose might be a revealing one and could even be labeled as exploitation of the female body, but in the content of pop culture and Koons it actually is a criticism of female exploitation, an absurism in the sense of classical art and an hommage to the naturalness of the act of birth and motherhood. Besides that the Botticelli background gives us all we need to see that a renaissance of pop and art and art and pop is eminent on ARTPOP, so get your tickets to the museeum and pop some shit up!
Well, you sure do know that I love me some after Disney Miley Cyrus, and yes by that I mean that I take her with her weird tongue and her sometimes ridiculous twerking. And now the bitch has set BANGREZ free for streaming on iTunes, and of course I am gonna review it track by track! So hit it!
First off, the album covers. There are 6 possible album covers for BANGERZ. And, all of them are great and I really like them, I would choose number 2 and number 4 my favorites. But this is not set in stone, and never will be since I love the concept of the cover. It has something trashy and hipster to it with a vibrant 80's feeling. The neon sign for BANGERZ is one of the best ideas I have ever seen to spell an album title. And in defense of cover number three, all I can say is: Grow up, and get used to some skin. I mean its common in pop to be revealing. There you go!
Okay lets start this review off and go right trough BANGERZ, track by track.
01. Adore You
Wow! It is a strong thing to start off an album called BANGERZ with such a slow song, that on top off all is a ballad. No tongue, no twerking & no party on this one. The song is beautiful and really ensures that the listener knows from the very beginning of the album that this is really a record from an adult, and no Hanna Montanna in sight. Could be seen as an love ode to former fiance Liam Hemswortth and is lyrically seen just very smart. I like it and it definitly is a strong opener. A 9/10 for the beginning makes the song a true banger in the rating!
02. We Cant Stop
Love it. Have twerked, danced, showered, driven car and whatever to it. My jam. If you want to get a deep review of it check it out here! Definitely a 10/10 on my scale!
03. SMS (Bangerz) (Feat. Britney Spears)
Uhm that one sure in a BANGERZ song! I mean Brit and Miley: Hell Yeah! Miley sure has the voice for it, allthough it sounds a bit forced. But to pull off lyrics as "They ask me how I keep a man / I keep a battery pack" you have to have balls, and Miley might have big ones. I like the dirty sexy vibe of the song and the Brit part sets it on fire! A great song for party and sexy time, but its questionably if im gonna like it after 100 spins so "just" 8,5/10. But still: WHOAH! And fuck to all those who say its sounds bad, cause it does not!!
04. 4x4 (Feat. Nelly)
Hell the girl puts it up! This one is an electro pop country song that has something funny to it, and Miles voice really comes to carry. Its unexpected and fun and has great lyrics as well, when Miley declares herself a female rebel. And by that she aint that wrong, I mean media claim her to be rebellious. The Nelly part is even better, and her sure raps her out, but he is Nelly and this is Mileys first grab on hip hop and rap. The song in general gets a 8/10 from me.
05. My Darlin' (Feat. Future)
First one on BANGERZ that has something to it that is not for me. This one at parts really is too slow. But its so nice that she explores anoter genre already when it comes to ballads. But here you seem to already know that Miley does so much about love and her relation that you thing: "Jeez, thats hopefully the last Liam H. referenced song!" - And no it isnt. But still a very solid and enjoyable song that deserves a good 7,5/10.
CALM DOWN GURRL! And it is so hard to stay cal when the great show-business surviver, goddess of pop, goddess of the gays and original diva Cher is returning to the biz with her new album "Close To The Truth"!
Originally "Closer To The Truth" will be released on October 4th in Germany, but Cher has tweeted a link to an amazon page where you can stream all of the songs of the standard version of the album. and it has been such an eargasm to listen. Let me tell you: this woman not only is gorgeous, kind, loving and caring but as well talented as fuck. I mean she is CHER! Lets start with the amazing album cover. Okay, we all know Cher has had some things done but who gives a fuck I mean we have other fish to fry than an individuals decisions about their ow body! She looks absolutely stunning. It seems like she can turn back time, no joke intended, because with her 67 years she looks great, sexy and eve dresses her age! Madonna could learn from her that looking good and sexy is still possible if you dress our age. And I don't want to discriminate because of age! And just look at it. She looks stunning and the idea of being closer to truth for me is represented within the cover. She looks like an antique goddess, and who but the gods know the truths of life. And I will be so frank to say that she definitely knows some truths of life, such as: love, fear and all about showbiz! But lets get to the songs, and give them a song by song analysis as such album deserves it!
#01 - Woman's World
This song just is the classical pro-women, feminism and female independence anthem and pop song. I love it. It is just a great opener. If you want a detailed analysis just look here and find out what I think in detail about this great song! I will give it a straight 9/10 points!
#02 - Take It Like A Man
And here comes what makes Cher so special. Her amazing voice mixed with a little autotune. And it sounds so good! The song is all about to stand your point/man if you want a woman's heart, to really work it out about everything. The tune is funky, fresh and fun. For me it is the furthering of Believe, well at least sound wise. This song gets a 9/10 as well on my scale!
#03 - My Love
This one gets me really in some serious mixture of 80's and 00's mood. It is just a great song for Cher's voice with big lyrics that really build up this raise your arms feeling. But I wish the song could have a little more of the bang factor. But really this is the only criticism I have. It is such a great song for everything from driving in your car, to sing along to lying in bed and listening it while cuddling. And that makes the song an 8 on the scale.
#04 - Dressed To Kill
In the beginning the song reminds me a bit of "Bang Bang", but then turns around and aligns with the other songs and males them a four-pack since they all have this modern disco thing to it. You might say that it makes it boring, but I would say that I really enjoy it, since I am not a child of the disco era. Oh, and the song is about dressing to get what you want, not only sexually, but also expressing desire of all kinds trough clothing! Another strong 8/10!
#05 - Red
Probably my album favorite! I mean the sound of it has this modern dance pop to it, the lyrics are off the hook making all these great references to the color red: "All I see is red now // Red in my heart // Read like my blood // Read like my lips" . Love it. I mean I love red, so it is natural that I love the song! It is awesome, and gets the first 10/10 in this review!
#06 - Lovers Forever
Okay first thing I am not so madly in love with is the beginning of this song. I mean it is goo, but it could be better. I don't know what it is but... Lyric wise the song is well really great, but I am not so sure about the acoustics and the instrumentals. Well still better than many other songs, but i have to give this one a 6 1/2 out of 10. Maybe just not my tune!
#07 - I Walk Alone
Very gypsy in the beginning, but then adds that beat that makes it modern. Unfortunately I am not that much into this folklore pop stuff. But around the hook she really turns it around, and gets me to stay with the song. And the lyrics are so great! Basically it is all about the self-determination and individuality of women Cher represents. So this one gets a 7/10.
#08 - Sirens
Okay Sirens is a song that is more quiet and slow, and normally I am not a fan of such songs, but this one is another exception. Love it! Cher can really pull of such a ballad. And the line: "From the song of sirens, love can survive" has had me! How great is it that a pop star uses the analogy of the greek sirens in the right context? I imagine this video while walking in the dark in a street with lots of lanterns. The first ballad to get a 9/10 from me (Besides Fergies "Finally").
#09 - Favorite Scars
The beginning reminds me a bit of the beginning of Natasha Bedingfields "Little Too Much". But it is definitely not a rip off. I mean its way slower. The topic of risking things in life and love, to throw one self back in the game for the better and not hide oneself is a typical Cher thing, and the song is just a great tune to sing along. And that makes an 8 out of 10 in my counter!
#10 - I HopeYou Find It
Okay that one could be a Robbie Williams tune! Seriously, you can imagine him singing this! And that doe snot discredit the song but rather raises the awesome nature of it. It is another ballad like song that expresses the wish for someone to be happy in their life. Maybe a former lover? We don't know, but this could also be a song from Cher to Chaz. I would like it to be that. Full of feeling and a straight 8/10
#11 - Lie To Me
Not so crazy about the "Wuhu" beginning, and yet it is another slow song, but that actually is okay. I mean the album is two parted. Party and ballads. The line to love from this one is "The truth is overrated!" I think it is a good song, but I would not have put it on the last spot of the CD, but lets wait for the three bonus songs on the Deluxe Edition. 7/10.
The total score of "Closer To The Truth" is (Half pints will be added off to full ones).... 90 out of 110. And that score is pretty awesome! The average song rating is around 8,2 which supports the notion that the album has not got one disappointing song. Maybe one that is not your favorite but no song that falls out of line. I would not say that "Closer To The Truth" will be defining this years second half in music, but it definitely has huge potential to become one of the most important this year! I am so excited for October 4th to come to finally claim this lil baby mine!
Lately I have written like five posts about Lady Gaga and what things she is about to release and what I think we will se coming. But with last nights revelation of her new single cover art work, and her first interview with the world since six months we get a deeper inside of what ARTPOP and Applause will be like.
Well of course I will put first things first and talk about the most obvious: the cover for her new single Applause, to be released on August 19th. As we can see it is a totally different approach to a cover art then we know from Gaga. If you think of her usual covers, no matter if album or single, tis one does not quite fit the grid. It is first of all white, and never before has there been a cover that has had so much white. Her covers normally are dar and have that edge of violence, power and sex. Bit that white and theatrical, make up smeared and puppet like image wows the community of little monsters once more. if we go in deeper we of course have the chalk white based face. It is like an empty canvas, on which make up is smeared. A deep blue and a fiery fierce orange contrast. Her eyer have a very starring attitude and seem to directly address the viewer. Her hair is caught behind the black turban, and her face surrounded by some white coat. Somehow the cover reminds me of a clown, but in other ways it is almost a reinterpretation of a puppet from a puppet theater, since it is some kind of lifeless. Additionally I am hugely reminded of Picasso and his interpretations of women. Important to notice as well is that there is a resemblance to this picture to classical ballet and performance art. Closing off the picture is underlined with the hand written line "lady gaga applause". The handwriting is very unusual as well, since in the Born This way time Gaga has used either bold fat capitalized letters or edgy writing. definitely a new approach. The whole cover comes off as a painting since it is surrounded by that black line, which would emphasize ARTPOP's most obvious message: the exchange between pop and art.
When it comes to the interview Gaga gave "Women's Wear Daily" she really lets us view deep into ARTPOP and how it really is concepted. She says that it has been worked on for the last 6 months, and she has started from a blank canvas. ATPOP also seems to be about beauty and especially feeling comfortable with your natural side of beauty. She, in my opinion, finally expresses the deepest thought of Born This Way, expresses the inner regions of her, and really brings them outside and makes herself vulnerable, bare and naked. This bare and naked theme has also been reflected in what we have seen until now from ARTPOP images. But she gives us a clear saying that ARTPOP is not a phase to be pinned down by the style of one image or single cover. Not every image defines an era, she just says it is the captured momentum we get to see. The article is headed by a quote, simply telling us: "Gaga: I am every Icon". And what might sound a little to full of herself might be the best way to bring that image she wants us to see and analyze out there. ARTPOP is less about sheer consumption and warholian repetition like "The Fame", less about cultivating deep dark things than "The Fame Monster" and more then sheer involvement then "Born This Way". When she is asked to explain the single cover, to explain the story behind it, she answers that the interviewer should analyze it first, otherwise it would not be art. And she is right about that. What points out is the "command" to not only consume, create and recreate the seen, heard and experienced by rather to analyze, deconstruct and understand deeply the message behind this and enjoy the craft as a construct: art.
Concerning applause she gives away that the video was directed by Inez Vinoodh, as well as her cover shoot for V magazine was done by them. The master class of art in collaboration with the master class of pop. Well that really gives us the reminder ARTPOP is about the clash and collaboration, exchange and work of art and pop together, or as Gaga would probably put it. "When Pop sucks the tits of Art!" What is so interesting about the collaboration is that Gaga stated that she never felt beautiful before she was shot by Inez Vinoodh, which brings up the question: will there be the answer to the question of what beauty really is in this album? Probably not, but wouldn't that be beautiful in its own way?
