Twerpocalypse 2013 - 20 Songs That Invaded My Ear - Part 2

As I have started the list of my Top 20 songs of 2013 yesterday, and gave you numbers 20 till 11, including the honorary mention and list widening number 21, now we will get down to buisness and crack the nut (I know, a bad Christmas joke, right?) Lets get this Twerpocalypse on the go!

 

#10 - "Trouble" by Natalia Kills from "Trouble" (2013)

Since she popped onto the scene of pop music Natali Kills has taken my heart by storm. And "Trouble", as the name giving song from her second album, is jut earcandy. And there aint no better gift Natalia could have made to her fans then her second studio album with a banging title track. Trouble begins as a slow song and then developes into this high energy overflower of a title track. Just a sing along and a perfect number 10. 

#09 - "Girlfriend" by Icona Pop from "This Is... Icona Pop" (2013)

Icona Pop have taken the world by storm in 2013 and might be the best thing ever happened to electronic dance and pop music since Lady Gaga. Their song Girlfireind not only happened to be the song stuck in myy ear but as well my favorite song from their debut album "This is... Icona Pop".  Very light hearted but full of good vibe beat thunder "Girlfiend" may get off lesbian vibes, and that s good, but the two are not a couple.

#08 - "Womans World" by Cher from "Closer To The Truth" (2013)

Oh, what have we been gagging at the return of the Empress of Pop and Drak Lady herself! And "Womans World" is all taht we love about Cher She pulls out all disco, combines it with dance and maes it about femnism. What is not to absolutely adore about it? At the club it is a banger, for the car as wel and you simply can not help but to sing along!  And after all the music industry is a "Womans World" and Cher is the motherfucking empress!

#07 - "Close To You" by Neon Trees from "Picture Show" (2012)

One of my personal new discoveries of 2013 but a definite exception when it comes to the release date, "Close To You" is one of these tracks that make you want to cuddle your better half as hard as possible and never let go of that person. A bit melodramatic, a bit rock and a whole lot of feeling to it. A definite must in this playlist even if not released in this year. 

#06 - "Do My Thang" by Miley Cyrus from "Bangerz" (2013)

BY now everyone should ave got the hint that 2013 maked the year of the #TWERPOCALYPSE. And who is guilty of bringing it upon us? Miley Cyrus. And hate on her or not but she definitely belongs on the list, especially with BAGNERZ really beein a good ablum. And "Do My Thang" definitely is my favorite track off that jam. It hits all the right notes and gets this mood out that says im cool, im here, i rap (even though I am white) and deal with it!

#05 - "Sexxx Dreams" by Lady Gaga from "ARTPOP" (2013)

I have been waiting for the new Gaga album forever and I was not disappointed as I heard it for the first tme. I fell immediately in love with "Sexxx Dreams" when she first performed it during her appearance at this years I-Tunes Festival. Slow, sensual, sexy, and seductive. That is waht makes "Sexxx Dreams" living up to its name. A killer hook that featurs one of the longest # ever (#WhenILayInBedITouchMyselfWhenIThinkOfYou) and a vibrant beat and guitar that should get everyone going. 

#04 - "You're Not The One" by Sky Ferreira from "Night Time, My Time" (2013)

Sky prooved to be a real insider tip this year as she was kind of in the scene aready but her label seemed to not have taken so much interest into her. So it took forever to release her debut album "Night Time, My Time". "You're Not The One" is the lead single that really rocks the 80's elcetropop with huge indie waves and a great reminiscence of David Bowies "Low". A definite must have on everyones IPod as well as...

#03 - "Everything Is Embaressing" by Sky Ferreira from "Ghost EP" (2012)

...this song as it has really dominated my playlists this year.  Beeing the second exception on this list due to its release year it definitely is one of the great records of our time. Since Sky melancholy has never looked and sounded any better and we just love it. Witty, humorous and smart "Everything Is Embaressing" is a smart dance pop, funk number from the slow kind that gives you life while listening while it has a clear hint of this Lana Del Rey sadness. Probably one of the best songs this year, as it has been released as a single in 2013.

#02 - "Artpop" by Lady Gaga from "ARTPOP" (2013)

The title track of "ARTPOP" gives us what the whole concept of ARTPOP is all about: rawness, elctronic vibration and a hybrids of the unlikeliest kinds. Music wise the song gives us the full essence of the album as it flows all over the place with synth pop beats, edm influences and a high dose of out of this world sounds. "We could, we could belong together" and "Artpop could mean anything" give us the clear impression that Gaga will have more in stores for us with the whole concept of the reverse warholian experience.

#01 - "We Can't Stop" by Miley Cyrus from "Bangerz" (2013)

The defnite song of the year is "We Can't Stop". Love it, hate it, despise it or adore it. There was no way one could escape this song in 2013. As Miley has made her debut in the adult music industry it is to be noticed that besides controvrsial lyris and a slighty shocking music video she has creatd her own brand of music: dirty south hip hop inspired pop with electronic nuances. "We Can't Stop" is a mid tempo pop song that had us all, you know you tried, twerking, if we can or can't. See? This number one is the #TWERPOCALYPSE i was talking about!

Thats it. Im off. Possibly twerking. #TWERPOCALYPSE

My Name Is Dita - An Experiment

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!

DITA IS ON EVERYONE

"Academia" - Lady Gaga - The Deconstruction of a Pop Star Identity

In light of Gaga's latest album beeing released, I think it is time for me to give you my latest academic turn on Gaga. In this essay I will show that Lady Gaga is a huge identity construct that shows that she is not the usual pop star we expect her to be. So I hope you can enjoy the read. 

Structure

1. From Warhol’s Theories of Perception and Grotesque, out of this World Couture to constant Gender Blur and a Fight for LGBT IQA Rights – Welcome to the Multi Layered World of Lady Gaga
2. The Theory of Plural Identities and Identity as a Construct
3. Camp – [Former] prison for an illegal minority, now […] a holiday for consenting adults (Core, 80)
4. Queer and Queer Theory – Deconstruction as an Enterprise
5. “A unicorn, [a] giant vagina, a meat couch, homoerotic dancing & screaming monsters. U won’t see that sh*t at a Bieber concert. #BornThisWayBall” (@VEVO) – Lady Gaga and the Art of Grotesque
6. A Pop Star and a Message – Why Lady Gaga is able to Spread her Agenda
7. Stripper Boots and Female Empowerment – Lady Gaga as a feminist (?)
8. Joe Calderone, Yüyi the mermaid and a sexualized body – Lady Gaga’s relation to Gender, Sex and Drag
9. Fashion Forward, Fashion Fatale, Fashion(able)? – Lady Gaga and “la mode”
10. The Beauty and the Beast – Monster Like or a Real Lady? – Beauty & Lady Gaga
11. In Shape and in Style – Lady Gaga and the Body
12. Mother Monster and her Little Monsters – Lady Gaga and her Fans
13. Lady GayGay thanks “God and the Gays” – Gaga and LGBT Activism
14. Violence, Sex and Tabloids – Lady Gaga and the Unholy Trinity of Celebrity Culture
15. Lady Gaga – A Multitude of Identity Parts
16. List of Works Cited

1. From Warhol’s Theories of Perception and Grotesque, out of this World Couture to constant Gender Blur and a Fight for LGBT IQA Rights – Welcome to the Multi Layered World of Lady Gaga

[Lady Gaga:] When you watch each image and you watch each thing come out, they might not look exactly the same. I’m not defined by the same designer or defined by the same hair cut or defined by the same icon. The statement is that I’m not one icon. I’m every icon. I’m an icon that is made out of all the colors on the palette at every time. I have no restrictions. No restrictions. (Iredale)

As Lady Gaga makes a visually stunning, theatrical and artistic complex comeback to the music scene she constantly reminds the ever scandal hungry public that she is more than what obviously meets the eye. Behind the glamorous and outrageous fashion choices, shocking and fascinating performances, disturbing and mesmerizing music videos there are many different layers at work, all the time. Lady Gaga is more than a flat character, more than a single identity, or as she puts it in the quote: “I’m every icon.” What meets the academic interest here is that this pop star gives us a view behind the curtain. Lady Gaga apparently is a well thought, multi layered, ambiguous and controversial construct nourished by the possibilities offered by a queer world reading, camp and grotesque aestheticism and an anti – heteronormative identity and gender performance.

In this essay I will give a reading of the identity construct of Lady Gaga. Theoretically I will center my analysis on Amartya Sen’s theory of identities as constructs of plural affiliations and I will prove that multi layered identity constructs are not contradictory. Ongoing, I will explain the functions and mode of operations of queer, camp and explain the importance of grotesque for this essay. As I have laid out the theoretical basics I will go on and dissect the most important and prominent features of the constructed identity that is Lady Gaga and provide this identity autopsy with examples of the oeuvre of the artist. Alongside I will show why her body of work has such an impact on popular culture and why her disturbing attempts to change the world one sequin at a time are so successful.

2. The Theory of Plural Identities and Identity as a Construct

The economic theorist and essayist Amartya Sen is widely famous for his book Die Identitätsfalle – Warum es keinen Krieg der Kulturen gibt. In this book he not only explains his ideas of multiculturalism and cultures and oppression but also his theory of identity as a construct. Sen begins his argumentation with the notion that every “realer Mensch […] vielen verschiedenen Gruppen angehört […]” (Sen, 35 ) and that being part of numerous different categories simultaneously is very important (Sen, 33). He exemplifies this argument by giving the reader a short display of some of the groups he belongs to:

Was mich betrifft, so kann ich mich zur gleichen Zeit bezeichnen als Asiaten, Bürger Indiens, Bengalen mit bangladeschischen Vorfahren, Einwohner der Vereinigten Staaten oder Englands, Ökonomen, Dilettanten auf philosophischem Gebiet, Autor, Sanskritisten, Mann, Feministen, Heterosexuellen, Verfechter der Rechte von Schwulen und Lesben, Mensch mit einem areligiösen Lebensstil und hinduistischer Vorgeschichte […] [bezeichnen]. (Sen, 33-34)

Each and every part of these groups is ranked in a hierarchical system and case by case one has to decide which one of this identity parts takes which priority (Sen, 34). As to be observed are the following two rules: Erstens die Einsicht, das[s] Identitäten entschieden plural sind und das die Wichtigkeit einer Identität nicht die Wichtigkeit einer anderen [zunichtemachen] mu[ss]. Zweitens mu[ss] man […] entscheiden, welche relative Bedeutung man in einem bestimmten Kontext den unterschiedlichen Loyalitäten und Prioritäten beimi[ss]t, die möglicherweise miteinander um Vorrang konkurrieren. (Sen, 34)

The idea that all the given identiy parts are plural and can coexist is further emphasized by Sen when he explains that „[j]eder von uns hat in seinem Leben in unterschiedlichen Kontexten an Identitäten vielfältiger Art teil, […] und jedes diese Kollektive kann einem Menschen eine potentiell bedeutsame Identität vermitteln.“ (Sen, 38). His argumentation comes to a closure by the following statement: Im normalen Leben verstehen wir uns als Mitglieder einer Vielzahl von Gruppen, denen allen wir angehören. Staatsangehörigkeit, Wohnort, geografische Herkunft, Geschlecht, Klassenzugehörigkeit, […], Musikgeschmack, soziale Engagements usw. – das alles macht uns zu Mitgliedern einer Vielzahl von Gruppen. Jedes diese Kollektive, denen ein Mensch gleichzeitig angehört, verleiht ihm eine bestimmte Identität. Keine seiner Identitäten darf als seine einzige Identität […] verstanden werden. (Sen, 20)

All the examples Sen has provided, his argumentation, that identity is a construct of smaller identity parts which are plural in their nature, but not exclusive nor contradictory in their connection and coexistence, paints the picture of identity as a multi layered concept applicable to any human being, regardless of age, gender and sex. No identity part might be understood as the individual’s single identity. The identity theory he presents is based on two primary sources: the plurality of the identity parts and their changing priority due to the change of context.

3. Camp – [Former] prison for an illegal minority, now […] a holiday for consenting adults (Core, 80) 

Since its first emerge in the Stonewall era camp has come a long way and transcended into mainstream culture making it a “disguise that fails” (Core, 80). What Core wants to express is that camp emerged in the time of the 1960’s and 70’s as a matter of “passing”. In her essay, From Interiority to Gender Performatives, Judith Butler not only explains how gender is constructed, and how the heteronormative discourse keeps its power, but also the reason why camp emerged: “[Camp emerged] as a strategy of survival within compulsory systems, [since] gender is a performance with clearly punitive consequences. […] we regularly punish those who fail to do their gender right.” (Butler, 366). What Butler expresses is that camp emerged as a disguise for homosexuals. But what makes it more special than a normal disguise is that camp is a disguise constituted to fail (Core, 80). Core explains his poetical description of camp as follows: “There are only two things essential to camp: a secret within the personality which one ironically wishes to conceal and to exploit; and a peculiar way of seeing things, […], but strong enough to impose itself on others trough acts or creations.” (Core, 82), which brings us to the understanding that “CAMP is in the eye of the beholder, especially if the beholder is camp.” (Core, 81). This means that the disguise of camp only fails if the recipient is aware of camp and its workings. Further it is understood as a parodic device characterized by irony, aestheticism, theatricality and humor (Horn, 87). Therefore camp relies on its audience’s ability to “find” it, a characteristic that it shares with irony and its discursive community.

Even though camp emerged in the homosexual community one does not necessarily need to be homosexual to be, understand or create with camp (Core, 80). But, as I said before, “It takes one to know one.” (Core, 80). A remarkable ability of camp is that, due to its nature, it is able to operate at the heart of popular culture without generally being perceived as criticizing it at the same time. “The “normal” man remains comfortable with camp because it amuses him.” (Core, 85) and to add: there might be a good possibility he might not understand what camp is about. Camp resides on people’s desire to be entertained (Core, 85). To ensure its survival and multiply its abilities and space to work within “[…] camp has taunted the media to concentrate on excess, any excess […]”, because camp works best in the realm of its four basics: theatricality, aestheticism, irony and humor. Excess and over the top aesthetics offer the best possibilities for an effective use of camp, which explains why Lady Gaga can be seen as camp, because no other pop star is as excessive in her existence as she is.

One could easily question: Why this excess? Why the aesthetic sweets buffet? With the help of camp it is possible to criticize. In his essay Warhol’s Camp Matthew Tinkom put it as follows: “[I]n camp we witness viewing practices which do insist on reading […] popular culture for [it’s] limits and contradictions” (Tinkom, 348). Hence, it is perfect for this criticism since one must know of the workings of camp or either would not perceive a campy work as such. Which brings us another glimpse of Core who named gave the most striking line about camp: “CAMP is a lie that tells the truth.” (Core, 81). If a campy work is placed in the center of the discourse it criticizes, it alleges conformity but is placed publicly for all camp insiders to see. “CAMP is gender without genitals” (Core, 83) explains camps over the top nature as exaggerating gender and ironizing it to a point where camp is gender fluid and gender mocking.

Another important characteristic of camp, and especially of Andy Warhol and therefore of Lady Gaga’s camp, is it’s appreciation of glamour (Tinkom, 349). Warhol as an artist always sought out to iconize and ironize everyday products by sheer endless repetition. When he turned to film he “[…] sought to use the materials of Hollywood in order to critique it.” (Tinkom, 348). Warhol, as Lady Gaga, used Hollywood glamour and ironized it to a point where it reached such an over the top point from where it was constructed that it ultimately was only to be perceived as constructed. Tinkom showed the way of Warhol’s camp by stating: “Remembering Warhol’s comment that he wanted $ 1.000.000 from Hollywood to make a movie, I can only hazard that the final product might have looked like Terminator II with RuPaul playing the hero.” (Tinkom, 351).

"Music Minute" - ARTPOP - A track by track review!

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 Gaga is 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

01 - Aura

 

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.

02 - Venus

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!

07 - Do What U Want Feat. R.Kelly

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.

15 - Applause

"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".

"Music Minute" - Lady Gaga "Venus" - A reference review

After two very different sounding snippets of her song "Venus" have been released, Gaga furthser teased her fans by tweeting three different possible covers or the single: all photographed by Steven Klein.

And we should start off the whole thing about "Venus" with the covers. As one can see: all of them are daring and different, and do not continue the white look of the cover from "Applause" and "Do What U Want". And I have to say that I really enjoy the dark side Gaga brings to the covers. In cover number one we have her with a scorpion on her face, and clearly this is a reference to Marina Abramovic an her portrait with a scorpion. She channels the version with closed eyes. What is to be mentioned her is the wound she has under her arm. Question is: has the scorpio cut her, and is this to be understood metaphorically? Cover number two is, if I am not wrong, a bat, which is beautifully lit an set in pose. Actually it is my favorite cover. I don't know why, but the composition is somewhat magnificient and daring in a dark and haunted way. Cover number three is Gaga, once more in the nude, with a tacco (?) in her mouth, which could be a reference to a meat eating plant. I don't know, but still it is fascinating. The fourth cover is the one that is displayed on Gaga's VEVO channel. There she channels Marina again, but this time her eyes are open  and her face, including the scorpion is lit in green and purple. Either a very Warholian colour blocking or a remeniscence of the rainbow. Anyways: It looks great!

Now lets get to the song. The beginning is very dark techno club anthem like, and then adds a throbbing beat after a few seconds. Her voice jumps from high pitched singing to her dark voice saying the word "Venus". As she turns into her singing voice we get the Gaga we know, and very soon the sog jumpes into a twisty dark electronic pop song with all the classical twisted Gaga-ness to it, including some wierd, but absolutely genious sounds. The song in whole is building up all the time and is kind of unpredictable, which i actually prefer. The overall sound is dark and new, but definitely not radio unfriendly. But it is a more experimental sound then "Do What U Want" - fine with me, since the experimental Gaga is the one i am madly in love with. Lyrically the song contains a high number of references to planets, roman gods, love and sex. If "Applause" was her Botticelli piece then "Venus" is her reference to the roman goddess and all the myths around her.  But lets have a closer look at what Gaga sings:

In verse one Gaga gives us all sorts of space, renaissance and mythica refrences: "Rocket #9 take off to the planet // To the planet // Venus // Aphrodite lady seashell bikini // Garden panty // Venus //Let's blast off to a new dimension // In your bedroom //  Venus // Aphrodite lady seashell bikini // Get with me // Venus" - That gives me some feeling of her "Applause" video and VMA's performance. Remember that seashell bikini? If not, have a look to the left! Before the chorus Gaga sings: "I can’t help the way I’m feeling // Goddess of love please take me to your leader // I can’t help I keep on dancin' //Goddess of Love! // Goddess of Love" - Uhh, I am getting the naughty vibes here. Go sexy Gaga! And as the chorus hits there is no wondering what: "When you touch me I die // Just a little inside // I wonder if this could be love // This could be love // Cuz you’re out of this world // Galaxy, space and time // I wonder if this could be love" could mean.  So far we have references to Venus as a planet, the diety Venus and space travel. Verse two does not let us down, concerning the reference scale. "Have an oyster, baby // It’s Aphrod-isy // Act sleazy // Venus // Worship to the land // A girl from the planet // To the planet // Venus" - Okay we have oysters here, with the mention of them being an aphrodisiac, and somewhere on the road here I  get the feeling that this on eis going to be an erotic but hell of a lot disturbing music video! And Gaga even recounts most of the solar systes planets in the bridge, with a great reference to the fame her gorgeous ass has gotten over time. And I have to say that my "Do What U Want" Review supports that ass! 

All together the song is experimental and sounds new  in the realm of Gaga's music. So I am going to give it a great 9/10. The point missing only is due to the fact that one point the song could set its peak. But still, the eferences she makes in it, all the sexual innuendos and the double entendres make "Venus" my space age, renaissance insired sex trip to the deep universe. And what is nnot to love about that?

"Music Minute" - Do What U Want or Fuck Them Haters - A Review

So far "ARTPOP" has been a pretty good thing for Little Monsters and 2013 in musical terms. And now Lady Gaga reloads her guns of genious wierdness and freakish artness to hit us hard again with a lil promo song from "ARTPOP" called "Do What U Want" Feat. R Kelly. 

The "Born This Way" singer has made the song part of her countdown to the release of her latest pop epos on November 11th. The single cover has been released by her on Twitter and the girl has gutts... and an ass! I mean hello! Take a good hard look on this one, then go home and cry/or get horny on the sight of it, hit the gym later and come home agan and cry about your orange skin and her perfect skin. That ass is gorgeos and probably even gay men are strangely attracted to it. And the blonde wig! Hell yes! 

The only ting discussable is the thong. Im not sure yet wheter to like or dislike the pattern, but I actually don't really care because I am too much distracted by that ass. Okay im gonna go cry now that my ass is nowhere even near a state that is close to this ass-perfection. Its like that one line in her "Marry The Night" video: "Check out that nurse on the right. She has got a great ass. BAM!"- Yeah, this ass is not a BAM, this ass is a BAM BAM and you are freaking dead. So lets get to the song, before I get completely lost between that great asscheaks and all. I mean they are just too perfect and.... See, that is what I meant by "distracted"!

The songs beginning lets me think of some 80's fightclub scenery thing and just blows my mind. I mean it is actually R&B mixed with some great electronic beats. Im sold, already. When it comes to the chorus I am one happy fan. "You can have my heart, but you can't have my mind" - Man these are some good lyrics. I am kinda sure that this one is a slam against the freaking critics, since Gaga has ranted on twitter about what has been thrown in her direct way. The vocals she gives us here definitely are a reminder of the songs of Christina Aguilera when she actually knew how to make good music. Like it, since it shows that Gaga has a power voice. Then comes the part I am not that crazy about. The R. Kelly part. I mean it sounds good and all but actually I would have wished he would not be on the song. Because when he sings it, it sounds kinda very much like an R&B record we all know and kinda not that special anymore But dring his part it becomes clear that this one is a big FU to the haters. 

So far the song is very good, and lets us see another fact of ARTPOP. I kinda like it, but to be honest it is also not that much of a banger as it could have been, but still it is a solid and good, radio friendly 8/10, with the security of getting us hungry for more!

Lady Gaga - The Anti-Pop Star Queen of Pop - From VADA

Finally it has happened! My article for Vada Magazine got published and I am quite happy about it! So now I want you all to go over there ready my article and read the rest of the magazine! So hush hush! Do it!

 

And, since it is up on the Vada webside, you can see my picture here. Yes that is me, and no, there is no need to tell me that I kinda look ridiculous XD, but I like the picture! But: don't get too excited over my, obviously, striking beauty and perfection. (In reality not even freaking Photoshop could get me pretty. XD) So go ad read now!

 

"I Love Art" & "Music Minute" - The ARTPOP cover is real Pop Art

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!

The MTV VMA's - "Try too hard" meets "forgettable" and a few good moments.

Well, well there were the MTV VMAs and I have to say the motto must have been: "Try too hard!", "Awkward and ashamed!" and "Some great performances." And well it was so awkward!

Okay guys the performance of Gaga was off the hook. It was amazing since it incorporated all her previous styles. And her stage was "amaza-bells". But one critique point would be her voice. It was a little off. But still the best performance of the night. How did her wigs stay on, and has she become some sort of magician that that last wig fitted so perfectly? WTF? I guess there were like 5 people behind that huge white prop to get that wig on in 5 seconds. And her figure in that slim down bod and seashell bikini. Wooop Woop! And the best is her defending One Direction after they get booed for winning the VMA for Best Summer Song. That is classy. I mean, she just stood up and left. Oh and that pink cup she drank from? WTF? That was a swine nose. Perez Hilton bash much? Oh yes Gurrl! And her look on the red carpet? Gorgeous, except for that bow, and you can see that the lace from her wig was glued on bad. Could have been better. But basically she was the show-stealer.

Well lets come to the worst of the night. I love my post-Disney Miley, and I have pre-ordered Bangerz yesterday, but that performance of her was just bad. All the teddy bears, the outfit, and her red carpet outfit as well, her dancing and her tongue sticking out. Oh my god. Miley, there is a difference between sexy-ugly/fashionable-ugly and ugly-ugly. And yes: It is appropriate to use the word skank here. And the twerking  she gave: Well we know she likes it but she is not the twerk queen. And that half lap dance with super awkward, and not very feminist, Robin Thicke during his performance of his, silly and women degrading, song Blurred Lines really threw me off. Miley, get some glasses if the lines are blurred for you. But this time you crossed the line!

What I really loved was the pro LGBT tone the show had. With Macklemore giving his performance of Same Love I was more then satisfied. Actually it gave me chills to see it and made me proud of being a member of the LGBT IQA community. But his gestures were so damn of. And I really loved that Jennifer Hudson joined them on stage, even though she looked like Alisha Keys. 

When it comes to Katy Perry I was so disappointed. Her leo print dress: ugly. Her grillz: ugly and a joke at her expense. Her hair: the only thing not totally ridiculous. Her performance of Roar: forgettable and boring. But she sang kinda good, so I will give it a mediocre, and send it along its way. And by the way: the Brooklyn bridge thing did not do it for me, even the people there seemed bored. #SorryBoutIt, we know Kathy can do better.

This years fashion was a mixture of "Oh my god, how ugly" and very stylish, classic dresses. Best dressed would be split between Rita Ora, Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez in that marvellous atelier Versace and Ciara. Ugly as fuck definitely goes to Miley's outfit and worst dressed also goes to the Smith kids, damn: get a stylist, and I was not a fan of the way Taylor Swift's hair missed a piece to cover a bit of her forehead. But whatever. The whole award show wont be legendary, and that is a shame since it was the shows 30th anniversary!  And the other performance there uhm.. Kanye: forgettable. Were there any others? Oh yes the Justin  and NSYNC. Too much. Also the video of the year thing for him: Not so much. But he kinda still deserves it. All I had eyes fro was Lance Bass. 

Oh and yes, there were people winning awards, so lets see if my predictions that I made earlier were right: For video of the year I said Macklemore, but it went to JT. I can live with that. That Macklemore won best hip hop is so okay with me, in fact I could not be happier, but i guessed ASAP or Kendrick to take it. Best male went to Bruno Mars, I did not see that coming, but I don't care since no one really cares. Best female went to Taylor Swift. Don't like that CeeUNextTuesday. (Even though her dress was great.) Expected P!nk to win. Best Pop video went to Selena, Im okay with that, especially after that Miley performance. Artist to watch was taken by Austin Mahone. Fuck that lil Bieber 2.0, his music is shitty cheap crap. Iggy Azealia should have taken this one home! Best collaboration went to P!nk , an well this one I guessed right. And best video with a social message went, as I predicted, to Macklemore. 

"Music Minute" - Applause for the APPLAUSE VIDEO by Lady Gaga

Today has been the day that the reigning queen of pop, Lady Gaga, has released the music video for her first single off her third studio album ARTPOP. The single Applause was released early last week due to hackers and leaks, and has since been compared to Katy Perry's "Roar". But when Gaga entered Times Square in a black convertible with red leather seats to go onto Good Morning America it was clear that at this day Katy perry would play no role. 

When Gaga entered the studio she wore a stunning white dress, short brown or brunette hair and metallic high heel boots. In an interview before the music video premier she declared that the video will feature many images of her, all versions of herself. She also stated that the video was paying homage to her obsession with transforming herself. The video is a mixture of Tim Burton meets Alice in Wonderland meets Circus meets vampires and angels meets fashion and disco. Tons of outfits, flashing lights and a dance routine that seeks out for competition. An absolute complex, stunning and amazing pop music video that says one thing: art. It really is a video about obsession, rage, love, dance and art in combination with pop. A true iconographic piece that will go down in music history, at least it should! But don't believe just me, go an check out my arguments below!

*Copyright mention: I do not own any of the pictures on display here. Just used for entertainment purpose. All pictures are courtesy of Interscope Records.*

For those of you who haven't seen the video yet, and can not watch it on Youtube due to Vevo, just head over to Ampya and watch it there! So I think we should get right to it, and analyze it in every frame! Lets dive in:

I absolutely love the writing! Can not wait to see more of it. What we can see of the scenery just gives me the chills. Very central, very power oriented and absolutely Metropolis meets horror. The stage is like a circus arena curtain that opens. I love it to death!

Gaga mattress. And her body is banging! I mean seriously there hasn't been anything that hot since the last supernova! Her shoes are a high-heeled killer boot that makes my hear for fashion go pitter-patter. 

Gaga on a podium, with wings. Wait wings? Yes! Wings! And for me they look like the wings of death. She is flying over the podium and giving me further reasons to fangurrl!


Continue to read after the jump!

Academia - "Lady Gaga: The Mother Monster Identity - Deconstructing a Pop Star"

Right now I am working on an essay for the university titled: "Lady Gaga: The Mother Monster Identity - Deconstructing a Pop Star", and I have seen some amazing ARTPOP and APPLAUSE promotion done by some monsters. And I was really blown away by a video I found on twitter.

@BadKid_Earthfan and @Whisk3y_M0uth made a video where the talked to strangers about APPLAUSE and ARTPOP and also had the brilliant idea to relabel soup cans ins supermarket as APPLAUSE CAMPBELL. Check it out below! I will definitely use that as an example in my essay. So just wait for the 27th of august for my essay and follow them on twitter. And don't forget to watch their video! 

"Music Minute" - What unites "Tinker Bell" and Lady Gaga? - Lets have a look!

We all know the story of Disney's "Peter Pan". And we all know that Captain Hook is a pretty much a fucked up character, Peter Pan is crazy (Because I don't want to bee a teenager forever. I mean: you can't decide for yourself!) and that Tinker Bell is much more a symbol than such a sweet sweet little thing...

Picture from Lady Gaga's Twitter account.

Because Tinker Bell is a symbol for the power of believe and an innocent, or sometimes naive, nature. Thing is that his cute little fairy just can survive if she is believed in. When people stop believing in her, in magic and in possibilities she fades away. See the relation to an artist? An artist, might it be an art artist, a musician, a performer or whatever just exists when he or she is known. An artist thereby can be related to a stage character, and basically displays the question of wether something is there if we do not see it.

So where we can match Lady Gaga and Tinker Belle is that question: And we can answer it with her stellar performance in her tour DVD: "Lady Gaga presents: The Monster Ball Tour from Madison Square Garden". In there Gaga basically says: "You know, I am kind of like Tinker Bell, You know Tinker Bell? You know how she dies if you don't clap for her. Do you want me to die? Scream for me!"(By the way, check out the  video of Gaga saying that below!) I think we got our hint, don't we? An artist just can exist if her or she is believed in. And what better way to be believed in then by screaming, clapping and applauding fans? 

Get the second clue? Applauding fans? Lady Gaga releasing Applause?  I mean her latest single basically is the prove that Gaga knows about the rendering of all that. Smart one, isn't she? She sings: "I live for the Applause! Live for the way that you cheer and scream for me." Yes, she does live for the applause. But the applause needs her as well. She needs the applause to be cherished and exist, and the applause needs her, or better said the fans need her to cheer on someone. Uhlala!

And you know what? Tinker Bell does not only serve as a symbol, but also for a reminder for us. A reminder that the concept of pulp, of low brow culture as high art culture, of pop art as important and valuable. And we are ensured as well through the lyrics of "Applause": "One second I am a Koons fan, suddenly the Koons is me. Pop culture was in art, now art is in  pop culture, is in me." What is described by that? Well that pop culture is art art is pop culture and the exchange of both in Lady Gaga is ARTPOP. What a great reminder that popular culture is more then what meets the eye. And well.. isn't that a reminder of camp? Basically Gaga ironizes, and parodies the innocent notion of Disney and reminds us of the nature of the artist: constructed by attention. 

And Gurrl! Gaga is feeding the pop machinery! We got the video coming up on monday, the V-Magazine September issue with 4 covers and different photo stories, the album coming up, a short video "Lady Gaga is  over!" (Which I will talk about, when I give you the full range on Marina Abramovic.) and a VMA performance. I guess the "Applause" singer probably will be pretty much existent with all this cheering, screaming and applause. Tinker Bell will live on, for sure!