Lady Gaga released her highly anticipated new album Joanne today, and we’ve got a breakdown of all the awesomeness. Listen now!
Lady Gaga’s latest album is raw and beautiful. You’re going to hear the term “stripped down” quite a bit, and that’s because it is. Largely inspired by being tough, moving through life with conviction, and learning to deal with heartache and sadness in a constructive way, Gaga pulled inspiration from a number of things: the Trayvon Martin shooting, her aunt Joanne’s death, and personal events such as her decision to breakup with longtime boyfriend and fiance Taylor Kinney.
In a recent EW interview, she spoke about all of these factors and about her Super Bowl halftime show, which was cemented, she says, after NFL officials listened to Joanne. In the interview she said, “What was so great was the NFL heard the record before it came out. They gave me that slot, really, off my album.”
As far as what to expect from her halftime show performance, Gaga said:
"“…I just always want the show to be great. I think that these songs could reach a lot of people and bring other sons and fathers together. That was also my intention in a way, because this album brought me and my father closer together. It healed a lot of things between us.”"
So what about the album? Well, I’ve listened to the whole thing, and have some thoughts. In one word: impeccable. Read on to get more than one word.
“Diamond Heart”
"I’m not flawless, but I gotta diamond heart"
“Diamond Heart” is a pseudo-rock pop song with deep reaching emotions and lyrics that almost seem invasive. If Gaga wanted to show us a piece of her soul, she sure did it with this one.
“A-YO”
"Get off on me, my body’s got you pleadin’Light me up and breathe inMirror on the ceilin’"
“Diamond Heart” was a little rock ‘n’ roll and “A-YO” is a little country and I don’t hate it. It’s a great new party anthem with funk themes that pop music desperately needs more of.
“Joanne”
"If you couldI know that you’d stayWe both knowThings don’t work that wayI promised IWouldn’t say goodbyeSo I grinAnd my voice gets thin"
Joanne’s title track is a love song and tribute to Gaga’s late aunt Joanne who died at the age of 19 from Lupus. Gaga’s voice is raw and stripped down, the music is folky and nostalgic. Prepare the tissues if you’re sensitive like me. You may shed a tear or two. “Joanne” will probably end up being my favorite track from the entire album.
“John Wayne”
"Charged up, ’cause the man’s on a mission1-2 ya, the gears are shiftin’He called, I cried, we brokeRacin’ through the moonlight"
You’d think “John Wayne” would have some of the same country strains like “A-YO” but in fact, it’s more rock than country, and is a dance tune, for sure. Gaga’s phrasing is particularly interesting, so keep an ear out for that.
“Dancin’ In Circles”
"In the fire I call your name outUp full night tryin’ to rub the pain out"
“Dancin’ in Circles” is potentially Joanne’s weakest track. It’s got a pretty cool latin beat that still makes it a fun dance tune, but there seems to be something missing. Gaga’s lyrics, too, are weak and generically poppy.
“Perfect Illusion”
"I don’t need eyes to seeI felt you touchin’ meHigh like amphetamineMaybe you’re just a dream"
“Perfect Illusion” is the first single from Joanne and is an epic anthem about realizing your love wasn’t really love after all. Instead of lamenting the loss, though, Gaga allows herself to get swept up in the illusion and enjoy it while she can.
“Million Reasons”
"I’ve got a hundred million reasons to walk awayBut baby, I just need one good one to stay"
“Million Reasons” is a ballad that perhaps speaks about the time in her life where she questioned her place in the music industry. Or perhaps it’s about the breakup with Taylor Kinney. Either way, it’s a heartfelt pop ballad. The only downfall is the repetitive nature of the lyrics, which is a symptom of pop music these days (re: Taylor Swift).
“Sinner’s Prayer”
"I came down the mountainDraggin’ our love affairPut on a pretty little numberI’m wearing you stillIt was a hell of a scene at daddy’s feastNobody saw it coming, but the little red devil in meHe has a funny way saying forever too fastDon’t get mad, can’t blame a trampFor something he don’t haveI get on my knees and beg you"
If “Million Reasons” wasn’t about Taylor Kinney, “Sinner’s Prayer” definitely is. Or, fans will believe it is. I mean, just look at that first verse! Damn, girl. Forgive yourself. Sidenote: I LOVE the old western sound.
“Come To Mama”
"Dude in a lab coat and a man of God(Come onto mama, come on, mama)Fought over prisms and a forty-day flood(Come onto mama, come on, mama)Well, I say rainbows did more than they’ve ever doneSo why do we gotta fight over ideas?We’re talkin’ the same old shit after all of these years"
“Come To Mama” could very well be the defining anthem of our nation during such tumultuous times- what with the political clown showdown going on, violence on the streets, and corruption at every corner. “Come To Mama” is a reminder that we need to love each other, no matter what. It also has a super groovy big band, fifties vibe.
“Hey Girl” feat. Florence Welch
"Hey girl, hey girlWe can make it easy if we lift each otherHey girl, hey girlWe don’t need to keep on one-in’ up anotherHey girl, hey girlHey girl, hey girlIf you lose your wayJust know that I got youJust know that I got you"
Let’s dive a little deeper here. “Hey Girl” is all about women lifting each other up, instead of putting each other down. Life is hard, there is a lot of pressure, but we don’t have to hate. We can live in peace, if we just realize that we’re all on the same team. Florence and Gaga’s voices mix in a way that’s pure magic.
“Angel Down”
"Shots were fired on the streetBy the church where we used to meetAngel down, angel downWhy do people just stand around?I’m a believer, it’s a trialFoolish and weaker, oh, oh, ohI’d rather save an angel downI’m a believer, it’s chaosWhere are our leaders? Oh, oh, ohI’d rather save an angel down"
Lady Gaga said in an EW interview that “Angel Down” is about the death of Trayvon Martin. The sound is almost churchy, like a hymn. It’s appropriate, too, for the people it stands for and for the people it’s comforting now. And perhaps the most powerful moment in the song is the very last moment, when the song cuts off abruptly, like those whose lives are taken unjustly.
“Grigio Girls” (Deluxe Track)
"All the Pinot, Pinot Grigio girlsPour your heart outWatch your blues turn goldAll the Pinot, Pinot Grigio girlsKeep it real cold‘Cause it’s a fired up world"
An anthem to the girls that help keep us sane and to the girls we’ve lost and those we’ll meet.
“Just Another Day”
"And think of different ways to keep my spirits upAnd choreograph hours with playful, joyous thoughtsWe both know I could learn a thing or twoAbout relaxing, hey, I love youAnd after all, it’s just another day"
This one’s a jazzy poppy ditty that would make a great New Year’s Eve song, or maybe even a Christmas With Friends party song. Be strong. Let go of what you can’t control, and be yourself.
Next: Tunes for Tuesday: Lady Gaga “A-YO”
Joanne is available everywhere today.