HomeARTSLady Gaga’s “Perfect Illusion” Takes The Pop World By...

Lady Gaga’s “Perfect Illusion” Takes The Pop World By Storm

By AARON KREIN
Arts Editor

After taking a three-year hiatus, pop songstress Lady Gaga is finally making her comeback to pop music. Around 11:40 last Thursday night, the lead single to her upcoming yet-to-be-titled fourth studio album, “Perfect Illusion,” was released on iHeartRadio streaming and online retailers. By midnight, the track claimed the top spot on the iTunes songs chart where it still sits at the time of this publication.
Mother Monster, a nickname conferred by her following, has done several side projects that have gained momentum for the next era fans have titled “LG5.” In late 2014, she released the chart-topping jazz duets album, “Cheek to Cheek,” with Tony Bennett that also spurred a summer tour. The album garnered Gaga her sixth Grammy Award, making her the first to win for Pop, Dance/Electronic, and Traditional Pop Album. The following fall, she had a Golden Globe-winning lead on FX’s “American Horror Story: Hotel,” her television debut.
She was also honored as Woman of the Year at Billboard’s Women in Music Luncheon that December. This year, she performed on the Grammys, the Super Bowl and the Academy Awards, becoming the first person in history to do all three in one year. With the Oscars, she was also nominated for Best Original Song along with veteran songwriter Diane Warren for “Till It Happens to You” from the campus rape documentary “The Hunting Ground.”
Gaga first teased the single three weeks ago with a series of posts on Instagram, which led her website to later read: “Lady Gaga Perfect Illusion New Single September.” Photos showing Gaga working with producers Mark Ronson, Bloodpop and Kevin Parker of Tame Impala later surfaced. Ronson, in particular, has made strides with his work for Bruno Mars, A$AP Rocky, Adele, and the late Amy Winehouse.
Bloodpop is no stranger for jumpstarting comebacks. Just last year, he co-wrote five tracks for Justin Bieber’s long-awaited album, “Purpose,” including the number-one hit “Sorry.” All three producers are expected to be linked to further tracks on the upcoming album.
At first listen, the opening electric guitar strums remind me of Rihanna’s 2009 single, “Russian Roulette” from the “Rated R” album. The guitar riffs and production of the song screams ‘80s rock ballad, a small detour from the ‘80s pop-inspired Artpop era. Lyrically, the song finds Gaga caught in the revelation of the flaws of her former love. Mother Monster strikes the relationship saying “I still feel the blow,” and “I’m over the show.” However, throughout the track, lines like “I want you alone” and “where are you” clarify that she still has an attraction to her ex. These mixed emotions show that the track is dedicated to being in the limbo of a relationship. The opening lines, “tryin’ to get control, pressure’s takin’ its toll, stuck in the middle zone,” can support these ideas.
Many fans find the song’s theme interesting considering she ended her engagement with “Chicago Fire” actor Taylor Kinney last July. However, with the proof of Mark Ronson’s Instagram post during the song’s recording from last May, its been disproven that the track has a direct connection to the break-up.
As a whole, I think it’s one of her best singles in terms of highlighting her vocal ability. The Artpop era included massive production and auto-tune, which makes this natural-sounding vocal flow refreshing. It is reminiscent of the dark pop-rock scape that 2011’s “Born This Way” deep cuts had visited.
However, unlike many of the tracks from that album, this track has mainstream radio appeal. With a repetitive chorus and irresistible chant-like rhythm, the song will easily be stuck in your head days after a first listen. Each time the chorus is repeated after the first, the pitch is elevated higher and higher. This method is similar to Beyoncé’s 2011 single, “Love on Top.” The background layering of Gaga’s vocals compliments the euphotic feel of the track as well. I could totally see remixes of this song being popular on the club scene.
With this release, the LG5 era has officially begun on a high note. The album is expected to be released this fall, with the inclusion of a duet with Florence and the Machine front woman Florence Welch. In the company of Bruno Mars, Sia, and possibly Katy Perry, the fourth quarter of mainstream music appears to be something to surely anticipate.

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