Quickie: Lady Gaga’s ‘Chromatica’
Lady Gaga is an artist that needs no introduction, as she’s had many top-charting singles throughout her career. While I don’t enjoy everything she puts out, I do like songs like “Paparazzi” and “Bad Romance.” Gaga’s strengths lie in crafting anthemic dance-pop melodies that receive a ton of radio play.
Gaga’s recent country-rock phase with Joanne in 2016 and her latest movie, A Star is Born with Bradley Cooper, didn’t catch my attention. But, I was interested to see what Chromatica had to offer. I thought “Stupid Love,” the lead single for Chromatica, was a catchy and energetic dance-pop anthem that saw her returning to her roots. It was a decent track, although the chorus was a tad annoying with its pitched-up female sampling.
The album started strong with “Alice.” I immediately noticed the euro-dance influence as pulsating synths and a throbbing beat drive the main rhythm. Gaga’s vocals are on point here, as her high register singing accompanies the driving groove so well.
While I did appreciate the homage to ’90s euro-dance, it quickly loses its novelty around “Rain on Me.” Gaga uses basic euro-dance beats throughout the album, which sounds like they are taken directly from songs from that era. Everything starts to blend at some point, and it’s all trite.
There are even times where I think Gaga gives up or stops trying. “Free Woman” ends abruptly, Gaga lazily sings through parts on “Fun Tonight,” and she butchers the chorus on “Sine From Above.” I also struggle to find the purpose of the orchestral interludes throughout the record. Sure, they sound pretty in the moment, but what else do they offer?
“Replay” is a fun track that burrows its catchy hook in your brain. Still, that song uses repetitive lyrics that I would otherwise find annoying if I didn’t like it.
While I found little value in Chromatica, I’m sure Gaga fans will eat this record up. She shines when she embraces catchy, dance-pop ballads, but fails to reinvigorate her career with new (or I should say old) ideas.