The beauty of Lady Gaga is the fact that she dances within genres in a way that is quickly making her an iconic musician. Her latest album Joanne was released on October 21st and I’ve replayed it ten times since then.
Lady Gaga has always been generous with her fans; she is often an open book and Joanne is no exception. The album shows Gaga at her most vulnerable and with the album being vocally driven, the emotional journey is what carries the album. If you’re curious as to what to expect from the album, I would say; expect the unexpected.
Joanne opens up with “Diamond Heart”;
I might not be flawless
but I got a Diamond Heart
The song immediately reveals that we’re about to get a more stripped down-acoustic version of Lady Gaga. If you’re here for the “Paparazzi” and the “Just Dance” you might find yourself disappointed. The closest thing we get to a pop dance track is “A-Yo” and maybe even “Dancin’ in Circles”; though both are great solo-dance-party songs they’re not necessarily “pop hits”. However, the fact that the dance tracks are missing from the album does not take away from the beauty of Joanne.
Emotional is the common theme in Joanne. Whether it be with the title track, “Joanne” or with “Million Reasons”, “John Wayne” or “Come to Mama”; the songs seem to tell stories that Lady Gaga was dying to tell. In “John Wayne” she sings:
So here I go
To the eye
Of the storm
Just to feel your love
Knock me over
Here I go
Into our love storm
If you follow me in any form of social media, I’m sure you’re aware that my love for GIRL POWER is very real and this album is full of it. “Grigio Girls” hit me directly in the heart, Lady Gaga’s vocals are their strongest in this song. Not only did her voice fill my heart with joy but the message within the song needs to be shared with young girls everywhere. When describing the song Lady Gaga stated, “The song is about womanhood and sticking together and encouraging one another and teaching each other that it’s ok to cry together and need one another, and that we can’t do it alone.”
All the Pinot, Pinot Grigio girls
Pour your heart out
Watch your blues turn gold
All the Pinot, Pinot Grigio girls
Keep it real cold
‘Cause it’s a fired up world
For this album Lady Gaga collaborated with Florence Welch and the result is a Girl Anthem that needs to be heard around the world. Not only do their voices blend beautifully together but they also share a sentiment that is absolutely needed.
Hey girl, hey girl
We can make it easy if we lift each other
Hey girl, hey girl
We don’t need to keep on one-in’ up another
Hey girl, hey girl
Hey girl, hey girl
If you lose your way
Just know that I got you
Just know that I got you
Final thoughts: Yes, this album is a pretty big departure from anything Lady Gaga has done previously and yet her star will continue to shine with this album. The rock and country influence is heavy and she plays in between genres beautifully. Her vocal range is so often forgotten and I’m glad that she leads with it in Joanne. I’m 10 replays in and I’m still finding new songs, lyrics and high notes that I fall in love with.
Have you listened to the album yet? What are your thoughts?
