FANS have been waiting four years to get their hands on Lady Gaga’s sixth studio album and I can confirm it’s been well worth it.
I got a first listen to the 16-track pop banger, which is easily going to be the record of 2020.
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Lady Gaga has finally released her highly anticipated sixth album Chromatica
Chromatica, the follow-up to the US singer’s 2016 release Joanne, sees Gaga pouring her heart out — and includes hints to her split from fiancé Christian Carino, in February 2019 after two years together.
In dance anthem track Fun Tonight she hints at tensions in the relationship saying she is feeling “like I’m in a prison hell” and tells her lover “maybe it’s time for us to say goodbye, I’m not having fun tonight”.
Gaga has since moved on to Michael Polsanky after the pair met late last year but she has also penned lyrics about letting loose in single life, including enjoying a one-night-stand before falling for the tech CEO.
In Enigma she sings: “We could be lovers, even just tonight. We could be anything you want.”
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The singer split from fiancé Christian Carino, in February 2019 after two years togetherCredit: Getty – Contributor
Gaga, in a stitched-up, skin-tight dress to promote the album, also tackles empowerment and not needing a man in Free Woman and will delight fans with Sour Candy, her collaboration with K-Pop band BLACKPINK.
The raunchy track has her singing: “I might be messed up, but I know what’s up. You want a real taste, at least I’m not a fake. Come unwrap me. I’ll show you what’s me, now I’m undressing. Unwrap sour candy.”
There are more serious notes in the record, with Gaga using 911 to sing about her battle with anxiety and using anti-psychotics.
Lyrics include: “Keep repeating self-hating phrases . . . My biggest enemy is me.”
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Gaga’s latest tune Rain On Me features pop princess Ariana Grande
While this record, which also features collaborations with Sir Elton John and Ariana Grande, below, has been hit by a number of setbacks, including a delayed release date because of coronavirus and high-profile leaks, nothing beats listening to the record track by track.
So get into your garden, pour yourself a glass of something cold and turn Chromatica up very loud.
Trust me, it’ll do you the world of good.
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The queen of pop called boyfriend Michael Polsanky ‘the love of her life’ just months after they started datingCredit: Instagram
Chromatica Review
By Howell Davies
THERE’s a tendency in this industry to throw female pop stars on the scrapheap after a few years, declaring them past it or not as exciting as the newbies bursting through.
But 12 years after her debut single, Lady Gaga is proving there’s still a place for pop in 2020 and she’s leading the way with fluorescent pink hair and electronic anthems to boot.
While the lyrics document heartbreak and hardship, sonically Chromatica is fizzing with optimism following her more downbeat 2016 album Joanne.
She had already released two of the best songs of 2020 so far with Stupid Love and Rain On Me, featuring Ariana Grande, but there are plenty of other standout moments, including Enigma, 911, Replay and Babylon, which sounds like a modern tribute to Madonna’s Vogue.
A couple of tracks, including Plastic Doll, fall slightly flat, but this is a triumphant comeback and her best album since 2011’s Born This Way.
With Chromatica, Gaga will be soundtracking dancefloors for years to come.