“Chromatica” is here. Delayed because of COVID-19, the sixth studio album from artist Lady Gaga was released on May 29.
The new era of Gaga started on February 28 with the release of lead single “Stupid Love.”
Originally, the album was slated for an early April release. Due to COVID-19, Gaga decided to delay the release to focus on her relief efforts.
Gaga curated the “One World: Together At Home” global broadcast that raised $128 million to support health care workers fighting COVID-19.
After an unveiling of the album artwork and promotional merchandise, Gaga released the second single ”Rain on Me” on May 22. The track is a duet with singer Ariana Grande.
“Rain on Me” is the 2020 dance version of Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer’s 1979 duet “No More Tears (Enough is Enough).”
When listening to the album, it becomes clear that camp and excess were the name of the game for Gaga when creating “Chromatica.”
The album begins with “Chromatica I” an instrumental interlude. It showcases Gaga’s classical music roots and leads right into the second track, “Alice.”
“Alice” tells the story of someone looking for Wonderland. The simple lyrics of the chorus, “My name isn’t Alice/ But I’ll keep looking, I’ll keep looking for Wonderland,” drive home the idea of the song clearly.
The next song, “Stupid Love,” debut at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 after its release in February.
Following, is “Rain on Me,” which showcases the immense talent of both Gaga and Grande. It also shows Gaga’s roots in club music.
The fifth and sixth tracks, “Free Woman” and “Fun Tonight,” respectively, tell the story of a woman who has grown from challenges and is ready to step out and live. In “Fun Tonight” Gaga gets campier by self-referencing tracks from “The Fame,” her first album.“You love the paparazzi, love the fame/ Even though you know it causes me pain.”
Next, is the second interlude “Chromatica II.” It leads right into the epic techno song “911.” This is one of the best tacks on the album especially with the interlude transition that builds the tension into the beat drop that starts “911.”
“Plastic Doll” follows and tells a story of not allowing oneself to be a toy for someone to play with. “Don’t play with me/ It just hurts me/ I’m bouncin’ off the walls/ No, no, no, I’m not your plastic doll.”
The ninth track is “Sour Candy” with Blackpink. This was released one day prior to the album release as a promotional single. The house beat serves as an excellent base for the fun lyrics.
Tracks 10 and 11, “Enigma” and “Replay,” respectively, are highlights of the album. “Replay” is the most self-referential in both music and lyrics. The lyrics, “The monster inside you is torturing me/ The scars on my mind are on replay, r-replay, eh-eh,” reference songs from the 2009 song “Monster.” It also features music callbacks from the 2013 song “Donatella.”
“Chromatica III” comes next and it transitions into “Sine from Above” with Elton John. This track is amazing and is the first studio collaboration with Elton John and Lady Gaga. The two have a close relationship with Gaga serving as godmother to John’s children.
“1000 Doves” is one of the most personal songs on the album. With lyrics like “I’ve been hurting, stuck inside a cage,” and “I am human, invisibly bleeding,” Gaga bares her personal struggles.
The final song “Babylon” is perhaps the best. A vogue, house, dance track, “Babylon” features a strong beat that forces the listener to dance, or at the very least tap their foot. The song appears to harens to “Vogue” by Madonna as well as “Supermodel (You Better Work)” by RuPaul.
Babylon stands out from these references, however, and creates a 2020 dance masterwork that is the perfect conclusion to the album.