Manhattan Clique, Passion Pit, Pet Shop Boys and Starsmith, just to name a few, are remixing her songs which have been nominated for six Grammy Awards – of which she grabbed the Best Electronic/Dance Album for The Fame and Best Dance Recording for Poker Face.
The quintessential queen of quirks and sexy smirks has unleashed a mix of disco pop and trance with remixes of songs from her albums, The Fame and The Fame Monster, into 17 solid tracks in The Remix (thankfully, with both of her legs still intact).
The Remix, released 10 May, is appropriately Gagalicious. In an ear-gasmic departure from her original material, the new spins featured in the album give her songs a rougher, edgier feel. Even though the remixes offer a different feel, Lady Gaga’s persona can still be heard.
Renowned for celebrating her eccentric originality (be it in music or fashion), this singer-songwriter reminds us why we love her songs so much.
A glance at the track list might cause you to do a double take because some of the tracks have appeared twice. You don’t need your eyes checked, this is only because different artistes have remixed the same tracks – which just goes to show how ‘malleable’ her songs are because they can be reworked so many times. Not too surprising, as even Lady Gaga constantly pushes herself to twist her songs into newer mash-ups for her live performances; she was a guest performer on the American Idol results show on May 5, where she did an acoustic cover of “Bad Romance” before kicking it to second gear for an electrifying performance of “Alejandro”.
If you’re itching for more electronic tunes from The Remix, there are tracks that totally make Lady Gaga sound like a techno-goddess. Stuart Price’s remix of “Paparazzi” synthesises the former the original beats with electric drums and percussion, while “Eh Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)” takes on a faster tempo by Frankmuzik. You could also give a listen to the trance version of “Boys Boys Boys” by Manhattan Clique; it’s very “glamophonic, electronic, d-d-disco, baby”, as Lady Gaga would say so herself.
Juxtaposed with the fast tracks is surprisingly placid rendition of “LoveGame” by Robots To Mars. This one stretches the originally fast-tempo number into a sedated song that is strangely addictive because it’s so refreshing to hear a softer side of Lady Gaga.
Acoustic music lovers are likely to especially love the live performance of “Pokerface”, featuring the artist’s vocals stripped bare of all musical enhancements. You’ll finally be able to appreciate her voice, au naturel. (That’s if you haven’t already checked out her live performances on Youtube).
As expected out of every newly released album, there’ll always be the misses alongside the hits. Passion Pit relinquished our expectations with the addition of the remotely unsettling and irritating chipmunk voices in “Bad Romance”.
Then there’s the oddball mix of a bhangra-rised version of “Just Dance” by Deewaan, featuring Ash King, Wedis, Lush and Young Thoro. It may be rather bizarre to listen to this Indian fusion which seems to have crossed the seas from Bollywood, but it redeems itself with the cute rap in the bridge of the song. It’s akin to the Pussycat Dolls’ Jai Ho. You’ll either love it or hate it. Either way, this made-for-Bollywood number’s still addictive.
To keep in touch with her fans and fellow musicians, Lady Gaga constantly updates her Twitter account. Her Majesty tweets, “So like a pop conquistador, i imagine my future return, with many wenches and music. So until then i wish you all the love in the universe.”
Yes Lady Gaga, we want your love and we want your revenge.
The UrbanWire gives Lady Gaga The Remix 4/5 stars.
Title: Lady Gaga The Remix
Artist: Lady Gaga featuring Beyoncé, Remix and additional production by Alphabeat
Language: English
Record Label: Interscope Records
Release Date: 10 May 2010
Track list:
1) Just Dance – Richard Vission remix
2) Pokerface – LLG vs GLG Radio Mix remix
3) LoveGame – Chew Fu Ghettohouse Fix feat. Marilyn Manson
4) Eh Eh – Frankmuzik remix
5) Paparazzi – Stuart Price remix
6) Boys Boys Boys – Manhattan Clique remix
7) The Fame – Glam As You Remix
8) Bad Romance – Starsmith remix
9) Telephone feat. Beyoncé – Passion Pit remix
10) Alejandro – Sound Of Arrows remix
11) Dance In The Dark – Monarchy ‘Stylites’ remix
12) Just Dance – Deewaan Remix
13) LoveGame – Robots To Mars remix
14) Eh Eh – Pet Shop Boys remix
15) Pokerface – Live From The Cherrytree House
16) Bad Romance – Grum remix
17) Telephone feat. Beyoncé – Alphabeat remix