Lady Gaga’s "ArtPop" treats us to the Mother Monster again expanding her massive cast of co-stars with artists like R. Kelly lending his talents on the album’s standout, "Do What U Want."
Gaga has worked with rappers in the past, but "ArtPop" is the first time she's played on their turf. While Kells is a legend in his own right, his appearance on the album only whets my appetite for a guest feature by the only artist who rivals Gaga’s hubris: Kanye West.
While a 2009 co-headlined tour was aborted after Kanye bum-rushed Taylor Swift, Gaga and Ye have long been spiritual siblings of avant-garde accumulation. While nothing on "ArtPop" ever approaches the bile on "Yeezus," "Jewels N’ Drugs" is a decent crack at Gaga trying trap rap.
Even the "Yeezus" tour mirrors the aesthetics of Gaga’s "Monster’s Ball." Both Kanye and Gaga wear ridiculous costumes. But here's where Gaga succeeds: she’s mastered the art of elevating herself to cult leader while never offending her fans.
Little Monsters will eat up "Sexxx Dreams," for example.
"ArtPop" doesn’t quite match the musical progression of "Born This Way." The album has a lot of fat at the end with "Swine" and "Donatella." But it recovers with "Dope."
Gaga’s biggest achievement thus far is that, as bizarre as she is, America hasn't tired of her. She’s been able to juggle new sounds and talents while staying true to her weirdness. Now give us a Gaga/Kanye song.