The Fame by Lady Gaga

Dance music has always received a needlessly bad rep as a genre with nothing to say. Whilst a narcissistic approach is quick to alienate many, in a world obsessed with celebrity, beauty and sex, Dance makes as relevant a statement as any, even if it is one we don’t wish to hear. From the infectious opener ‘Just Dance’ to the subtle beauty of ‘Papparazzi’, Lady Gaga’s aptly named debut provides a revealing look into our self obsessed generation, yet it remains an album that’s more style than substance.

Not drifting too far from convention, every song has the synthesiser melodies, raunchy lyrics and programmed beats you’d expect, yet the integration of pop influences taints even the most promising tracks. Gaga cut her teeth as a songwriter for the Pussycat Dolls, and on tracks such as ‘Summerboy’ and ‘Boys Boys Boys’ she makes this far too apparent. Just as you feel the New York fashionista has crafted a powerful piece, it soon takes a nosedive into dull, sunny-eyed pop choruses.

However, whilst The Fame has by no means lived up to its hype, or the claims of its maker, it isn’t without it’s charm. The lyrics can be weak, the melodies are often uninspired, but it remains a bold and brash debut, that flaunts plenty of promise for a second instalment.