My pop world would never be complete without a new dose of the phenomenon that is Lady Gaga. Just six short months after the release of her record-breaking second studio album, the artist is repackaging the project with alternate versions of the now-famous tracks as Born This Way: The Remix. High profiled DJs and talents get the chance to put their own taste and spin on Mother Monster’s pop gold. While not every song that was featured on the album gets a new update, what is present on the album is mainly for the die-hard Gaga fanatics that will be happy to get something fresh. Some tracks compete with the original, while some fall flat and may disappoint Gaga and her loyal fans. Let’s hope no claws come out in anger.
Gaga’s second remix album kicks off with a Zedd remix of the title track. The German producer keeps the body of the song, he just extends it into a six minute, bass-pounding, dance mix that I think I have heard in the club already. I like how the producer decided to keep Gaga’s vocals as the focus point, even made them clearer. At time the song did get annoying, but overall I think it is a great remix of a record-breaking track. English electronic duo, Goldfrapp, take over creative control for one of the two featured remixes of the album’s second single, “Judas”. The beat and production are slowed down greatly while deep, manly vocals replace the energetic ones of Gaga. Most remixes contain some sort of ode to original, most keep it practically the same, but I may consider this track a cover and not a remix at all. It is haunting and surprisingly entertaining. Foster the People may have found success with their hit debut single, “Pumped Up Kicks”, but I will go out and say this one hit wonder of a group butchered the beautiful Gaga track that is “The Edge of Glory”. Creativity and originality are always welcomed in my book, however; this remix completely ignores the somber feeling of the track. I love dance club remixes, but this fails even at that. It is too chaotic, long, and uninteresting. The album’s fourth single, “You and I” is not safe from the remixes either, having indie rock band, Wild Beasts, take a shot at create something new with the country/rock inspired top ten hit. The original composition of the track was a slow, ballad-like song, and here the tempo gets turned down even more. The vocals sound so distant, leaving somewhat of an echo which is actually quite relaxing. Nothing amazing, but a job well done. Current single, “Marry the Night”, gets a bit of hip-hop flavor thanks to the help of The Weekend and Illangelo. The fast-paced tempo has vanished and replaced with Gaga just breezing through the lyrics like it was nothing difficult. While this version does not win me over as fast as the original, it does hold some bright moments such as the stripped down middle that really allows Gaga and her to voice to shine even more. Featured only on the special editions of Born This Way, “Black Jesus + Amen Fashion” was Gaga’s Madonna moment if critics wanted to really compare the two. The original sounded as if two separate tracks got smashed together, the results met my expectations. Michael Woods, a UK producer, gives the song a faster background beat, but that is pretty much it. At over six minutes, if I wanted to listen to Gaga repeat herself over and over I would listen, but I’ll pass. My favorite track off the album, “Bloody Mary”, is given to English punk band, The Horrors. The meaning behind the song is what won me over in the first place, but here the religious undertones and metaphors are ignored. The meat may be gone, but there is still a dark presence lingering and this remix which I like. Not much lyrics present, I will let that slide since the original is that amazing.
The second half of the remix album starts off with a spin on Gaga’s German-influenced “ScheiBe”. The song is one of my favorite from the album, I hope it is a future single, and this new mix just adds to the power. The main points stay intact while a new, catchy beat is provided. I feel that the track is reborn and it may just be the best thing off the entire project. It is fun, innovative and gives Mother Monster some credit. “Americano” seemed to be a spiritual sequel to previously released single, “Alejandro”, and I really enjoyed hearing my idol throw out some lyrics in Spanish- it is part of my culture. The remix featured on the new album is one ready for the clubs, it will get anyone dancing and banging their head. I am familiar with party/dance mixes of Gaga’s songs, but there is something different and unique about this one here. The album continues with a new take on “Electric Chapel” from indie Ireland rock band, Two Door Cinema Club, a band I was not very fond of prior to this piece of work. The song now contains a faster, electro/pop-rock vibe that replaces the original dark, gothic tone, both of them work nicely. Again, the creators where able to make the track their own while still leaving Gaga’s essence present. Another remix of Gaga’s “You and I” follows thanks to British band Metronomy who just turn the sad ballad of losing the one in your life into a state of depression. You are able to feel pain and I was taken aback by how amazing this track truly was. Is it the better remixed version featured on the album? Probably so. The band was able to squeeze every bit of angst from the artist, simply brilliant. After Goldfrapp’s average interpretation of Gaga’s most underrated single, British synth-pop duo, Hurts, take a stab at reinventing “Judas”. This version blows the former out of the atmosphere and takes the crown as the better successor. Hurts sticks with Gaga’s hard-pounding, unique sound and tweaks some aspects to create something worth hearing. The Spanish guitar outro is a nice surprise and actually works for a track that did not become the hit it deserved to be. DJ Twin Shadow’s version of the title track was previously released on a full single remix EP, but that does not take away from its greatness. Gaga’s song of acceptance gets a hard-rock touch up and still comes off as wonderful as before. The vocals are not altered, the message still comes across loud and clear, it is just a different way of appealing to a new kind of music lover. The project closes out with another remix of “The Edge of Glory”. Sultan and Ned Shepard, honestly I do not know who either are, have turned the somber song into a rock-infused, fast paced, track that does a better job than what Foster the People created. At times it even seems as if the duo sampled a particular rock instrumental, but I just cannot put my finger on what it is. Good, but I will stick with the original.
Born This Way: The Remix is an album that was not necessary, it is not for those new to the power of Gaga, but fans will surely fall in love with it. Some unknown, but relevant and worthy talents are given the chance to make Lady Gaga proud. While some fail miserably and bring a halt to the album’s true potential, some actually bring a fresh approach to some of my favorite songs from the original album. I have never been a huge fan of remixes, unless I am dancing my life away on the dance floor, but there are some pleasant moments featured here and as a whole it is average; Gaga is not to blame though. The artist’s second remix album receives an 82%.
Tracks to Hear: “ScheiBe (Guena LG Club Remix)”, “Electric Chapel (Two Door Cinema Club Remix)”, “You and I (Metronomy Remix), and “Judas (Hurts Remix)”
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