Lady Gaga is one of the most iconic and groundbreaking artists of this decade. She embodies a strangely unique and beautiful style that inspires all ages. Gaga gained her stardom in 2008 with the release of her first studio album, The Fame, and she has been a prominent figure in the music industry ever since. Gaga has not produced a solo studio album since Artpop, released in November 2013, but on October 21, Lady Gaga dropped her fourth studio album, Joanne.

Joanne was produced and named in honor of Gaga’s aunt who passed away at the young age of 19. Her latest album is her best since the legendary Born This Way soundtrack. It is stripped down, gritty, restrained, and organic–words that would not typically be associated with Gaga’s musical style. The album as a whole gives off a nineties soft-rock, glamorous cowgirl stuck in the hippie era vibe. “John Wayne” and “Grigio Girls” are similar to Shania Twain songs in that they are showy, edgy, and flirtatious.

On a different note, the listeners are exposed to Gaga’s vulnerable and heartfelt feelings in acoustic ballads such as “Million Reasons,” “Angel Down,” and “Joanne.” In these songs, Gaga mutes the disco glam and strips the tracks down completely. The album is made even better by the fact that Lady Gaga collaborated with iconic artists such as Florence Welch, Father John Misty, Beck, Kevin Parker, and Josh Homme throughout the creation of Joanne.

Lady Gaga’s newest soundtrack reminds the world why it needs her and her music. She is truly a pop-art chameleon that is endlessly recreating herself and her music. It is so refreshing to listen to a pop artist that follows her uniqueness and refuses to surrender her iconic persona for popularity and societal approval.  

Be sure to listen to the musical masterpiece, Joanne, today. It can easily be found on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, and any internet-based medium.