Soon after the release of “Harlequin” and the “Joker: Folie à Deux” soundtrack, Lady Gaga graced listeners with the new single “Disease” on Oct. 25. This single comes as a precursor to her upcoming studio album referred to thus far as “LG7,” as it will be her seventh. Fans, including myself, have been waiting for this single in anticipation since she posted about it on Sept. 3.
“Disease” perfectly lures listeners into the spooky vibe of the season, starting with heavy bass, a dramatic synth and other intense beats. In the midst of all of this, you can also hear her vocals range from drawn-out, pitch-changing screams and the occasional gasp.
While Gaga embodies her beloved fan title of “Monster,” this song is flirtatious. She is trying to seduce the listener with lyrics such as, “if you were a sinner / I could make you believe.” She sings, “lay you down / like one, two, three / eyes roll back in ecstasy.”
This song combines pain and pleasure: a disease and an antidote. Gaga is the cure for your afflictions, you just have to let her heal you.
Near the end of the song, she gets rid of the heavy instrumentals and opts for a quiet, lone piano in the background to highlight her voice. It is crisp, clear and flawless as she sings with ease. I gather this as the moment where she has finally convinced her prey to join her.
When I first listened to this song, I was immediately hooked and couldn’t help dancing around my room like a fool. If this is just the beginning of LG7, I can only anticipate what’s to come next. I hope she continues to lean into this edge, as it is a good sound for her. Definitely give it a listen on this ghoulish day and have a happy Halloween.
5/5 stars
pbortner@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of @ladygaga, Instagram
