Switched on Pop Still Freaky After All These Years: Gaga, Tyler, The Cure
Nov 12, 2024
Discover the essence of musical 'freakiness' through Lady Gaga's provocative single 'Disease,' which fuses dark themes with pop sensibilities, and Tyler, the Creator's exploration of paranoia. Delve into The Cure's long-awaited album, reflecting on their emotional depth and Robert Smith's creative process. Uncover the haunting atmosphere of their new track 'Alone,' and explore how themes of mortality and vulnerability weave through contemporary melodies. It's a captivating journey into the transformative power of music.
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Defining The Pop "Freak"
- A "freak" in pop means uniqueness, nonconformity, vulnerability, and surprise.
- The hosts position Gaga, Tyler, and The Cure as contemporary exemplars of that freaky sensibility.
When Bad Romance Changed My View
- Charlie admits he initially saw Gaga's image as more transgressive than her early music.
- He only recognized her strange musical persona after hearing "Bad Romance" and its operatic, garbled elements.
Harmonic Blur Mirrors Lyrical Metaphor
- Gaga's "Disease" uses harmonic blurring between major and minor to sonically mirror its disease/cure metaphor.
- The song moves from a B major melody into D major elements to create major/minor tension before lyrics begin.