After revealing the accompanying ASS-ential artwork earlier this weekend, Mother Monster/Sister Swine Lady Gaga has finally lifted the veil protecting the gorgeousness of her new ARTPOP promo track, “Do What U Want (feat. R. Kelly)” — and it’s a beauty.
The song’s message is twofold: On the one hand, it’s a boner jam.
But on the other — on the more #ARTPOP hand — it’s a defiant battle cry against THE HATERS (her “Human Nature” moment, if you will — I kid! Please don’t send me more death threats). Following the fallout from the Born This Way era, Gaga’s dusting off the dirt, grabbing onto her buddy R. Kelly and confidently serving up the greatest possible response to the naysayers. Nope, not an annoying Twitter rant — just a fucking amazing song.
“You can’t stop my voice ’cause you don’t own my life / But do what you want with my body!” she declares.
We’re having some fun, ’cause this beat is sick! From the very first nasty slap against the speakers, “Do What U Want” plays like the slick, synthy step-cousin to “So Happy I Could Die,” with a touch of the ’80’s electro-sheen of the Drive soundtrack and a slight Caribbean groove (and also a bit of Drake‘s “Hold On, We’re Going Home”?)
Gaga’s vocals are certifiably bananas: She’s yelping, cooing, whispering and just plain screaming all over the place — but unlike the more polarizing chaos of “Aura,” her vocals make complete sense in this production. And that soaring bridge at the end? Um, STAHP. (Just kidding, don’t.)
And Gaga’s not the only winner on this track: R. Kelly might come with his fair share of pop culture baggage, but all that slips away with his velvety smooth offering. This is that #SomethingMoreUrban touch done right — sort of like if Flo Rida‘s verse on “Starstruck” wasn’t completely embarrassing.
“Do What U Want” is, as the kids say, a serious “bop.” Along with “Applause” and the rest of the songs previewed at the iTunes Festival, ARTPOP is seriously shaping up to be one of the top pop records of the year.
Kudos, Gagaloo — you can Do What U Want with my bodeh.
“Do What U Want” was released on October 21. (iTunes)