Lady GaGa's 'Born This Way' album: First listen

Remember when Lady GaGa serenaded us with the title of her second album proper at the MTV VMAs? While starting the hype nine months ahead of its full release could be considered a form of torture to her loyalists, the intervening months haven't been without their charm: claims that it's the "greatest album of the decade" and the release of the most unashamedly camp song to top the US Billboard chart in years - all the while causing a stir amongst church-goers. Now, in what has become a near-weekly tradition of the campaign, Born This Way was made available online ahead of its official release. Here are our initial thoughts on the LP, track-by-track:

'Marry The Night'
Kicking off proceedings is an electro-thumping number with euphoric synths and uplifting melody similar to the title track. This is no bad thing, as it's less in-yer-face, and it's "M-m-m-marry the night" hook is equally as catchy.



'Born This Way'
The Madonna "channelling" is still more apparent than ever, but it's hard to deny this sonic, flat-out club-pumping track about equality hasn't struck a chord with the world. In fact, in the context of the record it provides a welcome easy-listening moment that requires little concentration. We all know the words by now, right?
> Read our review of 'Born This Way' here



'Government Hooker'
The pace promptly switches from chunky synths and stadium-sized choruses to a complex and considered techno number - a direction that most assumed she was headed post-Monster. "Put your hands on me, John F. Kennedy," she purrs. This one's a grower.

'Judas'
The naughty twin sister of 'Bad Romance', 'Judas' was a risky second single but continues to improve on repeated listens.
> Read our review of 'Judas' here



'Americano'
With its latino strings, Spanish lingo and cantering beat, it might be over the top, but given that it sounds like she was dancing around the studio in her finest Flamenco dress while recording it, it's near-impossible not to be drawn in.

'Hair'
The second of three inspirational club anthems, the well-worn lyric "I am my hair" should sound like a tired cliché, but amongst the high-wired synths, twinkling piano and classic-sounding hook, this number about celebrating identity is an instant standout.



'Scheiβe'
"I don't speak German but I can if you like," GaGa announces before showing off her bilingual skills with a German skit. Set to a heavy bassline and a squiggly riff that Diplo would be proud to call his own, expect to hear this in red-light districts across the globe... if that's your bag, of course.

'Bloody Mary'
Plucked strings, a beefy beat and operatic vocals swirl around this decadent number with the same ecclesiastical tone as 'Judas' - though unlike its cousin, it doesn't try to be anything other than graceful and effortless pop.



'Bad Kids'
"I'm a twit, degenerate, young rebel and I'm proud of it," she confesses over an '80s disco-pop beat. It's nothing we haven't heard GaGa tell us many, many times before, but like much of the record, the production triumphs over some of the questionable lyrical content.

'Highway Unicorn (Road To Love)'
With a title reminiscent of an arena-rock classic, the song just falls short of expectations, but the '80s rawk guitars akin to Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin'' are felt at full force here.

'Heavy Metal Love'
One of the less hectic efforts on the record, its pulsating beat and whispering vocal provide a momentary breather after the string of full-throttled club-pop stompers.

'Electric Chapel'
Probably the least instantaneous track of the lot, in the context of the LP it's a by-numbers marrying of church bells and electric guitars that doesn't amount to much.

'Yoü and I'
The closest thing to a ballad on the record, you'll have already heard this piano-driven number if you were a latecomer to her 'Monster Ball' tour. The album version has been tinkered with considerably by comparison, but it nonetheless remains an excellent song built around a simple melody.

'Edge of Glory'
GaGa closes with one of her pre-album release "gifts" - an ode to her late grandfather that she wrote immediately after his death. Combining air guitars with sledgehammering beats and a Springsteen-inspired sax solo, the album ends on a triumphant fists-in-the-air high.



> Lady GaGa poll: What do you think of 'Born This Way'?
> Lady GaGa's 'Born This Way' leaks online
> Read our full coverage on Lady GaGa

What do you make of Born This Way? Which are you favourite tracks? Leave your comments in the box below.