Joanne is Lady Gaga’s first retro album, with heavy acoustic guitars and a touch of hippie vibes.  Fourteen songs, 47 minutes of soft rock, throws Gaga into another ball park, a drastic change from ArtPop and The Fame.  

After seeing Gaga sewed into a dress fashioned with flabs of flank steak for the VMA’s and hatching herself from a translucent egg at the Grammy’s, her modest album came as a surprise to many.  From the riveting dance songs featured in her previous albums, like Do What U Want and Applause that received unquestionable love from her fans, we became accustomed to Gaga’s loud and upholding music.  However, with the release of Joanne, Gaga’s fans are welcomed into fourteen serene tracks that are a pleasant change from her eccentric songs we’ve come to expect.

“I wanted to write an album about family and togetherness and learning from the past,” Gaga stated on the Good Morning America Show.   

With the help of English musician and record producer, Mark Ronson, the album can be defined as: retro.  However, he was fearful of it sounding too out-of-date.  Ronson made a goal for the album to fit into the modern era, while still being presented in a fun and retro style.  Working on the album with Gaga for six months, each song has an exciting twist musically and vocally.  

The name of the album, Joanne is after Gaga’s aunt, who died at the age of nineteen from Lupus.  The song Joanne is a meaningful ballad, in mourning of her deceased aunt.  “Every part of my aching heart, needs you more than the angels do.”  

 Gaga’s vocals are presented masterfully in my two personal favorites, Million Reasons, and Diamond Heart.  Million Reasons doesn’t only capture her voice, but also carries piano and drums that showcase her vocals beautifully throughout the entire song.  “I’ve got a hundred million reasons to walk away, but baby, I just need one good one to stay.”  Diamond Heart was co-written with American song-writer and record producer, Josh Homme.  A serene guitar line is featured in this song, while not overpowering Gaga’s voice.  “I’m not flawless but I got a diamond heart.”

 Other songs on the album, A-Yo and Dancin’ in Circles have a slight familiarity to Gaga’s previous albums, The Fame and ArtPop.  There’s more electronic notes and fast dance beats, while still having a retro pop feel.  It’s a perfect balance from the slower and more poetic songs from the album.

 Joanne is said to be the best album yet from Gaga, from numerous papers and influential TV hosts.  It’s an unbelievable record, exposing Gaga in a way that hasn’t been heard before.