Lady Gaga Single Review: 'Perfect Illusion' Is Pure, Energetic, '80s Inspired Theater [VIDEO]
Lady Gaga has officially released her first pop single in three years, "Perfect Illusion". So was it worth the wait?
Gaga's single "Perfect Illusion" debuted on iHeartRadio stations around the world Thursday night, with millions of Little Monsters tuning in to hear the superstar's triumphant return to pop music. With almost three years having past since the release of her polarizing 2013 album ARTPOP, fans have been dying to hear some new music from the artist who created such smash hits as "Bad Romance", "Poker Face" and "Born This Way". So does "Perfect Illusion" join such instant classics?
"Perfect Illusion" combines a driving beat with some groovy '80s-inspired synth, as Gaga sings of realizing what she thought was love was, in fact, an illusion. Gaga's vocals are raw and stronger than ever, giving the song urgency and authenticity in a pop radio climate full of autotune and vocal manipulation. Her seemingly untouched vocals also fit perfectly with the lyrics themselves, with the singer lamenting the lack of legitimacy in her former relationship.
The key change towards the end of the song brings Gaga's vocal performance to soaring new heights as her fury becomes almost overwhelming to listen to, though in the most glorious, theatrical way. It's clear that her recent over-the-top dramatic role on American Horror Story has had some influence on her vocal performance.
While "Perfect Illusion" may not be an instant earworm like "Bad Romance", the song is certainly more relatable and audience-friendly than "Applause" and many of the other tracks on ARTPOP. "Perfect Illusion" may not be liked by everybody, but it does give an intriguing teaser for her fifth studio album, set for release later this year.
Gaga fans have already been tweeting their feelings, both good and bad, about the song:
I am in perfect tears. #PERFECTILLUSION
— Shady Gaga Facts (@ShadyGagaFacts) September 9, 2016
i'm so down with the key change in perfect illusion. yessssss gaga!!!!!!!
— CHARLI XCX (@charli_xcx) September 9, 2016
Me listening to Perfect Illusion for the first time pic.twitter.com/rwAbf0f7iv
— Lady Gaga Source (@GagaMegaFan) September 9, 2016
Gaga's voice on Perfect Illusion saves my life
— MØ (@MOMOMOYOUTH) September 9, 2016
"Perfect Illusion" is a good song. Happy for Gaga.
Actual footage of me when I first heard the key change: pic.twitter.com/KAAHqEQfot— Andy Herren (@AndyHerren) September 9, 2016
This Gaga song is terrible
— T. Kyle (@tkylemac) September 9, 2016
#PERFECTILLUSION LITERALLY GETS BETTER AND BETTER WITH EVERY LISTEN! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU, @LADYGAGA!
— Lady Gaga (@stevenartpop) September 9, 2016
Lady Gaga's new song makes want to do meth and smash my head into a wall while crying my eyes out. 10/10 would definitely recommend.
— Chris Drown (@chris_drown) September 9, 2016
perfect illusion sucks so bad. so disappointed.
— ram. (@rghxml) September 9, 2016
Perfect Illusion sucks so bad. Wow. What a fitting title.
— Midge (@MeeGell) September 9, 2016
#PERFECTILLUSION is the best lead single this year and y'all basic stans will deal.
— Lady Gaga Updates (@ARTPOPGR) September 9, 2016
Listen to the full audio of "Perfect Illusion" here:
