VIDEO PREMIERE: LADY GAGA - ALEJANDRO

At long last director/photographer Steven Klein and Lady Gaga's collaboration Alejandro, has been unleashed upon the world at 12:00 PM EST and the results are ...interesting. 

Highly stylized and induglent at just under nine minutes, the video touches upon themes of forbidden love and temptation as Gaga writhes around in a variety of ensembles including the most dramatic contrast of Bra/Panties combo versus a Nun outfit.  Gaga resists the temptation of a very attractive group of male suitors, taking charge.  In some parts of the video we see the male in the submissive position in bed, while she assumes the dominant role.  Perhaps this all ties in with the ideology of self-empowerment and choice with Gaga having taken a very public vow of Celibacy recently?  I'm definitely not in love with the video, but cannot deny it is very well done. 

REVIEW: LADY GAGA - THE REMIX (NORTH AMERICAN PRESSING)

After having held-out on the Japanese import of Lady Gaga’s The Remix recently, North American fans like me are rewarded handsomely for our wait with this stellar 17-track collection’s domestic pressing. The previously reviewed version of the disc includes remixes of the pop sensation’s first six singles only, while a European pressing improved upon that slightly shortly after.   This version however, is a much more comprehensive look at her already legendary career.

Although again my favourite mixes like the Moto Blanco mix of Paparazzi and Jody den Broeder mix of Poker Face are still nowhere to be found here, this disc takes into account that fans on this side of the Atlantic already saw the release of her Hitmixes EP last year and there is no needless duplication of tracks.

Included here are Richard Vission’s fantastic re-working of debut single Just Dance, a fun Manhattan Clique take on Boys Boys Boys (which should have been a proper single) and red-hot Starsmith’s take on the epic Bad Romance.  Above this, how can we ignore the presence of unseen before mixes of Dance in the Dark by Monarchy and The Sound of Arrows’ mix of current single Alejandro?  Simply amazing. Above this, Gaga definitely knows her fan base and goes straight for my heart by including the Pet Shop Boys and Frankmusik remixes of Eh Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say). And if this set wasn’t perfect enough, Stuart Price’s mix of Paparazzi is also included, as is Alphabeat’s version of Telephone (featuring Beyoncé). Although it is not a remix, her much-heard piano version of Poker Face recorded live at Cherrytree Studios just completes this perfectly. As a devout Gaga fan, I am beyond pleased.

CONTEST: A GA-GAGA GIVEAWAY!

Hello, Peaches!  I'm pleased to announce yet another exciting giveaway for my loyal readers.  This is your chance to win an ultra-rare signed 8x10 by the planet's hottest superstar, Lady Gaga looking....  totally ladylike (?).  The autograph is an item from The Mr. Will-W. Museum of Signed Art and the photo is vintage Gaga.  The prize is certified authentic as it was acquired through a respected dealer, with a lifetime guarantee on it.  Any Gaga afficionado will know that her signature has gone through multiple incarnations and this is one of her few signing styles.

To enter, all you need to do is email me at mrwillw@mrwillw.com before the deadline of May 1, 2010 at 12:00 PM EST with the name of the next single off of Lady Gaga's The Fame Monster disc.  The contest is open internationally and the winner will be e-mailed directly.  One entry only per reader, please.  Hint: the track was sent to radio in North America on April 20th.  Good luck!

REVIEW: LADY GAGA - THE REMIX (JAPAN ONLY IMPORT)

Currently available only as a Japanese import, Lady Gaga's The Remix takes her first seven singles (six, if you are in North America) and gives you a condensed 17-track radio edit selection of some noteworthy remixes to-date.  The disc with an über-provocative cover, illustrates the worldwide phenomenon that Lady Gaga has become since debut single Just Dance.  

On the disc are an unnecessary three contributions from her own DJ /friend Space Cowboy (Just Dance, Poker Face and LoveGame), plus a RedOne (her co-producer) remix of Just Dance - all which I assume were chosen out of loyalty rather than merit since they have been an instrumental part of her early success.  Die-hard fans though will note some duplications from her Hitmixes EP which was released last September.  

Unfortunately, the excellent Jody den Broeder mix of Poker Face has been excluded from the set and I feel this is a glaring discrepancy.  The excellent Pet Shop Boys remix of Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say) surfaces here however, which is a huge plus for the otherwise floundering track.  And another interesting choice thrown in the mix here is the Chew Fu Ghettohouse Fix of LoveGame featuring Marilyn Manson.  No sign of the popular Dave Aude remix of the track though. 

NEW MUSIC: LADY GAGA - ALEJANDRO/VIDEO PREMIERE: BAD ROMANCE

Things just aren't slowing down for Lady Gaga at all. Her single Paparazzi has topped the Billboard Top 40 Mainstream Chart, good enough to make it number six on the Hot 100 Chart. Simultaneously, latest single Bad Romance also landed in ninth spot on the Hot 100. And just when you thought you couldn't get enough, yet another track has surfaced - Alejandro.

It was just announced last week that original plans to re-release multi-platinum debut The Fame as The Fame Monster, have been modified slightly. Interscope Records will now be releasing Monster separately as a value-priced eight track album, but also keeping The Fame Monster Deluxe Edition option available to fans who haven't bought her debut yet. Times are tough and it is a brilliant move on their part considering the number of blockbuster albums being released on November 24, 2009.

Alejandro gives a nod to Sweden's Ace of Base at their finest. Coincidentally, Lady Gaga tied them with Paparazzi making her only one of four artists ever in the Billboard era to have four number one singles off a debut album. The Latin theme here picks up where Madonna went with La Isla Bonita and where ABBA had gone with Fernando. It is completely theatrical and over-the-top. I love it. I cannot wait to get my hands on this disc.

Listen to Alejandro by Lady Gaga in full below (courtesy of Interscope Records/Universal Music):

And of course, don't forget to check out this unbelievable just-released video for Bad Romance below, courtesy of Interscope Records:

The video touches upon the theme of human sex trafficking in Russia and is an outstanding effort from director Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend) and once again, Lady Gaga. V. reminiscent of Madonna in her Express Yourself glory.