Hypodermic Sally

Screamed when I saw this today, had 5 notifications from her Instagram posts, so had a legitimate panic attack for about 10 seconds and then when I found out It cheered me up so much ...although I hope that isn't the cover, visually she's capable of creating something much more interesting and less Microsoft Powerpoint. Music, especially pop music needs this woman back. So happy and hyped and hope we get a VMA performance and that the song and video is of amazing quality. If you can survive being a Gaga fan when she's not releasing music, you're a real survivor.

That La La La, We Ride, Kisses Don't Lie, Good Girl Gone Bad, Rehab, Cold Case Love, Photographs, Russian Roulette, Skin, Roc Me Out, Talk That Talk, Jump, Lost in Paradise, Nobody's Business, B**** Better Have My Money, Kiss It Better, Desperado and Needed Me are all criminally underrated in my eyes, most of her best work tbh.

I must be the only one who actually loves the song and video ...although I do agree it didn't need to be a single... great track though! :kink:

I'm excited to hear how this will sound, feels like it's been forever since she announced she was pursing a solo career so I'm happy that the moment is finally here! ...I hope the song rhymes as well as that sentence.

They have had an amazing era, good for them! They deserve it

She looks amazing in that picture, the woman doesn't age!

Applause is amazing, full on adrenaline rush from start to finish.

Yes best choice, then Desperado!

Bring it after LG5, I need a whole Gaga era before another TonyGa era.

I hope we get the lead single soon, hopefully in time for the VMA's. Now would be a good time, as I don't see that many other pop females releasing music on the horizon?

I'd love Charli XCX to write something for Rih in the style of something of Sucker, especially Need Ur Luv or Body of My Own.

Sandcastles so low???? wth

weirdly I think I prefer Sia's version now I think of how Rihanna would sound on it. Plus it is nothing like anything on Anti.

I reckon we'll have at least the first single before the end of the year not, if not very early 2017.

From fave to least fave: 11.0 Work From Home 10.5 That's My Girl 09.0 No Way 08.5 Big Bad Wolf 07.5 I Lied 07.0 The LIfe 06.5 All In My Head 06.5 Write On Me 06.0 A Thousand Hands 06.0 Scared Of Happy 05.0 Squeeze 04.0 Dope 02.5 Gonna Get Better 01.0 Not That Kinda Girl Ideal Tracklist really just wish they'd replace the two weakest album tracks with the far superior bonus tracks. 01. The Life 02. Work From Home 03. That's My Girl 04. Write on Me 05. I Lied 06. All in My Head (Flex) 07. Squeeze 08. Big Bad Wolf 09. Scared of Happy 10. Dope 11. No Way 12. A Thousand Hands

I want Water Under the Bridge or a Million Years Ago

great read! never viewed Daddy Lessons in such a way but I'm glad you've opened my eyes - certainly one of my favourite Lemonade tracks.

Lingering at about 49/50 now, so hopefully it's a gradual hit.

Ties and Take Shelter are miles better, I am so bitter.

River Lea at Glastonbury was my favourite part of her set

76/138. I thought I'd at least get 100.

01. Ray of Light 02. Bitch I'm Madonna 03. Express Yourself 04. 4 Minutes 05. Like a Virgin 06. American Life 07. Papa Don't Preach 08. Devil Pray 09. Frozen 10. Hung Up 11. Vogue 12. Jump 13. Living For Love 14. Like a Prayer

I am happy with the line up tbh some of my all time favourite queens are there Katya, Adore, Alyssa and Alaska! KATYA TO WIN! However the the rest are mostly dreadful especially Tatianna and Roxxy. Ugh. It's understandable as to why there are no S8 queens, nor do I think they should be. Although I do hope, that by there only being ten queens that means only one goes each week and they don't eliminate two queens a week like in AS1. I do think this will be miles better, not like the benchmark was ever that high with the first season but these are certainly more colourful characters.

I think there are three main tiers of female pop singers here: The Temporary Queens, The Basic Semi-Iconic Queens and Lastly the Legends. Firstly we have the Temporary Queens: Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Ellie Goulding & Iggy Azalea. As talented as these women are and as many of a catchy tune they've given the world, I do not think - they're capable of ever being as culturally important as Madonna. I just don't see it. They've all had their fair share of hit songs (Fancy, Good For You, Anything Could Happen, Break Free e.t.c) but whether these songs will amount to be anything more than generic chart fodder in 5 years time? 10 years time? ...is another story but personally I do not see it and just feel there's not enough star power there for them to be at that level. They're inoffensive and their music is catchy enough to set the charts and radio alight right now but I can't exactly them see any of these women being major names of pop or even replicating Britney's level of fame/success, nevermind Madonna's. Not to say their contribute to Pop music hasn't been respected or welcomed, just I don't seem that at the same level of professionalism and longevity. Then there's the Basic Semi-Iconic Queens: Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Britney Spears and Nicki Minaj. I do love Minaj, Spears, Swift and Rihanna and as much as they excel in their own fields. They never take it to the next level it seems well for me at least personally. They've all provided some amazing moments in popular music over the past decade but I always feel like there is just something missing?? Taylor to me is the most talented of this tier however she's also the most problematic what with her white-girl feminism, it's as if she's been moulded by record executives to shift a load of albums and well it's worked, but that's not what I establish as the next Madonna. She's had her golden moments: Mine, Red, Bad Blood and Wildest Dreams amongst others. Still, it feels she has this entitlement to the crown, when actually she doesn't. Even with her monthly mix up of men, I still leave myself wanting more with Taylor. Only Time will tell but I think the only way she'll excel further is if she hybridizes her earlier country work with her more recent pop music and manages to crossover country into the mainstream music markets, rather than remaining to the generic pop girl mould she's accustomed herself to. Rihanna. There's no denying that along with Pink and Britney she has one of the most consistent females in pop since her debut. But with Rihanna, it doesn't always feel authentic. Rated R is the only album she's released which I feel has solidified her as a creditable artist. Anti and Unapologetic are probably her 2nd and 3rd best albums but they do leave something to be desired. I think Rihanna is great when it comes to nabbing Billboard hits and Vevo views but I want something more and eleven years later and I still really haven't witnessed that. Although I can't imagine the pop landscape without her and for that I'm grateful, it seems her music is not tangiable like her contemporaries Beyoncé & Gaga, but often lacklustre. Saying that, you can't ignore her tsunami of hits: Umbrella, Rude Boy, Russian Roulette, Te Amo, Only Girl, S&M, We Found Love, Diamonds, Stay and Work are all prime examples this woman is more than capable of churning out hit after hit. Then we have Katy Perry, who I adored with her back to back tracks I Kissed a Girl and Hot n Gold when she first came out, they were genius pop tracks back in the day but then I feel that the second she smelt success, she became a sell out. I don't relate to this candy-land perfect princess image she has created, especially as a 30 year old woman. Much like Taylor, it often feels contrived and put on. It's very Disney and that might have been interesting ten years before, but I think by 2016 - our pop stars should be politically, socially and culturally intriguing and complex. She is very one dimensional to me and has provided the epitome of dire tracks to the world of pop: California Gurls, Part of Me, Roar. I think Katy will always be a household name, but as big as Madonna? No way. Nicki Minaj, being a rap artist primarily, Minaj was never going to be the next Madonna. When people think of Madonna of the quintessential popstar - they don't think of a rapper sadly. But I do think Minaj has the capacity to be the biggest female rap artist of all time and instead of being the next Eve or Missy Elliot or Lil Kim, she's Nicki Minaj and she's certainly raised the bar for what not just female rap, but rap in general can be. A fantastic artist but I do feel her latest release shows how she's ran out of new ideas. None the less I'm sure her future releases will maintain the level of quality her beginning albums had and I hope she returns with vengeance. And lastly but certainly not least we have Britney, who remarkably has come a long way in her live performances especially when you compare her Billboard performance to that dreadful 2007 Gimme More performance *flashbacks and shudders* and I do think Vegas has helped her improve majorly. But I would be lying if I said she was the next Queen of Pop. To me, the commitment just isn't there and that's understandable - she has a family, a life of her own, a perfume range, Vegas residency e.t.c but I want my popstars to be committed and I think she just drops an album when she thinks she's got a collection of around ten-twelve tracks which she can clump together and just release an album. It seems she's never truly invested in her music and it's just vocals to a well-produced track. Saying that - Toxic, Everytime, Gimme More, Piece of Me and If You Seek Amy are all pop perfection. Then We Have the Legends: Sia, Pink, Adele, Beyoncé, Gaga. Each with extradionary discographies that last the test of time and are all complete legends in their own individual right. I've never been the biggest Sia fan but since 'Chandelier' exploded, I became an avid fan and even trailed through her earlier work which isn't too shabby, especially We Are Born. For me there is no doubt in my mind that she is up there with Amy Winehouse, Florence Welch, Nina Simone and Lana Del Rey when it comes to distinctive vocals. She always keeps it refreshing, she always keeps it real and I just love that. I always applaud someone who can transform stark darkness into profound masterpieces and that's exactly what she has done. With various mental health problems and a history with addiction, Sia is the artist who I dream of - making something beautiful out of what sounds like a tragic and heart-breaking life. She's a survivor. Engaging. Captivating. The issue is whether she can scale the heights of Madonna which I feel is unlikely in all fairness, but she is one of my favourite voices and still think she has a lot more to offer the world. Pink to me is the original longevity queen, from You Make Me Sick to God is a DJ to Blow Me, she always has a song under belt and I'm always happy to hear it. I'm Not Dead and M!ssundaztood are both great albums and contain my favourite work from her but her personality never seems to match her music and shine through. To me she often comes across quite angry (which there is nothing wrong with) but she never seems to be enjoying herself. I just think Pink bears more of a Cher stature than a Madonna. She's not there to shock, she's there to entertain and give the public thought-provoking and high quality music, which she does successfully. As for Adele. Her voice is incredible but to me Madonna is more than a singer (although she's not exactly the best one at that), she's an entertainer, a provocateur. Madonna is about using pop music to express larger conversations politically, sexually, culturally and on other alternative levels which most pop females would be demonised for. I feel Adele is too inoffensive, too normal and too sweet and this is the woman who swore at the Brits. She's had some classics already: Someone Like You, Rolling in the Deep, Set Fire to the Rain, Skyfall and Hello are her most iconic it seems but I feel Adele focuses too heavily on the vocals and that's fine. Rightfully so, if I had those pipes I would too but it can often come across very one dimensional and that there's nothing more really there more than super-talented vocals which can be annoying. I'm not expecting her to break into the splits and give birth on stage, but it's often very samey samey with Adele and so therefore I think Adele is in a similar lane to Mariah and Celine, not Madonna. This is where the main argument lies. The next Madonna? Beyoncé or Lady Gaga? It would be foolish to dispute that either is not worthy of passing on the baton, both providing the most iconic, atmospheric and revolutionary moments of recent pop culture in the 21st century, but I do agree they work on slightly different levels which often parallel one another. Beyoncé to me started as the star from Destiny's Child with a few cute hits, it wasn't until I Am...Sasha Fierce where I really took notice. Her hair towering thick with hairspray and heels even higher, her single ladies visual and video was and still is ICONIC and that's when I truly thought "mutha has arrived" *insert Vivacious gif*. A string of hits including Sweet Dreams, Broken-Hearted Girl and Radio followed, cementing me as a half-hearted fan. This was taken further with the release 4. Although normally overlooked, I do think it's her second strongest album. Jammed with not only bops, but slight experimentation - it's clear to see she's eager to break away from the regular pop mould Rihanna, Katy & Swift have became known for and create something timeless. This was elevated a level further with the 2013 release of her self-titled EP which has changed the way music is released and the 'surprise Beyoncé release' has become a trend of it's own now. However it wasn't until this year until my full stan card become fulfilled, what with the release of Formation in correlation to Black Lives Matter as a major political statement. That could of backlashed terribly, but it was so empowering and infectious. I loved it. Followed by the release of her best album yet, Lemonade - I saw this woman's full potential, with the album showcasing she's not just a pretty pop singer and dancer I mistaked her for in the early days but a real musician, director, activist, voice and legend and I'm grateful for her contribution to the world of music. However this argument cannot conclude without Gaga. Of course, Gaga has taken inspiration from Madonna (that's disputable and she even states that on the Fame's credit's)- with tracks like Ray of Light, Frozen, American Life, Hung Up and Like a Prayer, why wouldn't you? But I do think it's detrimental to allude Gaga is nothing more than Madonna 2.0 because she's not, she's much more. To me Gaga is a hybrid of not just Madonna but all of her icons. She's Madonna, Bowie, Prince, ABBA, Springsteen, Houston and Jackson all collected into one and the result is Lady Gaga. Beyoncé and Britney have been with us since the late 90's yet we still place Gaga amongst them? isn't that proof that within the 8 years, since she's catapulted onto the pop scene she's changed the game. Jumping into the world with juggernaut hits like Just Dance, Poker Face and Bad Romance - she became (as the paparazzi video puts it: the new IT girl) and to say the musical landscape didn't change because of Gaga is a joke. She along with the Black Eyed Peas & Guetta, made dance music break through in the Northern American market, they made it accessible and cool. An onslaught of hits including the timeless tracks Telephone, Alejandro, Born This Way (which was the 1000th Billboard no.1 and was the first song to include the word 'trans' and for it to be played on national radio), The Edge of Glory, Applause and Do What You Want - 5 albums later, yes I'm including TFM & C2C and she's on the verge on creating another tidal wave the other pop girls could only dream of creating. What makes Gaga all the more creditable to me is the fact she is a classically trained in vocals and piano, can play the guitar, keyboard and synth and therefore is what you'd consider a 'real musician' as well as being a fully-fledged pop star who can own a stage at the command of one note. She can pour fake blood or sit behind a piano singing about rape and can still evoke equally emotional reactions, which I feel Madonna often struggles with. I can understand the confusion that Gaga is all smoke and mirrors, but her performances are out of this world. Additionally her advocacy for Mental Health in young people, raising awareness for rape and sexual assault and also most importantly supporting the LGBTQ+ community makes her all the more special. As a bisexual woman, she has made it to the top and showed me that whatever social characteristics appy to me, I can still succeed and I am grateful for that. She's fearless, talented and a sweetheart even despite the metaphoric fame and success she's achieved. Who else can turn up to award shows in an egg? in a meat dress? can be thrown up on whilst performing? can swallow rosary beads? can wear dildo heels? can release a jazz album with Tony Bennett and it still go no.1 in America and sell over a million copies WW? Only Gaga. People hold Gaga to such a high pedestal because they know she's the best and so when she doesn't deliver anything short of perfection, everybody is up in arms. In conclusion, I think Gaga and Beyoncé are the closest contenders for being the next Madonna but personally feel Gaga doesn't need to be the next Madonna, Madonna to me is a popstar. Gaga is a rockstar - "a true muso" whereas Beyoncé falls into the entertainment category more so and therefore feel she will be the next Madonna.

CD 1 -1 Pharrell Williams - Happy 07 Route 94 feat. Jess Glynne - My Love 05 Enrique Iglesias feat. Pitbull - I'm A Freak 03 Avicii - Hey Brother 06 Katy Perry feat. Juicy J - Dark Horse 06 Sam Smith - Money On My Mind 02 Little Mix - Word Up! 00 5 Seconds of Summer - She Looks So Perfect 03 Miley Cyrus - Wrecking Ball 00 Pixie Lott - Nasty 06 One Direction - Story Of My Life 00 Gary Barlow - Let Me Go 03 OneRepublic & Alesso - If I Lose Myself 06 Gorgon City feat. MNEK - Ready For Your Love 00 The Vamps - Wild Heart 11 Lady Gaga feat R. Kelly - Do What U Want 00 Elyar Fox - Do It All Over Again 08 Katy B - Crying For No Reason 01 John Legend - All Of Me 08 A Great Big World feat. Christina Aguilera - Say Something 04 Ellie Goulding - How Long Will I Love You 02 Sam Bailey - Skyscraper CD 2 00 The Chainsmokers - #SELFIE 07 Pitbull feat. Kesha - Timber 02 DVBBS & Borgeous feat. Tinie Tempah - Tsunami (Jump) 04 Calvin Harris & Alesso feat. Hurts - Under Control 00 Martin Garrix & Jay Hardway - Wizard 00 Tiësto - Red Lights 03 Duke Dumont feat. Jax Jones - I Got U 09 Bastille - Of The Night 00 Example - Kids Again 06 Little Mix - Move 08 Neon Jungle - Braveheart xx DJ Fresh vs. Jay Fay feat. Ms. Dyanmite - Dibby Dibby Sound xx Tujamo & Plastik Funk feat. Sneakbo - Dr. Who! xx Busta Rhymes feat. Q Tip, Kanye West & Lil Wayne - Thank You xx Fuse ODG - Million Pound Girl (Badder Than Bad) xx John Newman - Out Of My Head 10 Sub Focus - Turn Back Time xx Matrix & Futurebound - Control 06 Foxes - Let Go For Tonight 07 Paloma Faith - Can't Rely On You 07 Le Youth feat. Dominique Young Unique - Dance With Me 10 London Grammar - Hey Now 10 Vance Joy - Riptide xx American Authors - Best Day Of My Life