Lady Gaga’s Dawn of Chromatica

Remix records are rarely a noteworthy affair, but with Dawn of Chromatica, Lady Gaga has entrusted pop’s most boundary pushing artists with her music for some inspired results. By refracting the exuberant disco and house of Chromatica through hyperpop’s avant-garde and maximalist lens, a transmogrification of past and present occurs that leapfrogs the mainstream in favor of sounds that may well illuminate pop’s future. An early example is the defiant tension Arca builds on her remix of “Rain On Me.” With its avowed resistance to any sort of bass drop, it is a masterful practice in musical edging. On the other end of the spectrum, Rina Sawayama and Clarence Clarity bring their trademark nu metal meets Max Martin glam to “Free Woman,” elevating its placating grooves into an even more triumphant and romping anthem. Dorian Electra employs the same approach to “Replay” with similarly great results. Charli XCX and A.G. Cook’s chilly rendering of “911” is so excellent that Gaga should strongly consider enlisting the PC Music label head to produce her next album. Its exquisite weirdness is equalled only by Chester Lockgard, MoodKiller and Lil Texas’ reworking of “Sine From Above,” which features Elton John proudly prancing like the stallion he is. Ultimately, that an artist of Gaga’s stature would choose to spotlight the next generation of pop greats shows not just a discerning ear but a commitment to the advancement of the genre that is worthy of our applause.

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If you like Dawn of Chromatica, check out:

• KiCki i by Arca

• Charli by Charli XCX

• My Agenda by Dorian Electra

• Lei Line Eon by Iglooghost

• SAWAYAMA by Rina Sawayama