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Born This Way: The Remix

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Born This Way: The Remix is the second remix album by American recording artist Lady Gaga, released on November 18, 2011 by Interscope. This album contains remixes of multiple songs off of Gaga's second studio album, Born This Way. It was also released as part of the Born This Way: The Collection, a special edition release including the 17-track version of Gaga's second studio album and a DVD release of the HBO concert special Lady Gaga Presents the Monster Ball Tour: At Madison Square Garden. Most of the remixes had been available in the remix EPs released alongside each single from Born This Way. Musically, the album is an electronic and dance record; there are also influences of Europop, techno and dubstep within the composition.

Critics gave mixed reviews for the album, with their general complaint being that the release was unnecessary. Most of them, however, complimented The Weeknd, Twin Shadow and Guéna LG's remixes. It earned an overall score of 57 out of 100, on review aggregator site Metacritic. Commercially, Born This Way: The Remix achieved minor success, entering the charts in ten countries. Its highest position was attained in Japan, where it reached top-twenty, while in the United States, it failed to reach the top-100 of the Billboard 200 albums chart.

Background

A blond woman with curly hair singing in a microphone, while wearing a pink, short dress
Goldfrapp remixed Born This Way's second single, "Judas"

In October 2011, Lady Gaga announced plans to release a remix album titled Born This Way: The Remix.[1][2] The album contains fourteen remixes of tracks from her second studio album, Born This Way, only seven of which are unreleased. Born This Way: The Remix was also released as part of Born This Way: The Collection, a special edition release including the 17-track version of Gaga's second studio album and a DVD release of the HBO concert special Lady Gaga Presents the Monster Ball Tour: At Madison Square Garden.[2] The remixers featured for the songs on the album include mainly techno musicians like Sultan & Ned Shepard, electropop producers like Goldfrapp and Metronomy, indie rock upstarts like Twin Shadow and Two Door Cinema Club, and remixer The Weeknd.[3]

Most of the remixes had been available in the remix EPs released alongside each single from Born This Way. The first remix commissioned was the Twin Shadow remix of "Born This Way", released in March 2011.[4] This was followed by the Goldfrapp remix of "Judas" in May 2011, which was released to Gaga's YouTube channel.[5] The Wild Beasts remix of "You and I" was released in August 2011, and the proceeds from the sales helped to raise awareness to the ways people can support independent labels that lost stock in the PIAS Recordings UK warehouse fire.[6]

Regarding the inspiration behind the remix, Hayden Thorpe from Wild Beasts group told The Guardian: "The unlikeness of this match was perhaps what compelled us to take it on. Gaga in many ways is the epitome of what we are not. She is the butcher to our butter knife. The essential thrill is always to keep eluding what is expected of us and what we expect of ourselves."[6] The last of the remix to be released was The Weeknd's take on "Marry the Night" which featured Illangelo, thus earning him a co-producer credit on it.[7]

Composition

The album opens with the Zedd remix of "Born This Way" which begins with some minimalist beat followed by loud synths, and consists of a techno breakdown.[3][8] The Goldfrapp remix of "Judas" follows as the second track; the remix consists of industrial music and Gaga's vocals are converted to a slow, low-key moan making it almost like a man's voice.[3][8] Foster the People remixed "The Edge of Glory" and introduced a new break down from the 3:20 time sequence.[3] Producers The Weeknd and Illangelo kept the overall feel of "Marry the Night" intact, but introduced vocals by Abel Tesfaye of The Weeknd and a steely looping drum machine.[8] Jason Lipshultz from Billboard described the addition as "directly conflict[ing] with Gaga's M.O. But like so many of these remixes, the Weeknd marries his vision of the song to Gaga's gorgeous voice without losing the original's integrity."[3] Tesfaye's voice can be heard in spots on the song, adding an occasional "Ooh yeah" and a moan; ultimately at the 2:20 mark, the song collapses on itself and ditches the percussion for infrequent piano notes.[7] The remix of "Black Jesus + Amen Fashion" retains the most of the composition of its original counterpart, although it introduces a new synth by Michael Woods, thus turning it into a rave-trance track.[8] The Horrors remix of Born This Way album track "Bloody Mary" consisted of Gaga's vocals fading in and out of sequence.[3] "Scheiße" featured influences from The Knife song "Heartbeats" (2003) as well as Vengaboys' "We Like to Party" (1999).[3] "Electric Chapel"'s composition is completely changed by Two Door Cinema, altering the dark mood of the song to a fun and engaging one.[3] The Metronomy remix of "You and I" varies little from its original equivalent, while dubstep is introduced in the Hurts remix of "Judas", with a different conclusion.[3] Sultan & Ned Shepard's remix of "The Edge of Glory", the last track on the album, features pumping drums and slinking synths.[3]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[9]
BBC(Positive)[10]
Billboard(Mixed)[3]
Consequence of Sound[11]
Rolling Stone[12]
Slant Magazine[8]

After its release, Born This Way: The Remix received mixed reviews from critics. It earned an overall score of 57 out of 100, on review aggregator site Metacritic.[13] Jason Lipshultz from Billboard commented that the album did not re-invent anything new in terms of remix composition, but instead "gives less recognizable artists a platform to tinker with these complex pop schemes." He added that the album is not essential listening for non-Gaga diehards, "but electronica fans who have yet to drink the Mother Monster kool-aid will find plenty of pristinely produced club tracks to groove to. The album is a great avenue for fans to digest new versions of their favorite songs of the year, as well as discover artists that are trying to command audiences the way Gaga so masterfully does."[3] Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic gave the album three out of five stars, commenting that "some remixes take considerable liberty, ditching verses or hooks, whatever catches their fancy. So, it’s a remix album not for fairweather travelers but rather the hardcore Little Monsters, the kind who love every gesture grand or small from Gaga, but it also displays enough imagination to appeal to those listeners who fall into neither camp and are only looking for some darkly elastic dance."[9] Harley Brown of Consequence of Sound website was impressed with the diversity of remixes on the album, prompting him to comment that "just in time for the holiday season, there’s something for everyone on Born This Way: The Remix. And, unlike many remix albums featuring one song reworked again and again, this Remix comprises a diverse tracklist to match the diverse list of remixers."[11]

Jody Rosen from Rolling Stone gave a mixed review of the album, wondering why the remix album was necessary to be released in the first place. She nevertheless added that "[t]he album has some diverting moments. Goldfrapp's down-tempo 'Judas' is less a remix than a smart cover, and the Weeknd and Illangelo re-imagine 'Marry the Night' as a strobe-y, atmospheric R&B epic. But there are two or three duds for each winner—like the bludgeoning 'Scheiße', a gratuitous exercise that strives to make a dance-floor thumper out of a song that was born that way."[12] Rosen's view was shared by Paul Rice from Slant Magazine, who gave the album a rating of two out of five stars. Rice's main complaint was that "[c]ertain artists cry out for the remix treatment more than others, usually those whose vocal talents are relatively straightforward and could benefit from the extra fuss." He added that Gaga was not such an artist and that the original Born This Way album "in particular, is too big and untamed, full of too many of its own references and styles, from Springsteen to Madonna. As such, it's best enjoyed on its own flawed, bombastic terms."[8] Nick Levine, reviewing the album for BBC Music felt that most of the tracks are already available as digital downloads and CD singles, "so it's easy to dismiss Born This Way: The Remix as inessential and, yes, a cash-in. But taken as a whole, this release offers enough revelations to suggest the original album is worth revisiting. That additional purpose, whether intentional or not, feels at least partly fulfilled."[10] Levine complimented The Weeknd and Twin Shadow's remixes, while criticizing Foster the People and Sultan & Ned Shepard for their predictable remixes.[10]

Chart performance

In the United Kingdom, Born This Way: The Remix entered the UK Albums Chart at number 77, for the issue dated December 12, 2011.[14] In Japan, the album sold 12,120 copies in its first week, and debuted at number 14 on the Japanese Albums Chart.[15] In its second week, the album fell down to number 19 while selling 6,650 copies.[16] It has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipment of 100,000 copies.[17] In the United States, the album debuted outside the top 100 of the Billboard 200 albums chart, at number 105, while debuting at number three on the Dance/Electronic Albums chart.[18] As of April 2016, Born This Way: The Remix has sold 62,000 copies in the US according to Nielsen SoundScan.[19] Other nations where the album attained top-100 positions included Italy, France and Spain.[20][21][22]

Track listing

Born This Way: The Remix – Standard edition[23]
No.TitleLength
1."Born This Way" (Zedd Remix)6:30
2."Judas" (Goldfrapp Remix)4:41
3."The Edge of Glory" (Foster the People Remix)6:10
4."You and I" (Wild Beasts Remix)3:50
5."Marry the Night" (The Weeknd & Illangelo Remix)4:03
6."Black Jesus + Amen Fashion" (Michael Woods Remix)6:10
7."Bloody Mary" (The Horrors Remix)5:18
8."Scheiße" (Guéna LG Club Remix)5:44
9."Americano" (Gregori Klosman Remix)6:07
10."Electric Chapel" (Two Door Cinema Club Remix)3:59
11."You and I" (Metronomy Remix)4:19
12."Judas" (Hurts Remix)3:58
13."Born This Way" (Twin Shadow Remix)4:05
14."The Edge of Glory" (Sultan & Ned Shepard Remix)6:34
Total length:71:27
Born This Way: The Remix – iTunes bonus track[24]
No.TitleLength
15."Judas" (Röyksopp's 30 Pieces Remix)9:18
Total length:80:45
Born This Way: The Remix – Japanese limited edition[25]
No.TitleLength
15."You and I" (Mark Taylor Remix Radio Edit)3:57
16."The Edge of Glory" (Desi Hits! Bollywood Remix)5:13
Total length:80:13

Credits and personnel

Credits and personnel adapted as per Born This Way: The Remix liner notes and as per Allmusic.[23][26]

Charts and certifications

Release history

Region Date Format Label Edition Catalog
Colombia[31] November 18, 2011 CD Universal Music International, Interscope Records Standard 602527870007
Germany[32] CD, digital download B005SV9W4Q
United States[33] November 21, 2011 Streamline, Interscope, and Konlive
United Kingdom[34] Polydor Records
Japan[35] Interscope
France[36]
Japan[37] November 23, 2011 CD Universal International Limited B005SUI4Z0
United States[38] December 6, 2011 (2011-12-06) LP Streamline, Interscope, KonLive Standard B005ZN2I66
Germany[39] Universal Music Group, Interscope
United Kingdom[40]
Japan[41]
Indonesia[42] December 14, 2011 (2011-12-14) CD Universal Music Indonesia Unknown catalog
China[43] March 29, 2012 (2012-03-29) CD STARSING CULTURE 9787888801011

References

  1. ^ "Lady GaGa Announces Remix Album". MTV. MTV Networks Europe. October 9, 2011. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
  2. ^ a b Lipshutz, Jason (October 7, 2011). "Lady Gaga Announces 'Monster Ball' DVD, 'Born This Way' Remix Album". Billboard. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Lipshultz, Jason (November 21, 2011). "Lady Gaga, 'Born This Way: The Remix': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
  4. ^ Fitzmaurice, Larry (March 15, 2011). "Listen: Twin Shadow Remixes Lady Gaga". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved November 15, 2011.
  5. ^ Breihan, Tom (May 15, 2011). "Listen: Goldfrapp Remix Lady Gaga". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved November 15, 2011.
  6. ^ a b "New music: Lady Gaga – Yoü & I (Wild Beasts remix)". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. August 23, 2011. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  7. ^ a b Lipshultz, Jason (November 2, 2011). "The Weeknd Remixes Lady Gaga's 'Marry The Night': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Rice, Paul (November 23, 2011). "Lady Gaga: Born This Way: The Remix". Slant Magazine. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  9. ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (November 21, 2011). "Born This Way: The Remix – Lady Gaga". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
  10. ^ a b c Levine, Nick (November 23, 2011). "Lady Gaga - Born This Way: The Remix Review". BBC Music. BBC. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
  11. ^ a b Brown, Harley (November 23, 2011). "Album Review: Lady Gaga – Born This Way: The Remix". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
  12. ^ a b Rosen, Jody (November 23, 2011). "Born This Way: The Remix – Album Reviews". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
  13. ^ "Born This Way: The Remix". Metacritic. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
  14. ^ a b "Official Albums Chart: Week of December 12, 2011". Official Charts Company. November 27, 2011. Archived from the original on November 28, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ a b "2011年11月21日～2011年11月27日のCDアルバム週間ランキング" (in Japanese). Oricon. p. 3. Retrieved December 1, 2011.
  16. ^ "2011年11月28日～2011年12月04日のCDアルバム週間ランキング" (in Japanese). Oricon. p. 3. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
  17. ^ a b "Japanese album certifications – Lady Gaga – Born This Way: The Remix" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved August 29, 2015. Select 2011年11月 on the drop-down menu
  18. ^ a b c "Born This Way: The Remix – Lady Gaga". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2011.
  19. ^ Hampp, Andrew (April 17, 2016). "Ask Billboard: Lady Gaga's Sales & What's the Longest Streak for Americans Atop the Hot 100?". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  20. ^ a b "Artisti: Classifica settimanale dal 21/11/2011 al 27/11/2011" (in Italian). Federation of the Italian Music Industry. November 27, 2011. Retrieved December 1, 2011.
  21. ^ a b "Album Top 100: Week of November 26, 2011" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. November 26, 2011. Retrieved December 9, 2011.
  22. ^ a b "Top 50 Albums: Novembre 27, 2011" (PDF) (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. November 27, 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
  23. ^ a b Born This Way: The Remix (liner notes). Lady Gaga. Interscope Records. 2011.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  24. ^ "Born This Way (The Remix) [LP]". Bestbuy.com. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  25. ^ "Born This Way Remix (Limited Edition)" (in Japanese). Amazon.com. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
  26. ^ "Born This Way: The Remix". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  27. ^ "Chartifacts - Week Commencing: 5th December 2011". Australian Recording Industry Association. December 5, 2011. Archived from the original on December 9, 2011. Retrieved December 9, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ "Lady GaGa – Born This Way – The Remix" (in French). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
  29. ^ "Albums : Top 100". Jam!. Canadian Online Explorer. December 3, 2011. Archived from the original on December 7, 2011. Retrieved December 9, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ "Top-75 Albums Sales Chart". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on December 15, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ "Lady Gaga Born This Way The Remix" (in Spanish). Entertainment Store. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  32. ^ "Born This Way: The Remix" (in German). Amazon.com. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
  33. ^ "(Amazon.com) Born This Way – The Remix". Amazon.com. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
  34. ^ "(Amazon.co.uk) Born This Way – The Remix". Amazon.com. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
  35. ^ "(Amazon.co.jp) Born This Way the Remix" (in Japanese). Amazon.com. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
  36. ^ "Born This Way, The Remix" (in French). Amazon.com. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
  37. ^ "Born This Way (Limited Edition)" (in Japanese). Amazon.com. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
  38. ^ "Born This Way – The Remix (Vinyl)". Amazon.com. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  39. ^ "Born This Way Remix (Vinyl LP)" (in German). Amazon.com. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
  40. ^ "Born This Way: Remix (Vinyl)". Amazon.com. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
  41. ^ "Born This Way: Remix (Analog)" (in Japanese). Amazon.com. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
  42. ^ "Lady Gaga - Born This Way (The Remix)". DiscTarra.com. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  43. ^ "嘎嘎小姐:天生完美混音精选(CD)". amazon .com.
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