The Lady Gaga Album That Deserved More: Why Artpop Was Ahead of Its Time

When looking back at Lady Gaga’s illustrious discography, it’s easy to get lost in the monumental success of The Fame or the critical acclaim of Born This Way. However, lurking in the shadows of these towering achievements lies Artpop—an album that divided critics, puzzled fans, and yet, in hindsight, stands out as one of Gaga’s most ambitious and misunderstood projects.

Released in 2013, Artpop was conceived as a conceptual dance-pop journey, fusing electronic beats with high-art aspirations. Tracks like “Applause” and “Do What U Want” were designed not only to dominate the charts but also to challenge listeners’ perceptions of what a pop album could be. At the time, however, the response was mixed. Rolling Stone called it “bizarre,” while early fan reactions ranged from enthralled to deeply confused.

Commercially, Artpop found moderate success, selling 2.3 million copies worldwide. Compared to Gaga’s earlier efforts, it fell short. Born This Way sold 7 million, and The Fame—with hits like “Poker Face” and “Just Dance”—topped 15 million. Even Joanne, Gaga’s stripped-down Americana experiment, eventually sold 1.3 million, though it debuted to more muted fanfare. Yet, it’s not just the numbers that define an album’s legacy; it’s the impact it leaves over time.

Critically, Artpop has enjoyed a reassessment. While initially panned by some for its chaotic vision, its retrospective Pitchfork rating of 7.3 acknowledges its ambition. It dared to mix EDM’s bombast with themes of celebrity culture and personal freedom—something that’s now seen as prescient, considering how pop music and art have continued to intertwine.

Fan communities have also sparked new appreciation for Artpop. On platforms like Reddit, a segment of Gaga’s fanbase has consistently championed the album’s production peaks, including tracks like “Swine” and “G.U.Y.,” hailing them as ahead of their time. This split opinion is perhaps what solidifies Artpop’s reputation: it wasn’t immediately embraced by the masses, but for those who saw its vision, it was nothing short of groundbreaking.

Today, as Gaga’s career continues to evolve, Artpop serves as a reminder of her willingness to take risks. It may not have garnered the sales or universal acclaim of her other albums, but it carved out a unique space in her catalog. And for that reason, it remains her most overlooked—and arguably her most forward-thinking—work to date.