A Star is Born Soundtrack- A selection where everyone will find a different star of the show.

Music Review- Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper- A Star is Born Soundtrack (2018)

With an excellent showcase of Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper's talent, this album is certainly a must listen. However, though its long length means there is a lot to love it also offers up a considerable amount of songs that miss the mark. The album reaches high highs and presents some of Gaga's best ballads and lyrics that are to die for, but its loyalty to the movie means these moments are sandwiched between sub-par tracks. As it is a soundtrack that is meant to have movie scenes in between, a lot of the songs change tone, pace and genre in the space of one song giving it a neck breaking rollercoatser of emotions. In addition, you can tell some songs were only to be used for a small slice in the movie as after half of the song the track has hit you over the head with its message five times over and offers little else for the rest of the length. If this nineteen track album had some pruning back then it would be one of the best albums ever, but at the moment it is too bloated with a varying quality of tracks.

As stated though, this is a glorious album if you love a good Gaga ballad. There are plenty for you to get your teeth in where she shows her emotional range from bombastic showstoppers to the raw moments that will make you weep. In addition, Cooper holds his own with some tracks where the lyrics are so poignant and emotional that are elevated by his restrained delivery. The two voices come together surprisingly well, however there are some tracks where it becomes clear who the superstar is as Gaga's out of this world talent is no match for Cooper's only decent voice.

The long track list means there is a lot of variety and a wide range of genres: rock, pop, ballads, RnB, musical theatre, country. It is certainly a whirlwind of talent from the two stars. But, the genres don't always mesh well for a fluid album listen. However, in the streaming age most people don't listen to the full album and just find the tracks they love. So, the high variety means there is definitely something for everyone. Modern pop lovers and traditional music fans will both be pleased with this diverse track list, but no one will be happy with the full thing. There is most definitely a number of tracks you will dislike no matter if you're the biggest Little monster or not.

Album Review- 6.5/10

Track By Track Breakdown:

Black Eyes- An electrifying opening that sets the tone and the pace of the album perfectly. The first time Cooper gets to show off his chops and by God does he show them: growls galore. His voice is rough and his delivery gives off the impression he has been doing this for years. He is elevated by a rocktastic production that sets the stage alight; the guitars are godly as they swap from big electric numbers to a smooth bass that carries throughout the song. The track is arena ready. Sadly, the lyrics do not live up to the production. Though Bradley is giving it his all, what he is actually saying is sparse and repetitive. The lyrics get the message across that Cooper's character is a struggling alcoholic, but after the five hundredth repetition of ''I'm by the wayside'' the message isn't only got, but signed, sealed and delivered to everyone in the world. The track is decent, it just hits you over the head with what it wants you to know until you are blue in the face. (6)

La Vie en Rose- Going from rock to Jazz is quite the change, but opening the album with two vastly different worlds from the two main characters offers an interesting image of how different they are before they meet. Gaga's character's world is much less hectic and bombastic than superstar Coopers as she slows it down to a coffee house pace. The minimalist production of just piano puts Gaga's voice on display and lets her show off all the talent we all knew she had. Just because we knew she was this talented doesn't make it any less impressive. She is serving vocals as well as french chips. However, being from an album that shows Gaga's range in tracks that are more emotional, tracks that are more bombastic and tracks that have more flare compared to this tame jazz, it renders this song less powerful and less memorable than the rest of the album. (7)

Maybe it's Time- Swapping the bombast of Black Eyes for an acoustic guitar, Cooper shows off his heart and soul in this beautiful track. The song is beautifully written about the struggles of changing and growing in an ever moving world. It is sombre and simple and perfectly written. Cooper's delivery is tinged with a country vibe as he gives a restrained and raw performance. At only two minutes forty it is a quick shot of peaceful reflection in this crazy world. It is definitely one to come back to and have on repeat. (8)

Out of Time- This is an instrumental that goes from a toe tapping beat to a roaring guitar and fantastic production. Cooper knows how to build tension and keeps the audience hooked as the guitar teases you in and lets the background slowly spiral into an arena ready spectacle. It is one to get your air guitar out and pretend that you are Jackson Maine himself. Though the song leads perfectly into Alibi and the production is great, the lack of lyrics and singing gives little reason to return to this track many times. For what it is, it is good, but it also prevents itself from being legendary. (5)

Alibi- Like a middle ground between Maybe it's time and Black Eyes, the track is a decent old rock song, but nothing more. The lyrics are better than the first track, but not as good as Maybe it's time. The production has some energy to it, but nothing electrifying. It is a middle of the road rock song that if you like that sort of music you will find an excellent song here, though it feels slightly underwhelming and under baked when compared with the other tracks on the album. It has just not got its own individual flare to make it stand out or memorable in a nineteen track album. If you are putting the soundtrack on from start to finish, you wont skip this track, but you wont be deliberately coming back to it any time soon. (4)

Shallow- The Oscar, Grammy, Bafta and every award you can think of winning song. It certainly deserves the recognition it has got. The sombre opening by Cooper that naturally swirls into a larger than life power ballad. The two artists swap between each other sharing observations on life until the catchy as hell chorus kicks in and sweeps the song into third gear to properly take off as Gaga hits that high note. And, by gosh is it a high note; as the drums and guitars swirl around her voice it is spine tingingly good and will leave you in awe. It is a love song without being cheesy or cliche and it is a power ballad without being too bombastic or over the top; the song hits the perfect tone and middle ground of what it is meant to achieve. In addition, it is one to try and sing along to in the car or in the shower. You will definitely be turning this up when it comes on the radio. (9)

Music to my Eyes- A beautiful love song. Gaga and Cooper share musical compliments to each other as they fall in love in front of our eyes and show their love for music. It is the kind of song a musician will get married to. It is cute and delightfully quaint as you can see old couples singing it to each other at any given chance. The singers are masters at the less is more way of singing as they never give too much or ruin the vibe of the song by attempting to out sing the other. They harmonise well and deliver a restrained performance that is best because of it. But, in an album full of bombast and overtly dramatic performances, this sweet love song can get a little lost. (7)

Diggin' my Grave- It is tracks like this where is becomes clear who the superstar is. Gaga is delivering a spunky performance that Cooper just can't match. It is a weird miss step that even though they are singing at the same time, their voices don't sit well nor harmonise perfectly. It sounds like two covers of the same song played on top of each other. Gaga's growls and fiery vocals give the song some life and prevent it from being a dreary country ditty, but that life is not matched by Cooper who seems to want to keep the track firmly in tame territory. If Cooper matched Gaga, then this track would have some wings and be a raw and fiery duet, but at the moment it just seems off kilter. In addition, the only reason for its inclusion seems to be for a cute bit of foreshadowing for the rest of the film as it offers not much else of substance lyrically or narratively. (5)

Always Remember us this Way- The part of the album where Gaga takes the driving seat and drives us into fantastic territory. The ballad is beautiful. The chorus is to die for as it is catchy, poignant and heart wrenchingly good. Gaga shows off her vocals with bombastic flare and tear ready restraint. The song captures the moments you want to bottle up and frame as you want to keep it like this forever; it is romantic, it is beautiful and you will be singing along many a time. It's a victory song that would be perfect at a wedding. It is one of Gaga's best ballads and vocal deliveries as it shows off how she is a powerhouse vocalist that has full control of her voice and knows how to use it. You will choke up at how beautiful this song is. (9)

Look What I Found- Gaga showing that traditional pop can be just as fun as modern day pop. The infectious piano production gives this song an energy and a spring in its step that will get your foot tapping and body moving. It is fun dressed in a groovy beat. You can't not love this song as you will be singing along and dancing in no time as it is so very loveable. It's a song unlike anything Gaga has done before as it is stripped of any pop synths or dance heavy production that has become synonymous with Ms Gaga. The track takes it back to good old classic fun pop that your parents will love and say ''Oh, they don't make 'em like this anymore.'' It is refreshing and lively. (9)

Heal Me- An RnB pop song that could be on the radio today. The song has an easy listening vibe to it that makes it glorious to turn up loud and get lost in its glossy beats. The production gives it a sleek pop gloss that is infectious and when Gaga's sultry coo delivery of the chorus comes in it takes the song to the next level. Though the chorus is gorgeous it isn't as catchy of a hook as Gaga is used to writing, but the high notes are out of this world good. The lyrics wont get stuck in your head but you will remember the glossy perfect pop vibes for long to come. (7)

I don't know what Love is- A peculiar misstep for the album. The grandiose production of strings and piano feel like its trying to be bigger than it is. Its overtly dramatic and not good for it. Don't get me wrong, the production is nice it just doesn't fit this song. The lyrics are a tad cheesy and matched with the classical production makes it feel like its trying to be something its not. The lyrics are run of the mill ballad, yet the production thinks its a classical masterpiece. It just doesn't fit. It is also another song where Gaga gives more than Cooper is capable of and he just seems like a backing vocal that wasn't taken out of the final draft. Cooper also sounds poorly auto-tuned in places. (4)

Is That Alright?- Literally perfect! Vocals that will take your breathe away. Lyrics that are beautifully written with a narrative that you will get lost in and a hook that you will sing from the top of your lungs. Gaga is raw and vulnerable with a vocal delivery that will knock you to your seat; her restraint and power are both displayed perfectly in this gorgeous track. Those airy vocals in the middle of the chorus will bring a tear to your eye. It is the perfect wedding song. You can have this song on repeat for hours and it will never get old. It is Gaga at her best. It is big, it is beautiful and it is a must listen. (10)

Why Did You Do That?- Another moment where loyalty to the films structure makes the transition from one song to another feel problematic. Going from a gorgeous love song ballad to a pop song about arse feels weird. The inclusion of the song is a bit left field as for the traditional and tame album the sexual lyrics are a bit out of place. The chorus is overtly repetitive, but it will get stuck in your head. It is the kind of song you are not proud of liking, but you just can't help it as the chorus is rather infectious. It is low brow, it is pop at its most problematic and it is autotuned to hell, but it does have a weird likeability to it. There are some that will love the bombastic and no cares given track, there are other others that will hate it with every fibre of their being, but the majority will hate that they love it. It is certainly not boring and that is commendable. (5)

Hair Body Face- Not as sleek and glossy as Heal me, nor as bombastic and in your face as Why Did You Do That?. It's a bit of a nothing song. The chorus isn't that catchy and the production isn't very loveable. If you like basic pop, then you will like this song, but it's not putting any effort in to convince you otherwise. It's existence on the album isn't exactly necessary either. It is kind of just there and doesn't really bring anything to the table. It's easy listening and not offensive, but not memorable. (4)

Before I Cry- With similar problems to I don't know what love is, you can't take this song seriously. The weirdly peculiar opening and the over dramatic ''I'm going to crrrrrry'' that Gaga screams over the chorus is just too much. It feels like it is trying to be dramatic but it is just so melodramatic and musical theatre- in a bad way: it is cheesy and unnecessary. When Gaga has so many amazing ballads on this album, this track could have been cut and it would have been better for it. (3)

Too Far Gone- At just a minute and half this a blink and miss it kind of ditty. It's quaint, but with lyrical content that could be written on a post it note its not anywhere near greatness. The song acts more of a reminder to the audience that Bradley Cooper still exists as after the entourage of Gaga-pop listeners could have forgotten, but the song offers little else of worth. The production isn't memorable and Coopers delivery is subdued and restrained. It doesn't offer much reason for a replay. But, at such a short length their is no reason to skip the song either as it is so inoffensive that it is easier to let it run its course. (3)

I'll Never Love Again- Opening with Gaga catching her breathe, this is the most musical theatre Gaga has ever been. Channelling all the emotion that the end of the movie encompasses, Gaga lets her vocals loose on this Broadway track. It is the kind of award winning moment that theatre divas dream of: letting all their talent shine through in a bombastic ballad that has emotional vulnerability and the kind of raw moments that cause the audience to weep. The song will get you to cry and you will be weeping for a long time afterwards. Its the kind of song that old married couples will melt to. After a whole album of Gaga showing off her versatility and excellent vocals you would think that there would be nothing left for her to shock you with, but this raw display of emotions is a knock out. Because it is so emotionally tasking, it is a heavy listen, so you wont be returning to it as much as other tracks, but when you do it will blow you away. (8)