Of course, Gaga would move the release of her new video for "Yoü & I" from Thursday to today, Madonna's birthday, just to rub it in her face.

Bitch.

Just kidding. Probably just a coincidence. Right? Like how "Born This Way" coincidentally sounds like "Express Yourself".

Anyway, it's all forgiven because, even though I can't stand this song, this video is Lady Gaga's best videos since "Bad Romance", believe me.

Think Shania Twain meets Marylin Manson. We see Gaga in all sorts of Frankenstein-ian scenarios with her sexy male model lover. She's got bionic limbs! She's being electrocuted! She's a mermaid! It's all a very stylized version of kink, if you ask me. And it serves nicely as a metaphor for the lengths you would go through for a lover. After all, the song is about her on-again-off-again boyfriend, so who know how many times she's felt she had to "change" for him. Or, how many times she's felt he's brought her back to life, if we continue with the Frankenstein's monster theme.

But, what's more revealing is Gaga, in near-nude makeup, at the piano, seranading herself, dressed in drag. After all, who can love Gaga, more than Gaga herself?

There is a lot going on in this video, and after the WTF-ness of her past efforts from Born This Way, it's nice to see her return to her music video making prowess.

Happy Birthday, M!

Kathleen and I were chatting the other day about Justin Timberlake. We both agree that he needs to stop pursuing acting and just get back to the recording studio already. 

But, that doesn't seem to be on his radar. He is all about the acting. He's got quite the impressive filmography going on now. With a few hits and a lot of misses. And yet, he keeps on trying. 

It boggles my mind that a) he is so determined/delusional to be taken seriously as an actor and b) that people in the industry are taking him seriously, giving him shot after shot, from bit player to leading man.

Gawker put it best - he's not a good actor. But, he's not a bad actor, either. And one of his biggest hindrances is the simple fact that he's Justin Timberlake. As Kathleen put it, he's too big a celebrity to allow for the necessary suspension of disbelief that is required for watching movies (thanks Film Studies minor!)

So, this got me thinking that this is the same problem Madonna had whenever she tried her hand at acting. She's been in a bunch of movies, but the biggest criticism was that she just isn't a believable actress simply because she is Madonna. And the films where she was good in - Evita, Body of Evidence, Dick Tracy - she was successful because she was basically playing a version of herself.

Which is another detraction for JT's acting career. In The Social Network and Friends With Benefits, he's bascially playing a version of himself. And when he tries to veer away from that public image, as in The Southland Tales and The Love Guru, he's pointed out as the weakest link.

So, I think Justin needs to snap out of this acting phase already. If he's to learn anything from Madonna, it's that anything else they do will pale in comparison to their contributions to music. Well, except for when they work together.

Until then, he's just going to keep thinking we love him and that we're feeding his ego. Like this:

While Madonna is busy working on her new album, a clip was recently released of her alleged first on-air performance. Back in 1982, she lip-synced to "Everybody" (one of my fave tracks from her early years) on a show called Dancin On Air.

The whole thing is so... quaint and cute. I can't fathom what it must have been like for her in those early days, working and hustling, with no clue as to how big a star she would one day become. 

I hope that today's Madonna still has some of that fire and enthusiasm that is so evident in this clip.

Let's do the time warp!

I've posted DJ Monsieur Adi's brilliant remix of Madonna's "Music" recently, and now he's back with another breathtaking remix, this time of "Frozen".

Now, Adi isn't just your average remixer. He finds a way to create really lush, almost orchestral, soundscapes that breathe an entirely new life into these classic songs. For example, "Frozen" is transformed from an Eastern-influenced string ballad to a bold, triumphant march to redemption. I love how a song that I've loved for 13 years is able to sound completely brand new to me.

Check it out, and if you like, take a listen to his first Madonna remix of "Get Together".

<span>Madonna - Frozen (Monsieur Adi Remix) by arjanwrites</span>

<span>Madonna - Get Together (Monsieur Adi Remix) by Monsieur Adi</span>

Since "Music" is one of my all-time favourite track by Madonna, it's pretty hard for me to admit when a remix actually improves upon it.

But, Italian DJ Monsieur Adi has done just that. The song from 2000 is updated with a slinky French disco bass line, lush synths, a sample from "Celebration" and a guitar solo. Yes, a guitar solo.

It's amazing! Give it a listen!

<span>Madonna - Music (Monsieur Adi Remix) by arjanwrites</span>

After all the (staged?) brouhaha over Weird Al's parody of Lady Gaga's "Born This Way", we finally have a video for "Perform This Way".

It's pretty much a literal translation of his lyrics to the screen. And, I didn't really find it that funny. Mostly because I was terrified of his face transposed on that hot chick's body for the video's duration.

Props for slipping in the Madonna reference, though.

I know "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" was originally recorded by Rose Royce, but it's Madonna's version that I, obviously, am more familiar with.

Canadian folk singer has now covered the song and he make the sad song even sadder. You can listen to it here.

And then watch Madonna at her most melodramtic below. Cuz I said so.

I'm well aware that I'm a musical contradiction. I profess to love indie rock, but my all-time favourite artist is Madonna, the most mainstream bitch on the block. It doesn't make the most sense, but that's me.

And now my conflicting music tastes have been reconciled.

Indie lable Paper Bag Records have released a tribute cover album dedicated to Madonna's True Blue album. All nine songs have been covered by a roster of artists from the Paper Bag label, including You Say Party, The Rural Alberta Advantage and Winter Gloves. And each song has been giving a complete makeover.

"Open Your Heart" by Young Galaxy is now a minimalist head bobber. "Jimmy Jimmy" by Born Ruffians is now a cool rock shuffle. And PS I Love You's chaotic take on "Where's The Party?" (embedded below) renders the song almost unrecognizable from the original 80s synth thumper. Somebody find this guy a party!

The best part is? It's all free if you go here. And you can preview all of the tracks on Soundcloud.

So, suddenly, Madonna has been made cool again in the eyes of hipsters everywhere.

  <span>PS I Love You 'Where's The Party' by Paper Bag Records</span>