another gem from the kingdom

like clockwork, a little over an hour ago, the heiress-apparent of pop released yet another single off her upcoming album. "hair," which focuses on the brilliantly superficial notion that freedom is associated with the protein stemming from our heads, is an instant club masterpiece that seems to have been made almost solely for the purpose of dancing in one's bedroom mirror. through her storybook lyrics, gaga weaves a tale about how oppressive parents can stunt a youth's self-discovery and how, through hair, one can essentially find salvation. it reminds you of being a teenager and the desire to be understood through expression. its message brings materialism and narcissism to epic proportions. while stomping your feet and shaking your own hair to the thunderous bassline and explosive chorus, you can see the image of cher horowitz in her white bedroom getting ready for school or jim stark slicking that ace comb through his gelled locks or tony manero flinching from his father's reach for his head, and the youth culture of all eras combine into one, huge carnival of celebration. even though this is just a promotional piece, it still will probably find its way onto charts around the world and at least the club circuit here in america, where gaga has slowly weened a generation of nu-metalheads and pop-rap fiends onto eurotrash dance and industrial electro. with "hair," the heiress-apparent yet again proves her relevance and importance by serving up an anthem devoted to outer beauty and that proudly professes, "i am my hair." india arie, she is not. and we can be thankful for that.