In a world of celebrity obsession, body-image overload and music dominated by superficial lyrics about money, cars and girls, Lady Gaga (nee Stefani Germanotta) has managed to recapture all of those themes and turn them into an original and catchy first album.

Released Oct. 28 on Interscope Records, “The Fame” plays off of the shallow club culture that pervades large American metropolises. Lady Gaga manages, however, to update its superficiality in a unique way.

It would be simple and understandable to dismiss Lady Gaga as no different than every other 22-year-old pop princess who makes a few catchy, club hits. But soon after the summer release of “Just Dance,” the single that has been burning up the pop billboards for months, Lady Gaga has drawn a cult following.

Dressed head to toe in a hooded cat-woman spandex body suit, four-inch heels and bleached-blonde hair, her electronic beats and glamorous image have everyone from the gay community to the mainstream calling her “fabulous.”

“Just Dance” is reason alone to purchase the album; she captures the mood and imagery of a night on the town, chemically infused and wildly altered. “Wish I could shut my playboy mouth/ How’d I turn my shirt inside out/ Control your poison babe,” and “What’s the name of this club?/ I can’t remember but it’s alright/ Just dance,” are perfect examples of a Lady Gaga experience.

An already well established DJ in her own right, her apparent preference to techno beats and heavy-hitting synthesizers makes “The Fame” unique with a dark, futuristic vibe. Each track is anecdotal, and while listening it’s easy to imagine and fantasize each of the scenarios she sings. Her music is infectious even if the majority of her lyrics are about the glittery lifestyles of the rich and famous.

“SUMMERBOY” sounds like a song written by a fanatical, wealthy high schooler, cruising around in a car with the windows down: “Sometimes you might start a fight/ But I’m happy, pretending we’re alright/ Sunglasses, cover up my green eyes/ My martini glistens yeah/ While checking out other guys.” Undoubtedly the most immature track on the album, the song is a modern day “Grease” meets summer in the Hamptons.

Nearly every track has sexual metaphors; “I wanna take a ride on your disco stick,” on “LOVEGAME,” is a pretty obvious example. Lady Gaga constantly promotes her sexual identity, presenting herself as a glamorous diva with a diamond-studded microphone who sings through plump, shiny, glossy lips.

She puts other artists in her genre to shame; she can actually sing live and write music, unlike Britney Spears. She understands the hipster revolution more than Gwen Stefani, and combines her influences of Madonna and Cyndi Lauper to create an updated cult following.

Lady Gaga is what pop music needs: an intelligent, observant, powerful woman. She understands and connects with her audience’s desire for intensely synthesized, heart-thumping, fist-pumping music.

“The Fame” is a well-crafted first album for Lady Gaga. She follows through with the “Just Dance,” techno-club vibe, and also promotes her soulful, melodic alter ego that will eventually lead her to a long, solid career.

By Sara Ferne can be reached at [email protected].