REVIEW: Lady Gaga Releases New 'Artpop' Song 'Do What U Want' (Feat. R. Kelly): LISTEN to Time-Traveling R&B Track [AUDIO]

At 12:01 a.m. on the dot, Lady Gaga released "Do What U Want," featuring the always-fascinating R. Kelly, the third full song from Artpop,. As teased in Twitter posts throughout the day yesterday (Oct. 20), the song takes on Gaga's critics over a classic club beat that recalls days of yore.

The slow-burning R&B and disco-infused track shows Gaga in relatively new, spectacular vocal territory. She ranges from sparkling high notes to a guttural growl, making comparisons to Christina Aguilera inevitable. It works perfectly for the powerful track, and helps to balance out R. Kelly's total R. Kelly-like smooth R&B grooves in the second verse.

As for the guest star, R. Kelly and Gaga blend together very little on "Do What U Want." Instead, the two big egos hold their own with strong declarations. "I could be the drink in your cup," R. Kelly croons. The collaboration works for the most part, even if it does feel detached.

Musically, the song blends together an energetic, driving throwback beat. It's hard to pin down the direct decade of influence, making "Do What U Want" feel timeless. There's the deep synth beat from the '80s, the funky R&B vocalizations from the '90s and the classic disco dance feel from the '70s.

Listen to "Do What U Want" (feat. R. Kelly) below.

"Do What U Want" was first teased last week, when a snippet of the song premiered in a commercial for Beats by Dre and Best Buy. Soon after that, Gaga posted the tantalizing single cover, featuring little more than her derriere in a flowery thong.

The song is released just four days before the official second Artpop single, "Venus" is set to be previewed. "Venus" will officially be released on Oct. 27. "Do What U Want" is the first of three songs to drop every week leading up to the release of Artpop. In addition to "Venus" on Oct. 27, another song (that has yet to be announced) will hit the web on Nov. 4.

Artpop, the third studio album from Lady Gaga, will drop Nov. 11.