As Lady Gaga returns with the release of her third studio album “ARTPOP,” the musician who is famous for her antics delivers simultaneously what was expected from her while also exploring new territory. In many ways, “ARTPOP” seems like the next logical step in the development of Lady Gaga’s work. On the album, she still wrestles with her feelings about fame, men and her own self-image.

With most artists, there is pressure with the release of new work to bring something fresh to the table, which is something Gaga seems to understand. Her response? Disco beats and electronic dance music influences on tracks like “G.U.Y.” and “Venus,” rap and pop infusions on “Jewels N’ Drugs” and, oftentimes, theatrics exceeding even her previous albums.

In a word, “ARTPOP” is exhausting. It’s often devoid of real instruments aside from the single ballad near the end of the track list, “Dope,” which in its simplicity doesn’t make up for the lack of depth apparent throughout the rest of the album.

An unrelenting electronic beat underlies the entire album, so the last hour of “ARTPOP” mostly sounds like noise. Memorable moments of Gaga’s past — such as the sing-along choruses of older songs like “Born This Way” and “Just Dance” — are few and far between.

Whereas in past releases Gaga’s wit was sharp, something about “ARTPOP” feels too on the nose. Perhaps the biggest problem is, with all the theatrics, Gaga is unable to be subtle in parodying herself, such as with the love-it-or-hate-it first verse in “Applause,” “I stand here waiting for you to bang the gong.”