LADY GAGA: MAYHEM
"I am writing some of my best music in as long as I can remember"
The night of March 6, 2025. The night where pop music will regain its consciousness and come back to the light with the return to form of Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta; the return of Lady Gaga - the dark, electronic, experimental, pop Lady Gaga. The same Lady Gaga who has managed to take the world by storm time after time is back for another serving of the spotlight; delivering something bigger than the genre itself.
Can Lady Gaga be defined?
With the rollout of this album and the entirety of her career thus far it has been proven countless times that Gaga simply cannot be kept in a bubble. Her music is something with so much form and depth for what is seen as the musically "standard" genre; Gaga has constantly and consistently pushed that envelope to make it something bigger, making other stars shudder in her awe-inspiring presence that can never be replicated, a presence that can hardly even be imitated.
'MAYHEM' manages to pack a heavy punch within just a few songs - with different genres coming together into one bundled package that is unapologetically Gaga at every turn, with the compositions truly fitting the title of the album as Gaga refused to do just one thing, just one style with her 2025 album.
There isn't any other album that has had me quite as excited as this one. The rollout for 'MAYHEM' has quite simply had me on the edge of my seat for months - and I can't say that any other album has been as exciting as Lady Gaga's 7th full-length LP has been. From the tender 'Die With a Smile' to the almost techno-esque 'Disease' and 'Abracadabra', the rollout for 'MAYHEM' has been off the wall to witness happening in real time.
Each single has brought something new and exciting to the table - with many believing that this album is Gaga "returning to her roots", it feels a bit more complex in nature than 'Chromatica' while mixing and mashing modern & retro elements into what comes down to one huge melting pot. Gaga's performances have been exhilarating to watch unfold, and the madness has seemingly just begun.
The promotion for the album alone has made absolute tidal waves of impact throughout the entire world; showing that Gaga is a force to be reckoned with this far into her decades-long career. Starting on two incredible career-high's and ending with a shimmering ballad that would quickly take the world by storm - the impact of 'MAYHEM' was immeasurable before it had even been released.
It's an appropriately titled album, with the tracks being a whirlwind of genres that break the borders of Lady Gaga being considered a pop artist. She's more than just a popstar; she's an artist that can bend and break music to fit her structure, with each word coming out clearly and boldly through her strong vocals and delightfully chosen list of production talent, 'MAYHEM' is a release for the ages.
Each track shining in such a different way from the last makes it almost feel like a necessity to go in depth about each track to the best of my ability; the mix of genres and styles makes the album feel harder to review than most due to it coming in such a large and exciting form, and each track provides something different and exciting.
DISEASE:
'Disease' is a track that instantaneously hooked me and it hasn't let go of me since. It's a whirlwind of all things Gaga in the best ways - stunning imagery, double-entendres, and an almost hypnotic beat that rises until the catchy and instantaneously memorable chorus hits, 'Disease' managed to become one of my all-time favourite Gaga songs before the album had even been close to its release date.
It manages to ooze with style and hard-hitting beats from the minute that first gasp hits the surface, with a throbbing drum beat and elements that are masterfully catered and layered to absolute perfection; there was no better way to open up an album. Gaga's vocal performances on the track and the layered harmony tracks showcase her versatility and skills as a vocalist exceptionally well - and it's one of the most striking tracks vocally for Gaga that isn't a ballad.
It sets the bar for the entirety of the album incredibly well, and the track to follow it helps to build up the rise of the album even more - with the highs coming in so early on the album (and before it even released), the standard and overall content quality of the album manages to be off the charts within just two stellar tracks to steal the show and reign in the spotlight.
The unfortunate part of 'Disease' is how underappreciated it feels when compared to both 'Abracadabra' and 'Die With a Smile', with 'Abracadabra' being a somewhat similar song in terms of style despite the lack of attention for 'Disease'. It isn't that 'Disease' isn't talked about, but it doesn't get the same amount of activity that the other two singles have gotten during the rollout of the album.
'Disease' perfectly blends electronic elements into a pop song that can not be done by anyone but Gaga; it's a return to her signature experimental sound that only feels mainstream because of how huge her impact is, and it dominates almost every other pop song to come out in recent months. It will remain timeless and doesn't feel bound to this time period in particular, with the raging synths and pounding beat feeling like a hit to the head that will leave you dizzy and craving that same adrenaline over and over again.
The track was inspired by Gaga's battle against her own fears and inner darkness in more ways than just one. The characters of the story that takes place throughout the album help to reflect on Gaga's own life - making this album follow the traditional pattern of her albums marking specific periods of her life, showcasing both the good and the bad, the love and the anger, the light and the happiness; it all comes together into one stunning project.
Each delicately intertwined layer of 'Disease' brings it up into greatness, and Gaga's expertise and masterclass ear for music make the track that much better. It's clear at this point on alone that Gaga went into this album knowing exactly what she wanted; and she brought that vision to life.
It truly showcases the two different sides of Gaga and how she struggles just the same as anyone else. Her openness about her personal troubles and dark times have led to countless stunning projects - with 'Disease' being one of the more unconventional examples of this occurring throughout her career.
ABRACADABRA:
One would think that 'Disease' would be the dance peak for 'MAYHEM', but 'Abracadabra' proved us all wrong, making for one of the most recognizable choreographies in Gaga's entire career with the electrifying video that feels like a return to the cinematic videos that came with her older music. The techno/trance-esque beat with hard, angry synths and a throbbing dance beat make the song instantaneously infectious through its catchy chorus and delightful production.
It follows the theme of overcoming struggles that can be found on 'Disease', with even the most electrifying dance tracks being more than just "something to dance to". The track blends personal struggles and triumphs with an energy that screams at you to love the moment you are, to feel and embrace who you are at every minute.
"In many ways, it's about how to deal with that challenge within yourself, and often, the world around us can reflect it as well. I wanted to explore the question: 'What does it feel like to thrive rather than just survive all the time?'"
'Abracadabra' showcases both the high and low edges of Gaga's vocal register, with high notes coming in during the last half of the track and the lowest of the notes throughout the track coming during both the pre and post choruses respectively. Gaga plays the role of puppeteer to her own vocals, and she showcases her range better than ever on this track in particular.
It's a definite standout for her career - her being decades into her musical journey makes this that much more impressive when you put her legacy into consideration. A popstar who isn't even 40 yet has managed to make a global impact and forever change the most popular genre of music while still going strong all these years later.
Lyrically and thematically, 'Abracadabra' is about “facing the challenge of life and the challenge of the night and finding the magic in it all.”; adding more to the structure of the album and the loose concept it follows as Gaga takes you on a journey through the twists and turns brought on throughout the course of life.
She managed to make the premiere of this song and its music video release feel like the main event of the Grammy's this year, and it continues to have a lasting impression after its release and positive reception from the public; becoming the next big thing online and taking the world by storm throughout the various different videos and 'Abracadabra'-centered posts.
It will undoubtedly remain one of the most lauded tracks from the release of the album, and Gaga once again proved with this track that she can bring life into dance music anytime it might need a push. She knows what and when to release - and her artistic strategy has lead to countless unforgettable moments in pop culture thus far. It's deeply impressive and downright fascinating seeing how she started and how monumental her impact has been already; and having a legacy like hers while still living and creating is a striking feat.
Gaga knows how to appeal to both the masses and her dedicated fans, and 'Abracadabra' does just that two times over.
GARDEN OF EDEN:
'Garden Of Eden' shifts more into the lighter side of pop - successfully showcasing both sides of Gaga and her versatility with the stunning, almost 'ARTPOP'-esque electropop track that is somehow more impressive than I ever could have anticipated it being. It opens as a more electronic-based track before diving head first into a shimmery sweet chorus that makes itself just as instantaneously catchy as 'Abracadabra' did.
Just three tracks in and 'MAYHEM' already manages to be exhilarating in all the best ways, with 'Garden of Eden' having all of the right electronic elements that clash without being too overbearing - with loud aspects that come together into one blissful experience of a track that is simply a blast to experience; especially for the first time.
It's a track that instantaneously makes itself known, reigning in the highs from the first two tracks and keeping the energy of the album up by showcasing the poppier, more bubbly side of Gaga with sweet vocal performances and lyrics that are immediately memorable - particularly in the chorus; which is the strong suit of the track without a doubt with the other elements and pieces of the track coming in with the same level of fierceness.
The track is one of the more recognizable and memorable other than the singles, with some of the other songs on the album being great without enough to keep them fresh in a listeners mind; this doesn't drag the album down, but there are obvious standouts such as this one that keep the album as great and as fresh as it is.
'Garden Of Eden' strives to be the 2000s song of the album and it does it well. It feels like a confident and perky strut on a brightly-lit runway, and the sugary sweet coating of the forbidden fruit is simply too captivating to resist.
PERFECT CELEBRITY:
The synth-heavy almost 80s-esque 'Perfect Celebrity' is unexpected, taking a moment of warming up to before turning into a track that explodes and blares with heavy drums and delightfully silky and wooing vocal performances. I didn't feel too highly about the track on its opening, but the explosion of drums alongside the wonderfully done chorus feels like something Gaga has never done until now.
'Perfect Celebrity' has one of the most impressive choruses has thus far, with the exploding instrumentals coming together into a track that bends and snaps until it is done just right. It takes a moment or two to catch on - but once you get it, you get it hard. On second listen it becomes that much better given the funk direction that the rest of the project goes in, and the chorus is particularly memorable in its polished harshness.
Gaga's melodic vocals along with her rage-filled growls fill the song with depth and life in a way that rejuvenates an album that was already beaming. It helps to guide the album into a different direction when compared to the first three tracks; leaving more wiggle room for the heavy experimentation Gaga does within the rest of the album.
It's another one of Gaga's striking and emotional looks at fame; a theme she has tackled full-force since the very roots of her career. It's no secret that Gaga has loved the spotlight and being famous for so long, but it comes with its highs and lows - the mood shifts on 'Perfect Celebrity' help to push that point into new horizons.
VANISH INTO YOU:
'Vanish Into You' is also deeply synth-driven, with elements of 80s funk coming through in the bass and plucky synth notes against Gaga's stunning vocal performances. It's a brightly coloured pop song that feels like the warmest days of summer, with a highly upbeat tone and exciting style, 'Vanish Into You' is a more melodic track that takes some of the darkness of the previous tracks away into brighter, sunnier territories.
It manages to feel a bit more mainstream in its compositions without feeling too safe - it feels like a song that could be huge on the radio without feeling too much like everything else out there, following musical trends while making something new and highly exciting with Gaga's signature artistry written all over it.
The track is immediately bright and striking with Gaga's loud and stunning vocals taking the forefront of the track; the track which had no instrumental for the first vocal notes in the composition before turning into a synth-lovers haven. It's a track with a sweeter sound than one may expect, and 'MAYHEM' is a lot brighter in sound than I (and a lot of others) expected it to be, but in all of the best ways possible.
It's clear that the album came out of a happy period in Gaga's life (which she's currently living in full-force still!), and it's so incredible to hear so much triumph from her at this point in her career. Things have been running incredibly well for her and it's a magnificent reign to witness unfolding in real time.
'Vanish Into You' is romantic in all of the most sickly sweet ways imaginable, and Gaga does this incredibly well. It has a deep sense of clarity and youthful energy scattered all throughout it, with the track coming together into something that is both fun and refreshing as well as quite unexpected given the direction many thought the album would wind up going in.
KILLAH:
The elements of funk come out in full swing for 'Killah', a poppier and spunkier track than what I could've ever imagined. It has all of the flair of 'Purple Rain'-era Prince while emulating his style in a way that has never been done before. The track is riddled full of delightfully sexy lyrics and sultry & soft vocal performances that make it another highlight of the album - making the tracks that much harder to put against each other and further proving as to why discussing each individual track is so crucial for this album in particular.
'Killah' shines throughout the entirety of the composition of the track; with the break at the end leading into one of the funkiest and most interesting/unique instrumental breaks Gaga will ever create. The stunning Prince-esque vocal notes laid throughout the track help to give the it even more foundation and charm, and 'Killah' is one of the most unexpected sounds Gaga has come out with in her career so far. It's a complete swerve in a direction that no one could have predicted, and it leads into a section of the album that has 80s influences all over it.
The title would lead you to believe that this song would be another dark pop track like 'Disease', but you would have been led in the wrong direction. 'Killah' has Prince written all over it, from Gaga's vocal performances to every aspect of the modernized 80s-esque instrumental track, the track has his signature style blended with Gaga's in a way that I never could've imagined.
'MAYHEM' does everything all at once and goes in directions I never would have or even could have expected in all of the best ways. Hearing synth-funk from Gaga is something I never could've guessed; and who knew that it would work this well. 'MAYHEM' might not be the dark album many of us expected, but it's something more than that; something that reflects on where and who Gaga is at this moment in history.
ZOMBIEBOY:
'Zombieboy' is the track I was most excited for when the album tracklist was unveiled - and the sound of the track has taken me completely off guard. It's more of the funk style of the previous handful of tracks, with a striking bassline and a particularly strong chorus that divides the tracks into two different melodies.
It isn't the dark track that one might expect when going into the album; instead relying on stunning funky bass and some shocking guitar moments throughout the track with a breakdown that feels almost reminiscent of 'Born This Way'-era Gaga, 'Zombieboy' is a track that goes against standards in the most upbeat and fun way possible.
The track has an unexpected disco dancefloor groove through and through, with the composition of the track feeling like nothing she has done before all while still being able to draw comparison to her previous albums. It's a completely unexpected sound for the track that was done with so much glitz and glam - feeling perfectly suited to Gaga.
LOVEDRUG:
'LoveDrug' uses more of Gaga's deeper vocal register in a way that feels somewhat similar to her style of singing on 'Joanne', with it being a more shimmering track that ticks until it blooms into stunning synths that are led in the right direction by Gaga's voice being the main light and instrument of the track.
It feels like more of that light and sunshine found on 'Garden Of Eden' and moreso 'Vanish Into You' - shedding some of the funk elements to open up the album to more experimentation and genre shifts using this track as a landmark in the next shift in sound. The guitars from 'Zombieboy' make appearances throughout 'LoveDrug', and it makes for another deeply layered track full of different impressive instrumental moments.
'MAYHEM' manages to be an incredible mix of both the hardships and highs of life, with 'LoveDrug' feeling like one of many high moments that a lifetime has to offer. It has a retro summer sound to it that helps to drive the album into another new direction just 8 tracks into the 14 track album.
It's a carefree track that feels more and more like dancing the night away when you warm up to it, and it goes into another cheerful and sunny direction for the album in a way that is completely different from the previous tracks while still phoning in some of the elements (like the guitar in particular) from the previous compositions to give the album a sense of cohesiveness.
HOW BAD DO U WANT ME:
'How Bad Do U Want Me' continues on with a similar vocal style to the previous track while having a chorus that blossoms into a light and airy pop song, feeling most like 'Joanne' and 'Chromatica' at times, the track is another breath of lighter, brighter air for the album.
'MAYHEM' isn't just dark and it truly showcases all of the different sides there are to life and living it. There are the moments of bliss, love, and self improvement throughout the themes that come together into one big harmony on 'MAYHEM', and 'How Bad Do U Want Me' feels like an almost reminiscent and nostalgic track.
The composition of the track is strikingly unique from the others, it feels much softer around the edges when compared to the rest of the album at this point on, and the melody does so many different things that it feels unlike any other songs. There is a great sense of variety within just the one track, and it manages to fit right in with the rest of the album despite it being so wildly different.
It feels more bittersweet than the previous tracks before blooming into something more positive. It feels like reminiscing on old romances all while focusing on a newfound romance that treats you better than anything else to ever happen to you at this point in your life; further continuing the cycle of love, life, and happiness found throughout the chaotic and somehow cohesive 'MAYHEM'.
DON'T CALL TONIGHT:
'Don't Call Tonight' has more of that neon 80s pop sound that was found on the previous track - with a soundscape that captures nostalgia despite being a brand new album. The track is lyrically more driven by heartbreak than the previous ones, with the lyrics being very literal and delightfully written for their subject matter.
It manages to be spunky while touching on the topic of heartbreak and how it can affect someone - something Gaga has had to deal with firsthand in the worst of conditions; but she's always risen above these occasions.
'Don't Call Tonight' also feels very summery, making the release of the album perfect for this time of the year so it has some time to settle and get replayed time and time again before the season is finally here. The album comes together in an incredibly unexpected way and all of the songs feel like they fit in with the others.
A song like this is something I never would've expected for 'MAYHEM', but it fits in better than one might expect it to. It's an incredibly welcomed addition to the album but it feels a bit less textured with less layers than some of the other tracks of the album - making it a song that focuses more on fun and its story which drives it to new heights.
'Don't Call Tonight''s strong suit is the lyrics and how well they come together. Gaga is both incredibly well-spoken and well-sung, and her pronunciation of the words for the song make the story and theme of the track clear and easy to understand while being a fun song to listen to.
SHADOW OF A MAN:
Another track that treads somewhat softly while packing a huge amount of punch, 'Shadow Of A Man' is deeply enjoyable with elements of pop and funk coming together into another danceable and instantly catchy track that captures the spirit of the album delightfully well.
'Shadow Of A Man' was the first glimpse into 'MAYHEM' that the public got - and it reverses back into the darker aspects of the album while still being an upbeat and highly fun track with those funk elements being brought back in to make the track bouncy and enjoyable to listen to.
The track uses more of the unconventional and unapologetic sounds that Gaga has become so known and cherished for - with the track marking another highlight of the album in a way that is once again unexpected and wickedly enjoyable on all fronts. It feels deeply like a singalong song at its core - with sections that are not too vocally complex and the occasional showcase of Gaga's different ranges all in one inviting and electrifying package.
THE BEAST:
'The Beast' is more vocally-driven than the other tracks of the album, with a soft and dimmed melody that booms in a way that is still soft to allow for the album to come to more of a ballad-lead closure point, 12 tracks into the album and Gaga still managed to find another way to switch up and experiment with her sound. 'MAYHEM' is truly unlike any other projects she has put out, but this track is comparable to both 'Chromatica' (vocally in particular) and 'Joanne' in style and sound.
It's a less captivating and more slow track that helps to ease listeners into the last two tracks which make up the ballad section of the album - it's a short but sweet segment that marks a crucial staple in Gaga's compositions and album style. Although this isn't a track with as much replay value as some of the albums other content, it is another incredible track that showcases another side of Gaga.
BLADE OF GRASS:
Written following the proposal of fiancé Michael Polansky, 'Blade Of Grass' is one of two full-on ballads on 'MAYHEM'. The direction of this track helps to ease the end of the album into 'Die With a Smile', with a romantic theme and soothing piano melody - 'Blade Of Grass' is one of Gaga's most touching and heartwarming ballads.
It's a track emotional enough to feel like it could bring me to tears, and it's a stunning pre-closer for the album. It truly showcases the love for Michael that Gaga has and the story behind the track makes it that much more heartfelt and meaningful. It's truly a delight to see and hear Gaga making music about true love rather than heartbreak - and this chapter of both her life and career open up countless doors to beauty at all turns.
DIE WITH A SMILE:
'Die With a Smile' manages to fit very snugly at the end of the album; making it fit in better than expected and suiting the themes that started with 'Blade Of Grass' and ended with the final notes of the album. When it's all said and done, 'Die With a Smile' provides something to smile and cry at when the party is over and you're left full of love and feelings of contentment.
Gaga and Bruno work together very well vocally and they make for a stunning duet full of gorgeous harmonies while being backed by a beautiful instrumental track. It's one of the most gorgeous tracks of the album lyrically - but a part of it doesn't feel like it belongs due to how much it has been played prior to the album; feeling more like a standalone track than one from the album.
Once you get used to the sound and conceptual aspects of 'MAYHEM', it all starts to make a lot more sense.
"The album is imbued with my love for music: a diversity of genres, styles, and dreams. It leaps from one genre to another in a manner that feels almost corrupt, and it culminates in love. That's my answer to all the chaos in my life: I find peace in love. Every song I wrote emerged from surrendering to different dreams tied to my past, almost like a recollection of all the bad decisions I've made throughout my life. There are moments where we sonically push the sound to extremes, and others where everything revolves around love. That, to me, represents true chaos. It's sometimes difficult to see the light, but I think what makes inner chaos more challenging is when you occasionally catch a glimpse of the sun. For this reason, the album offers a bit of everything. It's a complete experience."
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