Lady Gaga – Mayhem
On May 25, Lady Gaga surprised her fans with a short but powerful teaser at the end of her concert film The Chromatica Stadium Tour. In just seven seconds, the message “LG7, Gaga Returns” was displayed while she struck an iconic Michael Jackson pose. After four years of radio silence—her last album “Chromatica” was released in 2020—the internet went wild. In the meantime, Gaga had released only one song: “Die With A Smile,” a duet with Bruno Mars. It became a massive hit and held the number-one spot on the Top 40 longer than any other track. Initially, it was supposed to remain a standalone single, but it was later confirmed that the song would be included on her new album.
In October, Gaga launched the first single from “Mayhem”: “Disease.” Although the song had great potential to dominate the charts, “Die With A Smile” remained so popular in the Netherlands that “Disease” only reached number 25 in the Top 40. Still, that didn’t stop Gaga. Its successor, “Abracadabra,” is an energetic dance-pop track with a catchy chorus. Sharp-eared listeners will notice a sample from “Spellbound” by Siouxsie and the Banshees, adding to the song’s mystical and hypnotic feel. The music video evokes memories of “Bad Romance,” immediately drawing comparisons to her earlier work.
In an interview, Gaga revealed that the album’s working title had long been “Perfect Celebrity.” Ultimately, she chose “Mayhem” because the album is a way to ‘reimagine a part of myself and life, including the aspects that aren’t always easy to accept.’ The track “Perfect Celebrity” is an emotionally charged song in which Gaga explores the inner conflict between her persona, Lady Gaga, and her true self, Stefani Germanotta. The combination of grunge elements and pulsating electropop creates a powerful, raw sound. Both lyrically and instrumentally, it is one of the most impressive songs on the album, featuring intense guitar riffs and layered electronic textures that perfectly translate her emotions.
Two days before the album’s release, it was announced that “Garden of Eden” would be the official anthem of the 2025 Formula 1 season. The up-tempo track features an infectious beat and a captivating lyric: ‘I can be your girlfriend for the weekend, you can be my boyfriend for the night.’ Too outstanding a song to be just an anthem!
Another standout track is “Zombieboy,” which excels with its mix of diverse instruments and an irresistible rhythm, making it a guaranteed dancefloor hit. The album also features several radio-friendly tracks, including “How Bad Do You Want Me.” This is an ode to her fiancé, Michael, where Gaga’s voice initially sounds soft and tender but transforms into a more powerful, intense tone in the bridge. The track is reminiscent of “Love Me Right” from her previous album “Chromatica.” In an interview, Gaga revealed that Michael asked her how he should propose. Her answer? ‘We were in our backyard, and I said, “Just take a blade of grass and wrap it around my finger.”‘ That spontaneous and pure love translated into a beautiful ballad called “Blade Of Grass,” undoubtedly one of the most stunning of her career.
Despite its ominous title, “The Beast” is a surprisingly vulnerable song. Still, the production remains grand, with an abundance of synthesizers making it danceable. The same goes for “LoveDrug,” “Vanish Into You,” and “Don’t Call Tonight,” all of which have a club-ready vibe. Gaga is known for her experimental approach, and this is especially evident in “Killah,” a collaboration with French DJ Gesaffelstein. She shared that she had wanted to work with him for ten years, and this track finally made that dream come true.
“Mayhem” was largely produced by Gaga herself, along with Gesaffelstein, Andrew Watt, and Bruno Mars (who only contributed to “Die With A Smile”). Her fiancé also had creative input and co-wrote several songs—something he had previously done on her last album “Harlequin.” The title “Mayhem” is synonymous with chaos—and that’s exactly what this album embodies. Gaga takes her listeners on a journey through a range of emotions and themes, from fear to love. At the same time, she honours her musical past, with subtle nods to previous albums. (9/10) (Interscope Records)
