Lady Gaga’s highly anticipated seventh studio album, MAYHEM, is a bold, chaotic, and jubilant return to form.
Blending industrial dance, ’80s funk, grunge, and more, the album is a kaleidoscope of Gaga’s past and present personas. Here are six standout takeaways from this electrifying release.
1. A Collage of Gagas Past and Present
MAYHEM is a reassembled mirror of Lady Gaga’s artistic evolution.
From the industrial undertones of “Disease” echoing Born This Way’s “Heavy Metal Lover” to the stadium-sized anthem “Garden of Eden” channeling The Fame era, the album seamlessly weaves together her many personas.
It’s a celebration of her journey, proving she can revisit her roots without losing her edge.
2. Curated Chaos: Genre-Hopping at Its Best
The album thrives on its eclectic mix of styles. Tracks like “Perfect Celebrity” channel Nine Inch Nails’ gritty energy, while “Zombieboy” pays homage to disco with a glitzy, double-dutch chant.
The David Bowie–sampled “Killah” even ventures into psych-rock territory, complete with a hair-raising scream that leaves listeners begging for more.
3. Catchy Choruses and Unapologetic Anthems
Gaga’s knack for crafting unforgettable hooks is on full display. From the gibberish charm of “Abracadabra” to the defiant growl of “Shadow of a Man,” MAYHEM is packed with earworms.
The latter track, a reflection on her rise in male-dominated spaces, doubles as a rallying cry for female empowerment: “Watch me, I swear, I’ll dance in the shadow of a man.”
4. The Power of a Gaga Scream
Few artists can wield a scream like Lady Gaga. Whether it’s the electrifying roar on “Killah” or the pining yelps on “Vanish Into You,” her vocal prowess is unmatched.
Tracks like “Perfect Celebrity” showcase her ability to shift from sweet to snarling, proving she’s still a force to be reckoned with in a sea of whispery pop vocals.
5. Trip-Hop Revival on the Horizon?
With Gesaffelstein’s production influence, MAYHEM introduces murky, acid-tinged synths that hint at a trip-hop revival.
Tracks like “Perfect Celebrity” and “Killah” blend gritty beats with funk-forward grooves, suggesting a potential resurgence of the ’90s genre. Could Gaga be leading the charge for a new wave of experimental pop?
6. Gaga-isms Galore: Quirky, Bold, and Unforgettable
True to form, MAYHEM is packed with Gaga’s signature wit and flair.
From the cheeky “Tap on my vein, suck on my diamond blood” in “Perfect Celebrity” to the poetic “River in my eyes, I’ve got a poem in my throat” in “LoveDrug,” her lyrics are as vivid and eccentric as ever.
MAYHEM is a triumphant return for Lady Gaga, blending chaos, creativity, and catharsis into one explosive package.
By embracing her past while pushing boundaries, she delivers an album that’s both nostalgic and forward-thinking.
With its genre-defying sound and unapologetic energy, MAYHEM cements Gaga’s status as pop’s ultimate chameleon.
