Lady Gaga’s MAYHEM isn’t just a return to pop—it’s a battle cry. Blending raw lyricism with pulsing electro-grunge, the album sees Gaga confronting the chaos of fame, identity, and self-doubt head-on.
Lady Gaga’s latest album, MAYHEM, is more than just a return to pop—it’s a full-throttle collision between the artist she once was and the artist she has become. After years of exploring jazz, traditional singer-songwriter territory, and Hollywood stardom, MAYHEM reminds listeners why they fell in love with Gaga in the first place. However, rather than simply recycling her early electropop glory, she injects it with newfound intensity, grappling with themes of fame, identity, and the pressures of public life.
The album’s genesis was heavily influenced by Gaga’s fiancé, Michael Polansky, an entrepreneur who also serves as one of its executive producers. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Gaga revealed that Polansky encouraged her to embrace her pop roots once again. But instead of chasing trends, she turned inward. “I started to think about what makes me me,” she said. “What are my references? What are my inspirations?” That introspection led to a record that is as much a love letter to her past as it is a brutal confrontation with it.
Track-by-Track Walkthrough
MAYHEM pulsates with a restless energy, a tug-of-war between personas. Across its runtime, Gaga weaves together industrial beats, distorted synths, and raw lyricism, creating an album that feels like both a reinvention and a reckoning.
“Disease” – The dark-pop opener that set the tone for the album. Its lyrics, “I can be your doctor, I can cure your disease,” immediately pull listeners into a toxic love story. The track created major hype for Gaga’s return, though some argue “Abracadabra” should have been the lead single.
“Abracadabra” – A high-energy, dance-driven continuation of the dark-pop aesthetic. The beat makes it one of the most upbeat tracks, and her SNL performance showcased its electrifying nature, further fueling excitement for a potential tour.
“Garden of Eden” – A song reminiscent of Gaga’s Born This Way era. With early 2000s synth-pop influences and club-inspired lyrics, it follows “Abracadabra” seamlessly while keeping the dance energy alive.
“Perfect Celebrity” – A track drawing inspiration from Nine Inch Nails, reflecting on the unhealthy obsession with fame. The raw, straightforward lyrics make it one of the album’s most thought-provoking moments.
“Vaish Into You” – A clear nod to David Bowie, featuring an 80s electro-pop sound. The chorus and backing track feel like a homage to the new wave era.
“Killah” (ft. Gesaffelstein) – Another 80s-inspired track but with a darker, more industrial approach. The live SNL performance gave it a fresh perspective, making it stand out even more.
“Zombieboy” – A playful mix of 80s synth-pop and early 2000s elements. While it may not be the strongest track, the unique production makes it a fun listen, earning it comparisons to Hollaback Girl.
“LoveDrug” – A shift towards pop-rock, blending in with Gaga’s earlier work. The track carries emotional weight, making fans eager to hear more about its inspiration.
“How Bad Do U Want Me” – A slower techno-pop track that has sparked fan theories, including speculation that Taylor Swift is on backing vocals. The reputation-esque vibe makes it both catchy and relatable.
“Don’t Call Tonight” – A song that veers away from the themes of love and longing, instead depicting a toxic relationship. Gaga’s vocal delivery adds to its emotional depth.
“Shadow of a Man” – A return to dance-pop with clear Michael Jackson influences. The fast-paced chorus mirrors Smooth Criminal but maintains a fresh and unique take.
“The Beast” – An electro-ballad signaling the album’s winding-down phase. While vocally strong, it doesn’t stand out as much as other tracks.
“Blade of Grass” – A stripped-down ballad, moving away from electronic elements. Its focus on Gaga’s relationship with her fiancé adds a personal touch.
“Die With A Smile” (ft. Bruno Mars) – A melodic duet that closes the album on a heartfelt note. Despite initial doubts about its placement, the song ultimately ties the album’s themes of love—both good and bad—together beautifully.
Critical Reception
MAYHEM has been met with widespread acclaim, with critics praising its bold sonic choices and raw thematic depth. The New York Times lauded it as “a thrilling, anxiety-ridden exploration of the costs of celebrity,” while Rolling Stone described it as “her most sonically ambitious album since ARTPOP.”
One of the most common points of discussion is the album’s thematic intensity. As the New York Times review noted, “Gaga isn’t just revisiting pop—she’s interrogating it. MAYHEM is a confrontation with the expectations placed on women in entertainment, an exorcism of the personas she’s had to wear.” Pitchfork similarly praised its “electro grunge” aesthetic, calling it “a much-needed injection of chaos into the pristine landscape of modern pop.”
Album Overview
While MAYHEM may be a return to pop, it isn’t a comfortable one. Gaga isn’t interested in nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. Instead, she uses the genre as a vehicle to explore her anxieties, her fame, and the suffocating expectations that come with being a pop icon. This isn’t the same artist who emerged in the late 2000s with a penchant for disco sticks and telephone-themed epics. This is a woman who has seen the heights and the pitfalls of superstardom and now wields that experience as both a weapon and a shield.
For longtime fans, MAYHEM is a thrilling reminder of Gaga’s unparalleled ability to merge high-concept art with infectious pop music. For newer listeners, it’s an introduction to an artist who refuses to be boxed in. The album is a statement, a challenge, and above all, a declaration: Lady Gaga isn’t just back—she never left. She’s just choosing, once again, to show us a different side of the mayhem.
Rodrigo García-Villoslada
