Despite being released on March 7, the 14-track album MAYHEM has been years in the making—some might say since the foundation of her music career—with every album and single released contributing to the mosaic and evolution present in this final product. Feeling disconnected from her stage identity, she rediscovered and embraced the madness that allowed her to rise to stardom in the late 2000s through writing the record.
The singles released in anticipation, “Disease” and “Abracadabra,” functioned as a thesis for this new era, both thematically and sonically. Gaga allows listeners to dive headfirst into the haunting synth and 80s influence that permeates the album—as if reconnecting with an old friend. Meanwhile, “Abracadabra” stands out with its bold, brassy production, immersing listeners in a whirlwind of dark, danceable chaos.
Logically, many of the songs feel like evolutions of prior works and capture the story of her varied discography. Notably, “LoveDrug” feels like a thematic sequel to her hit 2008 single “LoveGame”. While both take the form of dance-pop anthems, the latter is introspective, likening love to dependence. Alternatively, one of the record’s concluding songs, “Blade of Grass”, retains the core sound of “MAYHEM” while being an emotional ballad that encapsulates the powerful songwriting ability she demonstrated on her country-inspired 2016 album, “Joanne.”
The album features many interpolations of noted influences during her album creation. Whether it is David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” on “Vanish Into You” or a more personal reference to the “Born This Way” singer’s late friend “Rick Genest”—affectionately known as Zombie Boy— on a song of that same name, Gaga’s references speak to the rediscovery she had of herself while creating the album by paying homage to her longtime inspirations.
“MAYHEM” is unapologetically pop, and as Gaga’s fan base—The Little Monsters—would say, she “reheated her nachos.” This comical expression, used on internet spaces, reflects her ability to perfectly recapture a sound that had been long absent while still feeling fresh and inspired. Gaga’s latest release is a love letter to her longtime fans and an invitation to let go, be free, and enjoy the mayhem!
