Released on Mar. 7, 2025, “Mayhem” is the 7th studio album of popstar Lady Gaga. The album was recorded in the legendary Shangri-La studio, notable for being the location where many chart-topping albums such as “Igor” and “Yeezus” were recorded.
The project begins with the lead single “Disease.” The track holds a familiar pop-style sound that Lady Gaga popularized in the early 2000s with songs such as “Poker Face” and “Just Dance.” Accompanying this sound are lyrics that paint a theme of love and obsession: “Plagued with all your memories / You reach out and no one’s there.”
Second in the project, “Abracadabra” continues the album with a style that mixes pop and disco. Released before her album, “Abracadabra” peaked at number five on the Billboard Global 200. Lyrics from the song, such as “sing for me a sinful melody” continue the theme from “Disease.”
Following “Abracadabra,” “Garden of Eden” brings back the sound of the early club songs that first made Lady Gaga popular. The track uses a catchy beat along with fast-paced vocals from Gaga to keep listeners hooked.
In “Perfect Celebrity,” Gaga sings about the pressures put on America’s celebrities. The lyrics “I’m made of plastic like a human doll” show how Gaga views the way she’s treated by the masses, as nothing more than a plaything to keep them entertained.
The most vocally impressive track of the album, “Vanish Into You,” exhibits the skill of Lady Gaga, with her vocals rising above the disco-inspired beat. The lyrics of the song reflect an idea of true love, with lines such as “We were happy just to be alive” showing a non-materialistic happiness.
A distinct musical change is made in the song “Zombieboy.” The record uses a catchy bass line and guitar solo to meld with Gaga’s vocals. The unique sound makes “Zombieboy” one of the best songs on the album.
Once again, the idea of love is prominent with “LoveDrug.” Gaga opens up about issues with breaking up with lyrics such as “Thought we’d last a lifetime, when I’m mumbling alone.” The chorus supports this by comparing love to a hit of a drug.
“Don’t Call Tonight” uses synth and bass guitar to form a nostalgic pop-funk sound. This works together with the theme of getting back together with someone, which is heard in the lyrics, “Don’t call tonight unless you want to hurt me.” With both the nostalgic sound of the music and the lyrics, the past seems to cloud the track.
Foreshadowing the conclusion of the album, “Blade Of Grass” proves to be the most melancholic song in “Mayhem.” Slow-paced guitar and piano set the mood with Gaga’s vocals hinting at sadness. The lyrics of the song support this mood with lyrics such as “I’ve been so lonely in this field, fighting a battle with no shield.”
The album finishes on a beautiful note. “Die With A Smile” is a collaboration with singer and producer Bruno Mars. Using the combined vocals of Gaga and Mars along with a slow but deliberate beat, “Die With A Smile” is the quintessential love song. This song was initially released as a single in August of 2024, but it was later added to “Mayhem.” This gave it time to become the fastest song to reach two billion streams on Spotify.
“Mayhem” proved that despite decades in the music industry, Lady Gaga can continue to expand her creativity. Regardless of it being somewhat disorganized, the album uses a variety of styles and messages that reflect the ever-changing expression of Lady Gaga.