MARCH 27, 2025 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | By Zoe Smith (Staff Writer)
Lady Gaga has returned in full force. After releasing “MAYHEM” on March 7, she’s once again proving she will never be just another geriatric pop star and will continue making waves in music.
When she first announced her new album, “MAYHEM,” fans expected a return to Gaga’s original dance-pop style, a sound reminiscent of older works like “The Fame.” Instead, Gaga delivered a version of herself we had never seen before, which solidified why she will always be an all-time great.
Gaga had teased the public with visuals and her dark pop lead singles, leading many to expect her newest album to deliver a darker record. It’s true that songs such as “Disease” and “Abracadabra,” as well as the visuals surrounding the release of “MAYHEM,” have given the era a haunting theme. Instead of the entire album following that style, Gaga had much more to explore.
Gaga has a lot to say throughout the album. There is a level of clarity and depth to the music that we haven’t heard from her in a long time. There is an inner turmoil coursing through Gaga that she isn’t afraid to share with the listeners.
One of my favorite songs from the album is “Perfect Celebrity.” She discusses how she views her level of fame. Gaga dives into how her persona sometimes can feel like it’s bigger than just her. “You love to hate me/ I’m the perfect celebrity,” alluding to how stardom has affected her.
In an interview with Billboard, Gaga described fame as a love-hate relationship. As if an entry from her diary has been directly put into music, Gaga opens up about the life she has been living for the past few years.
One thing people didn’t expect to come out of this album was just how many genres Gaga included. From the dark pop of “Disease” and “Abracadabra” to hyperpop tracks like ‘How Bad Do You Want Me’—which some listeners compared to a Taylor Swift song—to Michael Jackson-inspired dance tracks like “Zombieboy” and “LoveDrug.”
“MAYHEM” is a messy patchwork of genres that came together perfectly to tell a story. It is chaos, embodying what mayhem is. Gaga created this record to show the general public that a deep, introspective artist still exists inside the legacy she has built as a persona.
Gaga let herself be led by her creativity, regardless of if she believed the results were going to be popular or well-liked. What defines Gaga is her willingness to embrace her weirdness, and it’s clear that was her intent with “MAYHEM.”
This is a top Gaga record. It has the potential to cement itself in her discography, much like “Born This Way” and “ARTPOP” did.” Similar to those records, Gaga was willing to take a leap of faith. She infused sounds and influences she is known for with genres she had yet to tackle, and they blend perfectly.I could tell from the first listen that “MAYHEM” is an album that won’t be easily forgotten. I can already feel that the cultural era Gaga has created alongside this record is far from over.