Lady Gaga’s new album, Mayhem, is an adjunct to her already legendary career. Having constantly pushed the boundaries of pop with every album, she’s now taken it to a whole new level with this one. It’s clear that Gaga’s unapologetically diving deeper into her artistic side, mixing energy with vulnerability, and the result is nothing short of spectacular. I can honestly say Mayhem is a step in the right direction for her, giving all the listeners a more adventurous side while still giving us those classic vocals. Trust me, this album is worth every ounce of its name.
This album was released on Mar. 25, through Streamline and Interscope Records. Gaga partnered with a few different artists during the making of this album, pulling elements from different genres. The lyrics explore themes of self-discovery, public image, and ways to escape. Two singles were released before the rest of the album, called “Disease” and “Abracadabra.”
My favorite track is called “LoveDrug,” which talks about endless emotions. It constantly calls the emotion of love an addiction. This is the eighth track off of Mayhem, and Gaga repeatedly mentions running away from her emotions but still wanting to find love and not be alone. The chorus is quite repetitive and says, “Need your love, your love drug, your love drug,” but the beat and the guitar in the background make it an enjoyable song. Gaga is known for her dynamic vocals, and she proves her skills once again in Mayhem.
The first track, “Abracadabra,” was a single that was released in February, and it’s been all over the radio ever since. It has a catchy chorus, mostly filled with the word abracadabra, obviously. She adds some nonsense words that mesh with the music very well, similar to the beats in one of her previous hits, “Bad Romance,” where she has a lot of time spent just spewing out random phrases. Gaga has tried to cast a spell on us, and I think that it’s worked.
One song that is a bit too intense for me, but I think has an important message, is “Perfect Celebrity” because it is something that every person with a remote amount of fame has to go through. With recent stories in the media of celebrities getting hate, Gaga made a more than necessary song that everyone should listen to. She rips not only into the industry but into herself as well throughout the entirety of the song. The chorus says, “So rip off my face in this photograph/You love to hate me, you love to hate me,” which depicts the feeling that no matter how hard she tries, people will still hate her just because she is a celebrity.
Arguably, the most impressive song on Gaga’s new album is “Vanish Into You” because of the intentional and creative vocals. They are accompanied by guitar and some distinguished rhythms, making anyone who listens want to drop everything and dance. I found myself bobbing to this melody even after the song was over. Gaga creates some harmonies with herself through the song’s exceptional chorus, using every inch of her vocal range. Pop fans appreciate Gaga for her new exploration in the pop industry, with this impressive song a part of an even more impressive album.
Mayhem is the perfect combination of chaos, pure pop brilliance, and just what we didn’t know we needed. Gaga has managed to create an album that is an artist’s statement and a party track all in one, proving once more that she can offer both substance and enjoyment. Whether someone is in the mood for moral lessons or simply wants something to dance around to with friends, Mayhem should be their choice. It’s a must-listen, so plug in some earbuds, turn it up, and let Gaga guide you through the day, song by song. I promise it won’t be regretted.
