Lady Gaga released a new studio album titled Mayhem through Streamline and Interscope Records on March 7. Mayhem is her most recent album since Chromatica in 2020. This album goes along well with her signature style, consisting of catchy pop songs, each with a perfect beat to dance to.
The first song on the album is “Disease.” It’s reminiscent of her 2011 album Born This Way. The meaning of this song is a bit harder to catch, but it seems to be about embracing the parts of herself that scare her. It’s about being proud of oneself, no matter what others think. Many of Gaga’s fans believe the lyrics are a little bland compared to the rest of her music, even though the song sounds good. It’s a little heavier, not as bubbly as other songs.
The next song is “Abracadabra.” It’s about finding magic in the challenge of life and darkness. It’s incredibly catchy, the type of song to get stuck in someone’s head for days. It’s very upbeat.
“Garden of Eden” is about exploring temptation and desire. It is a very underrated addition to the album. The song is catchy and perfectly captures the intoxicating thrill that the girl in the lyrics feels. It sounds very intimate and intense. There are many biblical references to the Garden of Eden and the fall from purity it represents.
“Perfect Celebrity” encapsulates the popular topic of the downsides of being famous. It shows both the highs and lows of fame. The song is one of the less catchy on the album, but the beautiful lyricism is challenging to ignore.
“Vanish Into You” is a love song. Gaga sings about being in love and seeing her lover in all aspects of her life. The sound of the song almost elevates it to a degree that screams obsession. It almost sounds eerie.
“Killah” features French DJ Gesaffelstein. It’s sultry and suggestive, and the lyrics are slightly inappropriate.
“Zombieboy” is another somewhat eerie-sounding song about a love affair. It’s a tribute to Rick Genest, Gaga’s friend, who passed away in 2018.
“LoveDrug” is about how addictive and destructive love can be. Specifically, Gaga addresses the way that love is sometimes used to distract from a bigger problem or heartbreak. This is a favorite on the album; it’s very catchy and easy to get addicted to. It’s also upbeat and sounds like getting lost in the thrill of impulsivity.
“How Bad Do U Want Me” is a unique song for Gaga. It sounds more like a Taylor Swift song, more on the light pop side rather than Gaga’s usual heavy sound. It’s about testing how much someone wants her. He likes the idea of her, but she wants to know if he wants the true her.
“Don’t Call Tonight” is about the ups and downs of a destructive relationship. It’s about being hurt by someone over and over.
“Shadow Of A Man” is another song that will stick in listeners’ heads. It’s about self-empowerment and being herself. The lyrics are powerful but obscure, a typical thing in Gaga’s music. It sounds powerful.
“The Beast” is similar to “Disease.” It also revolves around embracing herself, even the parts she wants to suppress. However, the slow beat makes the song intense and heavy, compared to the upbeat sound of “Disease.”
“Blade Of Grass” is also slow but much softer and sweeter. The blade of grass is a metaphor for an engagement ring. It’s a dedication to Michael Polansky’s romantic proposal to her in 2024, according to Glamour.com.
The last song on the album is “Die With A Smile” featuring Bruno Mars, which became very popular on social media after its release in August of 2024. Lady Gaga and Mars’ voices pair beautifully with the soft, intimate music. The lyrics are beautiful, telling the story of two people and the strength of their love.
This album deserves a 5/5 for its beautiful lyrics and catchy sounds. There aren’t any bad songs. It’s a fantastic album, especially listening to it as a long-time Lady Gaga fan.
