Rating: 7.5/10
Iconic pop star Lady Gaga released her seventh studio album, “Mayhem,” on March 7. The album contains a versatile tracklist with moments reminiscent of her earliest albums and singles. Multiple tracks have seen commercial success, and Gaga’s subversive approach to pop has been welcomed with open arms.
The album begins with “Disease,” which has heavy electro-pop influences. The first track sets a powerful tone for the album with walls of thick sound. It calls on themes of tainted and painful love, common lyrical themes for Gaga. Her punchy vocals and screeching ad-libs immediately tell the listener she intends to defy the status quo.
“Abracadabra” is the album’s standout single, sporting a harsh, electronic backing. As if casting a spell, Gaga repeats stereotypical magic phrases in a manner anyone could jump to. While listening, it’s easy to see yourself dancing wildly to it in the dead of night.
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The music video for “Abracadabra,” which debuted during the 67th Grammy Awards, is quintessential Gaga. A large ensemble of dancers surround her in abstractly designed fashion pieces and dance as if their lives depend on it. The visuals call upon her earlier career with dance-centric music videos like “Bad Romance” and “Judas.”
“Garden of Eden” follows in the lead single’s footsteps by creating another dance hit. The line “I’m fallin’ over in my nine-inch heels” might reference the band Nine Inch Nails, whose influence listeners can identify. The scratchy, dark sound of the track reflects the band’s industrial touch.
The middle of the album shifts into funk influences. “Killah (feat. Gesaffelstein)” is reminiscent of David Bowie’s hit song, “Fame.” The high-pitched guitar riffs are hard to miss, transporting listeners directly to a ’70s disco.
“Zombieboy” is the shining star of this album, starting with a cheerleader-like call to boogie down. The bass line is seriously groovy, and its poppy tone is infectious. The lyrics reference feeling dead after a wild night out, perfect for following the club bangers that precede it on the album. It’s almost impossible not to move your body to this hit.
After the funk craze, the songs slow down and take a softer approach. “How Bad Do U Want Me” winds down with digital instrumentals and focuses on Gaga’s struggles in past relationships.
“The Beast” is similar in its slower, steadier beat and accusatory lyrics. Although the back half of the album isn’t as exciting as the first, it holds its merit in Gaga’s confessional faults.
“Mayhem” ends on a deliberately happy note. The second to last song, “Blade of Grass,” recounts her engagement to Michael Polansky and the love she finally found.
The closing song, “Die With A Smile,” featuring Bruno Mars, is as sweet as cotton candy. Their major key harmonies blend well, earning them a No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. The pair also won a Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, an impressive feat for both performers.
“Mayhem” calls upon many moments in Gaga’s career. The more emphatic pop songs sound like they could have been on one of her first three albums, with her catchy hooks and off-kilter persona.
The heavier, electronic-based songs better recall her “Artpop” and “Chromatica” eras. In every track, Gaga strives to be free in her art and express anything her mind can conjure.
The long-awaited album feels like a culmination of Gaga’s career, combining her roots and her more experimental work. The most appropriate place to listen is in the dark corners of the world, dancing and sweating with other Gaga fans. The genre-jumping and harsh sounds warrant the album’s chaotic name, and Gaga shows no sign of stopping her antics anytime soon.
