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Album review: Lady Gaga's 'Mayhem' is a masterfully curated chaos

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<div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DG4rfKfMiWC/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=675&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A529820.5%2C%22ls%22%3A528982.2999999523%2C%22le%22%3A529813.6999999285%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="746" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>Lady Gaga returns to the music scene in 2025 with “Mayhem,” an album that boasts a multi-faceted pop sound. Gaga and her team experiment with styles spanning several decades, a creative approach that may remind listeners of her earlier work, where she turned the pop formula on its head with bold artistry. “Mayhem” continues this tradition, delivering grand, genre-bending, yet ultimately pure pop concoctions.“Disease” and “Abracadabra” — the first two tracks, respectively — are dance-pop songs that were both released as singles prior to the album&#x27;s debut. “Disease” leans heavily on its dark pop energy, while “Abracadabra” is theatrical in its melody and vocal delivery. These songs — and “Die with a Smile” — have already received acclaim and renewed admiration from fans, but Gaga saved the best tracks for the album release.The third track, “Garden of Eden,” follows the same vein as “Disease” and “Abracadabra” — another rousing dance-pop song, albeit infused with a heavy, industrial sound. This track offers undeniable glimpses of “The Fame,” Gaga&#x27;s debut album. The transition from pre- to post-chorus makes this song a certified bop, featuring strong hooks, ear-wormy lyrics, and incredible choir vocals in the background, which lend an edge to the track. In my opinion, this could easily be “Mayhem’s” next single. And did I already mention how awesome the choir vocals are in the background? The next two songs, “Perfect Celebrity” and “Vanish Into You,” are another set of upbeat tracks infused with rock elements. “Perfect Celebrity,” in particular, showcases Gaga’s powerful, growly vocal inflections, which are also beautifully used in “Disease.” “Vanish Into You,” on the other hand, is a little more retro, with the tempo slowed down compared to the album’s earlier tracks, and it pulls the heartstrings a little bit. The song finds Gaga declaring her devotion to a romantic partner as she sings, “Saw your face and mine in a picture by our bedside. It was cold in the summertime. We were happy just to be alive.” It’s deeply romantic — I may have shed a few tears when I first heard Gaga crescendo to “Can I vanish into you?” at the end of the choruses. Gaga retains the retro feel at the album’s midway point but shifts the mood in “Killah” and “Zombieboy” with their groovy and funky sounds. These songs seem to serve as an intermission, reminding listeners of the singer-actress’s playful side.“Lovedrug,” “How Bad Do U Want Me,” “Don’t Call Tonight,” and “Shadow of a Man” continue to push the album’s retro sound as Gaga sings on tracks infused with ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s influences. The nostalgia hits differently with these tracks. Fans of Hall &amp; Oates, Cyndi Lauper, and Michael Jackson will be thrilled to hear the influence of these artists in the songs.The abovementioned songs are followed by “The Beast” and “Blade of Grass,” two ballads that explore different themes. “The Beast” is cryptic and moody, with possibly erotic undertones as Gaga sings, “I wanna feel the beast inside.” The vibe of the song is something I don’t think I’ve heard the artist explore in her previous body of work.Meanwhile, “Blade of Grass” is a heartfelt, soft-rock ballad, written, sung, and produced in the same vein as “Always Remember Us This Way.” In the song, Gaga sings, “I&#x27;ve been so lonely in this field, fighting a battle with no shield. Come on and wrap that blade of grass and we&#x27;ll make it last.” The previous songs on the album seem to offer a glimpse into Gaga’s current state: she is in love—and “Blade of Grass” appears to be the thesis of the album. Gaga herself revealed that the song is about her engagement to fiancé Michael Polansky. In an interview, she recounts a romantic moment with Polansky while they were in their backyard. He asked her how she would want him to propose, to which she replied, “Take a blade of grass and wrap it around my finger.”“Die with a Smile” closes the album seamlessly, continuing the romantic streak. The track is another powerful declaration of devotion to a romantic partner. Released in 2024, the song features Bruno Mars, and to this day, it continues to dominate global pop charts.“Mayhem” is a masterfully curated chaos, with a vision that caters to a wide demographic of pop music listeners. It is, undoubtedly, a return to form — the production is big and bold, the lyricism offers both depth and playfulness, and the sound is unafraid to boldly reference fellow icons and previous eras. Favorites: “Garden of Eden,” “Vanish Into You,” “Blade of Grass,” “Zombieboy”Bops: “Perfect Celebrity,” “Disease,” “Abracadabra,” “Killah,” “How Bad Do U Want Me,” “Die with a Smile”Growers: “The Beast,” “Lovedrug,” “Don’t Call Tonight,” “Shadow of a Man”<div>Reynaldo Pagsolingan Jr. is a pop culture critic and former television drama researcher. This review was originally published in his column, “<a href="https://www.walphs.com/2025/03/album-review-mayhem-lady-gaga.html">The Reception</a>.”</div>

Lady Gaga returns to the music scene in 2025 with 'Mayhem,' an album that boasts a multi-faceted pop sound.

Lady Gaga returns to the music scene in 2025 with 'Mayhem,' an album that boasts a multi-faceted pop sound.

Album review: Lady Gaga's 'Mayhem' is a masterfully curated chaos

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Album review: Lady Gaga's 'Mayhem' is a masterfully curated chaos

ABS-CBN News,

Reynaldo Pagsolingan Jr.

Published Mar 19, 2025 05:17 PM PHT

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