If you were to ask me if an artist could successfully combine a romantic ballad that became a Grammy Song of the Year nominee with a song whose dance and electric-style pop music video opens with the words “dance or die” on a singular album, I would tell you it is highly unlikely. Yet there is clearly nothing Mother Monster cannot do. Lady Gaga’s newest album, “MAYHEM,” combines different styles of pop music in a chaotic but effective manner, further reviving her previous unique style of artistry.
The 14-track album is a welcome addition to Gaga’s discography as it revisits her original sound, being electric dance-pop with elements of rock and jazz. After her country-inspired work “Joanne” and the unsuccessful “Chromatica,” “MAYHEM” connects to the dance-pop of her signature style while creating new songs for her fans, also known as “Little Monsters,” who will undoubtedly cherish these as classics.
Gaga, in collaboration with Bruno Mars, released “Die With A Smile,” the first of the three songs released before the full album. The song provides a soulful combination of each of the artists’ singing styles and became wildly popular as well as earning a nomination for Song of the Year at the Grammys.
“Disease,” which Gaga released in Oct. 2024, reminded listeners of Gaga’s synth pop, though the song was not a risk-taking deviation from Gaga’s style, sounding like her previous electro-pop work.
The final song shared before the official release of the album, “Abracadabra,” reveals the magic of Gaga’s earlier music styles — the song, specifically the chorus, seems reminiscent of “Bad Romance” with nonsensical lyrics but a catchy, dance-y beat.
The best songs on the album combine new styles with featured artists and synth-pop sounds with those specific to Gaga. For example, “Killah” mixes French DJ and producer Gesaffelstein and Gaga’s style to make a song that sounds both ahead of its time and like an 80s remix of Gaga’s work. “Killah” further stands out on “MAYHEM” for its lyricism. The song tells a tale of seduction, building up the tension of a deadly yet sensual encounter. The tension ultimately subsides with the chorus, “I’m a killah / And, boy, you’re gonna die tonight.”
Another standout from “MAYHEM” is the high-energy dance anthem “Garden of Eden,” which tells a tale of seduction and cunningness filled with fun, energetic beats. The chorus begins with “I could be your girlfriend for the weekend / You could be my boyfriend for the night” and includes “Take you to the Garden of Eden / Poison apple, take a bite.”
A final favorite is “Perfect Celebrity,” which outlines the harsh reality of fame, as Gaga sings, “Choke on the fame and hope it gets you high / Sit in the front row, watch the princess die.” Gaga highlights the negative side of existing in the public eye. The combination of emotionally difficult lyrics with a beat that makes you want to dance epitomizes why I listen to Gaga — we hear her many multifaceted sides throughout a singular song.
While nearly all songs sound distinctly Gaga, “How Bad Do U Want Me” does not fit into the chaos. While a fun pop song, stylistically and lyrically, the track’s sound fits more with artists like Taylor Swift (even sparking the false theory Swift had written the song and performed background vocals herself). That is not to say the song is not impressive, but it lacks the cohesiveness with the rest of the tracks to belong in “MAYHEM.”
The central critique of this album, though, is that “MAYHEM” is not anything unexpected, especially when Gaga combined multiple genres of pop music. Yes, Gaga goes back to her long-celebrated roots in this album, but she paradoxically fails to do what she is known for: taking risks. That is not to say I think the music is less than wonderful, but when Gaga is known for her boldness in both sound and performance, there is room for listeners to desire something of a different sound.
Though “MAYHEM” may have minor drawbacks, the album effectively pulls together multiple types of sound and influences, crafting yet another Gaga work, which weaves soulful ballads with dance anthems.
