Lady Gaga's MAYHEM album cover.
Lady Gaga released her sixth solo studio album MAYHEM on March 7th of this year. She catapulted into pop icon status in 2008 with the release of her first album The Fame; with such megahits as Just Dance, Poker Face, and Paparazzi. After that she released The Fame Monster (the deluxe album for The Fame), and this album was a game changing pop album, and one of the best albums I’ve ever listened to. After this she released Born This Way in 2011, another iconic genre pushing album. Then Artpop in 2013, which was way before its time and not that commercially successful (although completely underrated in my opinion). Her most controversial album came out after that in 2016, Joanne. Many of her fans were confused and underwhelmed by the sudden genre switch to a country infused softer pop. I personally love this album and this was the first Gaga album I fully listened to. Chromatica came out in 2020 in the midst of the pandemic. This was her return to more classic pop like she used to do in Born This Way. Although it had some good hits on it, I found it underwhelming.
When she announced her new album MAYHEM, I was very curious where she would go with it. She’s changed genres and sounds so many times, and most of her fans (including me) want her to make another The Fame Monster. So what direction would she go in this timer? Well, me and most of her fans got what we wanted, because Mayhem is a nostalgic but contemporary pop album with anthem after anthem.
I am not a music expert or anything like that, I just love music and consume it all the time everyday. If you disagree with my opinions that’s obviously fine! Now, this is my review!
Track 1: Disease
When this first came out I was so flabbergasted. I was thinking “Classic Pop Gaga is back” and with something that finally sounds like The Fame Monster or Born This Way again. The imagery is weird and creepy, which reminds me of her song Teeth from The Fame Monster. But the song isn’t dated, or just another Just Dance, it’s still very present in its time. The vocal layers are so good, it all sounds so perfectly blended. 8/10
Track 2: Abracadabra
I also love this one. The instrumental during the hook is so good. The only flaw I think it has, is that the instrumental and the lyrics aren’t as hype during the verses. It seems like it’s kinda waiting for the hook. I listen to this song and find myself waiting for the good parts. But it’s still reminding me of how she shaped Pop music in her earlier years. 7/10
Track 3: Garden of Eden
This reminds me of LoveGame and Beautiful, Dirty, Rich. SHE’S BACK!!!!! I think Chromatica was trying to be this kind of Pop album. No notes. 10/10
Track 4: Perfect Celebrity
See this, unlike Abracadabra, has good and engaging verses while having a chiller instrumental during the verses. The hook is so good. Again, it reminds me of The Fame. She’s complaining about being a celebrity but not being annoying about it, which is nice. 8/10
Track 5: Vanish Into You
This reminds me of her more musical theatre side. It kind of sounds like it was a slow ballad, but then they remixed it into a pop song. I like the harmonies. Compared to the other songs on the album, it’s a little underwhelming. 5/10
Track 6: Killah
Now this reminds me of Artpop. 80s Pop-Rock vibe. I love how her voice softens when she says “killah.” It’s a fun juxtaposition. The instrumental bridge fits perfectly in the song. It feels like she’s taking her prey home and doing the things she’s talking about in the song. 9/10
Track 7: Zombieboy
Sparkly disco 70s vibe. I love it. The chant reminds me of Hollaback Girl by Gwen Stefani. I love the guitar. The electric guitar break makes me believe in a higher power. Basically all of these songs on the album could be singles (except vanish into you). 9/10
Track 8: LoveDrug
I love the LoveGame reference in the title. “Poem in my throat” is beautiful imagery as a lyric. That feeling of craving and fiending for attention or love to distract you when life sucks is so real. “I don’t wanna feel, I don’t wanna cry.” I love the electric guitar. The song was over so fast, now I’m sad, come back. 8/10
Track 9: How Bad Do U Want Me
This is a good slower song. I appreciate the creative song idea. Like I’m not the bad girl in your head, How bad do you want the real me. It reminds me of recent Taylor Swift. It’s not the best song on the album, but it’s not bad. 6/10
Track 10: Don’t Call Tonight
Her voice is great, but it’s kind of just a normal basic pop song. Not that creative. I like the daft punk kind of bridge though. 5/10
Track 11: Shadow Of A Man
It’s a good song concept and has a unique hook. I like the deep bass and the synth. It reminds me of Artpop. Her creativity on this album is really great. 7/10
Track 12: The Beast
This is a slower song. It reminds me of her song Monster. I feel like her strong belty voice is distracting from the chill, almost RnB instrumental. When her voice softens I think it sounds better. I like the guitar solo though. 5/10
Track 13: Blade of Grass
I love a good Gaga ballad. Her voice is so beautiful. I like the imagery of wrapping a blade of grass around your lover’s finger, it’s a sweet thing to do. Generally I love a gradual crescendo in a song, like when it starts off slow and builds up a beat. The feedback sound is beautiful. Sounds like the perfect classic slow sad song to end an album (which should have ended the album). 6/10
Track 14: Die With A Smile
This song was originally supposed to be a standalone single, but they ended up putting it on the album because it was so insanely successful. It doesn’t fit in with the experimental Pop during the rest of the album. When this first came out it was just a nothing song to me. It’s a basic radio Pop song that everyone will like. Its inclusion on the album really diminishes its overall value, although I do understand why they had to include it. 3/10
In conclusion, the highs on the album were super high, and the lows were just kind of mid. I really appreciate Gaga’s return to the kind of Pop she made at the beginning of her career.
Highest Score Potential: 140
Added Score: 96
Letter Score: B-