Atwood Journal’s writers dive into the dazzling chaos and creativity of Girl Gaga’s newest album ‘MAYHEM,’ from her return to pop and inside battle with fame to unleashing the brand new period of dance pop.
Featured listed here are Atwood writers Bárbara Martínez Campuzano, Brian Denney, Danielle Holian, Dimitra Gurduiala, Josh Weiner, Kevin Value, and Noa Jamir!
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To begin, what’s your relationship with Girl Gaga’s music?
Josh Weiner: I’m proud to say I’ve been within the Little Monster Camp since simply in regards to the starting. I used to be in eleventh grade within the 2008-09 faculty yr, when Girl Gaga’s first wave of hits occurred within the type of “Simply Dance,” “Poker Face,” “Paparazzi” and extra. A staggering 16 years have since handed, however I’ve continued to be a fervent admirer of the Mom Monster and have loved every of her ensuing releases. I’m glad that the longest dry spell between albums (5 years!) of her profession is now over, and I’m excited to share my ideas on her newest work, MAYHEM.
Noa Jamir: Equally to Josh, Girl Gaga’s music was a fairly large a part of my childhood. Again then her music was at all times enjoying on prime 40 radio, and it appeared like she was making headlines each week. Even if you happen to didn’t contemplate your self a fan, you knew who she was. Extra lately – perhaps throughout the previous six or seven years or so – my connection to Gaga’s music has deepened past her radio hits. After seeing the 2018 remake of “A Star is Born” starring her and Bradley Cooper, I spotted there was a lot extra to her artistry than what meets the attention. I started to see her for what she is: a real artist by means of and thru. That film, amongst different issues she’s accomplished through the years, confirmed the world that she places her all into each inventive endeavor. Moreover, her means to shapeshift out and in of genres, from pop, to jazz, to folk-adjacent genres and extra has raised the bar for contemporary pop stardom, and her new undertaking MAYHEM is not any exception.
Kevin Value: My earliest reminiscence of listening to the title “Girl Gaga” was again in 2008 once I flew with my mother to Florida to go to my uncle and he made us watch her efficiency on the Miss Universe stage. I used to be instantly intrigued but confused as to why my very conservative uncle sat us down to observe your entire efficiency of “Simply Dance” and was amazed by her presence, however that may be a true testomony to her highly effective aura. Ever since that introduction, I’ve been following her profession and contemplate her probably the most influential artist of our technology. She by no means stops pushing the boundaries of what music means, feels, and even seems to be like. Girl Gaga is nothing however an icon.
Brian Denney: I first realized I used to be a Girl Gaga fan once I caught myself watching the clock at school each day in eighth grade, ready for the bell to ring at precisely 3:05 so I may dash to fulfill my carpool. Day by day, like magic, Poker Face would play on KIIS FM at round 3:15, and it rapidly grew to become my favourite afternoon ritual that I couldn’t miss.Monitor after monitor, I discovered myself shopping for all of the 99-cent iTunes singles off The Fame till I lastly gave in and purchased the entire album. That was the second I knew: I wasn’t simply listening to Gaga—I used to be a fan. Since then, I’ve adopted each flip, each reinvention, and each sudden profession transfer. I’ve seen her in live performance, and caught together with her period to period – by means of dance-op, jazz, and even Home of Gucci.
Bárbara Martínez Campuzano: I’ve at all times admired Girl Gaga and her music, however I don’t suppose I appreciated her sufficient as a toddler. Then, ten years in the past when she carried out a tribute for The Sound of Music, I used to be in full awe of her vocals. I started to take heed to her in lots of locations, by means of her subsequent albums, and even within the films she performed in like A Star Is Born and Home of Gucci. Not solely do I contemplate her a terrific musician with a voice the world can’t stay with out, however she’s a terrific actress as properly. There are songs of hers that I contemplate timeless, akin to “Born This Approach,” which can be very inspiring for a lot of, and “Unhealthy Romance.”
Dimitra Gurduiala: For me, she is an icon. She’s been virtually a legendary determine who has accompanied me principally all my life, though I solely began following her critically after listening to a number of covers of her songs on Glee, my favorite sequence once I was youthful. I already knew hits like “Paparazzi” and “Poker Face,” danced to “LoveGame” with my associates and sang “Simply Dance” on the karaoke, however the actual turning level was the episode of Glee the place they sang “Born This Approach.” At that second, one thing shifted. Slowly however certainly, I began to take heed to her music increasingly more, to think about her as an icon of free speech and expression, reasonably than only a singer. Though she will not be one of many artists I take heed to probably the most, I started to have an excessive amount of respect and admiration for her, which I proceed to really feel to at the present time.
Danielle Holian: I’ve ALWAYS been a fan – from discovering “Simply Dance” and “Poker Face” on the music video TV channels, I’ve been hooked ever since! After every album launch, I’d get the bodily CD and actually take heed to it on repeat till I knew every lyric and beat to bop to. Girl Gaga is one among my idols and a music artist who made me really feel impressed to jot down songs, finally working within the music business as a journalist and publicist. I’ve been a part of the Little Monsters membership for a really very long time, and with many songs to resonate and bop out to, I’m glad to be a part of this neighborhood. I’m thrilled to debate my ideas about MAYHEM.
What are your preliminary impressions and reactions to MAYHEM?
Noa: The primary take heed to MAYHEM felt like coming dwelling and kicking off your sneakers after a protracted day; it felt like an enormous reduction, a breath of recent air. The report has a sound that feels so acquainted and so Gaga, but nonetheless she manages to create a totally new world inside it. It’s a enjoyable, thrilling sonic world during which she appears actually assured and cozy in her artistic-skin. Although there’s themes of existentialism and moments the place she struggles with internal-conflict, I initially interpreted the album as being a celebration of falling in love, each with someone and with life itself, in addition to showcasing her journey by means of the chaos of affection and life.
Kevin: MAYHEM is a quintessential Gaga report. Each music has this guttural sense of wanting to interrupt free from the norm and pressure the emotion to middle stage. She does this throughout your entire album, throwing pure pop bliss in your face whereas uncooked vulnerability is hidden all through her iconic ballads, nevertheless it nonetheless brings an amazing sense of pleasure to expertise. After the preliminary hear, it was troublesome to search out anything to take heed to in the mean time.
Josh: My preliminary thought was that the title is kind of correct. There’s lots occurring all throughout this hectic report, and it quantities to a variety of sonic commotion. However the method works – it’s one other very robust report from the Mom Monster, and a helluva lotta enjoyable to take heed to, at that.
Brian: MAYHEM is the primary Gaga album shortly the place my rapid response is to show the amount up. It simply looks like her roots – daring, just a little chaotic, and utterly unafraid to go massive. There’s a confidence right here that makes it enjoyable from begin to end, leaning into new influences with out ever shedding its pop core.
It’s additionally precisely the type of album I count on from an artist as large as Girl Gaga. The sound is big, the manufacturing is elevated, and it by no means performs it secure. When you’re on the prime of pop music, there’s a duty to push the style ahead – to make music that deserves the popularity it’s inevitably going to get. MAYHEM delivers on that.
Bárbara: This album is, to me, unpredictable as it’s what we may count on by Girl Gaga: it’s its title. The songs do give off chaos, in addition to confidence, turmoil, boldness… All of it turns into Mayhem and I like it. I at all times take heed to the albums by order, so with “Illness,” “Abracadabra,” and “Backyard of Eden” I knew immediately this was one other creative, daring Girl Gaga album.
Dimitra: Simply as my colleagues have already stated earlier than me, it’s a report that screams Gaga far and wide. It’s a breath of recent air, completely sudden, so acquainted but in addition so modern. I may simply already name it one of many albums of the yr.
Danielle: I loved the rapid boldness and chaos of getting into the world of MAYHEM for the very first time. It was an exciting expertise listening to a sound that’s so acquainted, but Girl Gaga remains to be capable of catch me off guard. I really like her confidence, the expectational lyrics, and enthusiasm all through the album – whereas she shows vulnerability with a way of pleasure. It was an pleasing hear from starting to finish. Wishing I may replay, and take heed to it for the primary time once more!
How does this album evaluate to 2020’s Chromatica, and the remainder of Girl Gaga’s latest discography – what are probably the most putting similarities or variations?
Noa: MAYHEM has a really comparable essence to Chromatica; I’d say they’re undoubtedly sisters. Chromatica walked in order that MAYHEM may run. And but, they’re nonetheless fairly totally different data in their very own methods. To me, Chromatica was an album of its time. The title alone jogs my memory of being within the throes of the pandemic when the collective unrest was rising every day. Songs like “Rain on Me” and “Enigma” off Chromatica outlined my 2020 and had been on the prime of my Spotify Wrapped that yr. The heaviness that got here with the COVID-19 lockdown has been considerably lifted in 2025, and for that cause (and possibly many extra causes), Gaga sounds extra liberated now than ever earlier than. On prime of that, MAYHEM appears to be very disco/funk impressed. It’s virtually as if Gaga wrote this report as a tribute to a few of her earliest inspirations. Every music looks like an homage to ‘80s pop, disco, and funk, (there are even hints of rock too), with sounds just like one thing you’d discover in a Prince or Bowie discography.
Josh: I can see that it features as a sequel to Chromatica of kinds, though it’s additionally removed from a clone of it. This discrepancy may partially be resulting from the truth that the 2 albums share virtually not one of the similar producers – BloodPop, Benjamin Rice, and Axwell vs. Andrew Watt, Cirkut, and Gaga herself – or visitor artists, for that matter – Ariana Grande, Elton John, and Blackpink vs. Bruno Mars and Gesaffelstein. However hey, I’m simply glad that come what might, Gaga can at all times stay her ever-entertaining self and hold various up her inventive decisions.
Kevin: Chromatica was purely a dance report, even acknowledged by Gaga. It was meant to get you off your ft throughout a really darkish time, however I really feel MAYHEM stands tall subsequent to all her earlier work. The similarities are considerably there, however the variations outshine the disco/party-style sounds Chromatica was crammed to the brim with. All of the songs on MAYHEM are cohesive to 1 one other, with Gaga’s gargantuan voice on the forefront floating throughout sinister pop riffs and transitioning seamlessly to her jazzy/bubblegum pop aspect which can be closely influenced by her love of David Bowie and the “art-pop” period within the ’80s. Each data belong subsequent to one another in her discography, however MAYHEM is Gaga maturing again into her roots.
Brian: It actually takes a relisten to completely keep in mind how unhinged a few of Girl Gaga’s early albums like Born This Approach are – the place she jumps from immediately recognizable Billboard-charting singles to totally wild tracks like “Authorities Hooker” and “Scheibe.” I used to be secretly hoping for a return to that stage of unexpectedness on MAYHEM, however what we acquired is rather more polished and easy. I believe that’s okay – it’s part of her evolution as an artist, and MAYHEM brings new parts to her discography that hold the gathering thrilling.
Bárbara: I believe there may be an essence to Girl Gaga that may be seen and listened to in each of her albums. She is aware of easy methods to make a music value dancing to, a great pop monitor. I believe I appreciated that from Chromatica, particularly together with her collaborations with Ariana Grande and BLACKPINK. Her new album is danceable, however the beats sound heavier, bolder. I’ve known as this new album daring, though up to now we’ve seen her launch issues that had been much more wild and risqué, as a result of her that means of mayhem might trace on the modifications Girl Gaga has undergone all through her profession up thus far. Every music is thrilling and recent, and so they discover new genres like synth-pop whereas Chromatica was extra of a home and dance pop report.
Danielle: With every launch from Girl Gaga, what sometimes stands out first is that I do know it’s a Gaga music. There’s no report that I dislike, which makes placing her music on shuffle thrilling. Chromatica is undeniably a dance album, a vibrant escape designed to carry spirits throughout a darkish interval, as Gaga herself acknowledged. Nonetheless, MAYHEM stands proudly alongside her whole catalog, carving out its personal identification. Whereas it shares some similarities with Chromatica, its variations – significantly in tone and sound – shine a lot brighter. The songs on MAYHEM movement collectively effortlessly, with Gaga’s colossal voice taking middle stage, gliding over darkish, sinister pop riffs after which effortlessly transitioning into her playful, jazzy, and bubblegum pop influences. You’ll be able to hear the echoes of her deep admiration for David Bowie and the art-pop motion of the ’80s all through the album. Each data undoubtedly deserve a spot subsequent to one another in her discography, however MAYHEM marks a return to Gaga’s roots, a robust evolution of her artistry. Regardless of the style or theme, I at all times really feel giddy to take heed to her music.
Girl Gaga teased MAYHEM with “Die With a Smile,” “Illness,” and “Abracadabra.” Are these singles devoted representations of the album?
Noa: This could possibly be an unpopular opinion, however whereas “Illness” and “Abracadabra” match seamlessly on MAYHEM, I don’t suppose “Die With A Smile” sonically nor stylistically is sensible on it. Although I believe that music is totally stunning, I really feel as if it might need made extra sense as a stand-alone single. Even the music video for it has little or no to do with the world of MAYHEM, whereas the music movies for “Illness” and “Abracadabra” really feel like chapters within the overarching story Gaga is making an attempt to inform with this report. I additionally don’t love the truth that the album ends with “Die With A Smile,” a music that got here out practically 6 months previous to its launch. I really feel like tacking on a music that’s already been launched on the finish of an album is usually just a little anticlimactic, and that’s how I felt with this report. Regardless, the music is a shocking collaboration between two pop icons, that a lot is tough to disclaim.
Josh: I see what Noa means and I agree you could inform that this music doesn’t slot in so completely with the remainder of the album, because it sounds fairly totally different from the remainder of the tracks. However then once more, it was such an enormous hit that I can see why they couldn’t resist the urge to tack it on. Having or not it’s the very finish, virtually like a bonus monitor, appears to be the most effective place to incorporate the music on the monitor listing if it was going to be included in any respect.
However hey, sufficient throwing shade – “Die With a Smile” is a superb collaboration and a testomony to Girl Gaga’s ever-enduring star energy and hit-making capabilities, so I’m glad that it was finally included. As for “Illness,” and “Abracadabra,” I’ll agree that these songs are extra correct representations of the remainder of MAYHEM stylistically, so it made sense to make them each this album’s lead singles and opening two tracks. In each regards, they function a devoted preview of what’s to come back.
Noa: That is sensible Josh, and it truly type of modifications my perspective of “Die With A Smile” ending this album! Additionally, based on a Spotify fan convention, Gaga defined that the album deliberately begins at its most chaotic level, whereas step by step changing into much less chaotic because the tracklist progresses, symbolizing the “mayhem” ending. With that data in my thoughts, “Die With A Smile” makes extra sense on this album, particularly following a robust love music like “Blade of Grass.”
Kevin: “Die With A Smile” was a wierd single to launch first with this report, however I agree with Josh and Noa in regards to the purposeful placement of the music as the ultimate music. Ending a report she poured her coronary heart and soul into with a lyric like “If the get together was over and our time on Earth was by means of, I’d wanna maintain you only for some time and die with a smile” simply is sensible. The get together is over when the report ends, however we celebrated all through so why not smile about it? For “Abracadabra” and “Illness,” a masterclass in easy methods to get your fanbase on board along with your subsequent undertaking, particularly us little monsters.
Brian: Perhaps it’s simply me, however I don’t suppose “Abracadabra” actually sounds something like the remainder of MAYHEM. It’s one among my favourite tracks, however I wouldn’t say anything on the album actually sounds or feels prefer it. I do agree with Noa’s level that the “Illness” and “Abracadabra” music movies match completely in the identical universe, however the sounds of Abracadabra really feel extra like one thing that you’d hear on Artpop or The Fame. I believe callbacks like this are a part of what makes this album such a enjoyable hear for devoted followers like myself who’ve been on the Gaga bandwagon for some time now.
Bárbara: I do consider that “Abracadabra” and “Illness” signify the rhythms and the final model of the album. In fact, “Abracadabra” has taken the spot as the highest music or one of many favorites of this report. Perhaps these three songs could also be its most memorable ones. I need to say, “Die With a Smile” might have fairly a distinct vibe from the remainder of the songs, however it’s unforgettable, additionally standing out for the collaboration with Bruno Mars.
Dimitra: Till lately, I completely agreed with Noa. “Die With a Smile” is absolutely good, nevertheless it didn’t actually appear to me consistent with the remainder of the album, or no less than what it appeared to wish to convey. Studying Kevin’s remark made me suppose although, and I’ve to say it makes good sense, it gave me a technique to see the album from a distinct viewpoint. Thanks Kevin!
Danielle: I don’t really feel “Die With a Smile” was a great illustration of the album as a single sonically, I really feel “Illness” and “Abracadabra” match the one releases higher and general accurating match the sound and vitality stylistically. To me, it simply didn’t match the remainder of the album, on the time. As one other monitor on the album, it’s a great addition. It additionally appeared just a little anticlimactic – however as a stand-alone launch, it’s a particular collaboration between Girl Gaga and Bruno Mars. I agree with Josh and Noa in regards to the placement – it does work general, I believe it’s stunning to little monsters who anticipated one thing else, however might have obtained one thing significantly better in return.
MAYHEM has been billed as a return to Girl Gaga’s pop roots – “a declaration of inventive freedom, a celebration of life’s contradictions, and a testomony to music’s energy to convey individuals collectively within the face of chaos.” Does this seize the spirit of those songs, and the place do you hear or really feel it most?
Kevin: Girl Gaga has by no means stopped her teachings to be your whole genuine self and he or she continues to exude that mantra by means of her music. She has the extraordinarily uncommon expertise to convey followers of all varieties of genres throughout the increasing sonic universe and it reveals! A number of individuals I’ve linked with, who push pop music out of their rotation, maintain excessive regard for Gaga. “Shadow Of A Man” is an anthem that I really feel many have neglected, however I really feel the final message is “I’m me, and never a single individual can darken my gentle.” That is the true essence of what Gaga needs everybody to consider in and that’s to consider in your self.
Josh: On prime of the place I hear it probably the most, I may also say the place I see it probably the most– within the video for “Abracadabra,” which options loads of the electrical group choreography and wacky, colourful outfits that the Girl Gaga of my highschool years was well-known for. The one itself additionally has some echoes of hits from that period akin to “Unhealthy Romance,” as others have remarked, and the identical could possibly be stated of a handful of the album cuts as properly.
Brian: Very like every part Gaga does, I’d argue that description is a bit a lot – however isn’t that precisely why all of us love her? MAYHEM actually looks like a return to the sounds and kinds that made her well-known. My favourite half is how over-the-top a few of her lyrics are, but her supply makes them really feel so playful and unserious. Take “Excellent Superstar,” the place she sings, “Choke on the celebrity and hope it will get you excessive, sit within the entrance row, watch the princess die.” It’s a lyric so dramatic that it virtually turns into comedic. To me, that’s a quintessential Gaga second we haven’t seen as a lot on latest initiatives, and I’m so glad to see it make a comeback.
Noa: I strongly agree with all people, MAYHEM is actually such an vital second in her iconic inventive profession! “Abracadabra” particularly introduced a way of nostalgia for me. All the pieces about it, however significantly the spell-binding chant “abracadabra amor-oo-na-na / abracadabra morta-oo-ga-ga” has the identical outlandish high quality of what made me fall in love with Girl Gaga years in the past. I may see myself as a 13 yr outdated once more, lip syncing that music in my room, voguing to it, and pretending there was a wind machine blowing by means of my hair and that I used to be in a music video alongside her. That music is peak Gaga for my part and looks like an homage to The Fame period.
Bárbara: MAYHEM evokes a sense that’s linked to her early work; I believe it’s an album influenced by her early beats and her previous. When some may suppose that that is simply one other report from a well-known pop artist, many would reasonably say that this can be a top-charting album with spectacular tracks that remind us of that Girl Gaga by no means left and can by no means depart what we first met her as: daring, harmful, and dramatic with some oddness to it. But Girl Gaga has stated it completely with the fourteen new tracks: she’s had many chapters, many faces, however she stays one and he or she’s free to be herself by means of her music.
Dimitra: I believe this report is yet one more affirmation that Gaga will at all times convey one thing sudden to the scene, that she is going to (rightly!) do what she needs as a result of she will afford it. All the pieces she does finally ends up being profitable, irrespective of how contradictory it might appear. Individuals love Gaga and her artwork as a result of she places unbelievable ardour into every part she does, whatever the style of music or the medium she makes use of. And I believe MAYHEM represents this freedom very properly, even in having completely reverse tracks on the tracklist (like “Abracadabra” and “Die With A Smile”). Her music may be seen as chaos however she is queen of it, coordinating every part like the most effective of conductors. Completely fascinating.
Danielle: Girl Gaga has at all times supplied one thing genuine together with her artistry – regardless that she will supply one thing utterly totally different, or etched together with her signature mix of genres that develop throughout the sonic universe. MAYHEM is a stand-out second in her music profession – whereas feeling linked to her earlier catalog. It’s actually outstanding how she has had many eras, kinds, all whereas remaining true to who she is as an artist.
Which music(s) stand out for you on the album, and why?
Noa: I keep in mind immediately loving “Zombieboy”; I knew it was going to be my favourite music off the album the second it began enjoying. I additionally learn that the music is a tribute to the late Rick Genest, who starred in Gaga’s revered video for “Born This Approach,” which simply makes the music really feel much more particular. It’s crammed with a lot life, and you’ll inform she had enjoyable recording it. I like how a lot she leans into her artistry and the way onerous she works to make lengthy lasting, significant artwork, nevertheless it’s additionally actually refreshing to listen to her simply having enjoyable and never taking it too critically. At this level, she’s earned the precise to do this.
Kevin: “Killah” oozes pure model and my first thought was “This feels like if 9 Inch Nails lined Prince.” The closely distorted bass vibrating and the shiny twinkle of guitar emits this sense of bulletproof armor and your enemy can’t pierce by means of your confidence. A number of different tracks stood out, however figuring out Gaga loves to make use of biblical references all through her music, “Backyard Of Eden” was such a nod to her early releases and infamous means to not take every part so critically. It has parts taken from The Fame and pulls you into the world of constructing unhealthy choices on the dance flooring.
Josh: Noa and Kevin truly already named a few of my favorites – “Backyard of Eden” is one among my favorites, partially due to its central lyric (extra of that beneath) and I do just like the nod to her outdated inventive ally, ZombieBoy (I nonetheless keep in mind seeing him within the “Born This Approach” video in 2011 and it Creeped. Me. OUT!). I additionally like “Superstar” lots, and on condition that her first album in 2008 was known as and about The Fame, it’s encouraging to see that Gaga can nonetheless present some intriguing perception into this matter the higher a part of 20 years later. “How Unhealthy Do U Need Me” is hearth for positive, as properly. Oh man, this report has some severe highlights, little doubt!
Brian: “Vanish Into You” is the standout for me – the manufacturing here’s a masterclass, and manages to seize every part MAYHEM has to supply. It’s acquired these near-perfect pop hooks layered over wealthy, advanced manufacturing. Greater than every other monitor on the album, “Vanish Into You” units the tone for what’s to come back. It blends basic pop sensibilities with a cool electrical guitar, introducing parts that unfold extra absolutely on tracks like “Killah.”
Bárbara: One among my favourite songs of all time, and a part of the brand new album, is “Die With a Smile,” which has been praised because it got here out. The intro of “Vanish Into You” is beautiful, and it’s just like the music I beforehand talked about as a result of they’re extra associated to peace, affection, and so they act as a touch to completely happy endings. Nonetheless, “Backyard of Eden” and “Abracadabra” stand out as properly, they’re extra electro, with synthesizers and influences from her early work that make these songs particular to somebody who may be very acquainted and in contact with Girl Gaga’s music.
Dimitra: “Killah” and “Zombieboy.” Listening to Gesaffelstein’s contact on the primary one is magical, however Zombieboy is maybe the one which has stayed in my coronary heart probably the most. The tribute to Rick Genest then made me just a little teary-eyed, I admit – he may solely deserve such an iconic music, might he relaxation in peace.
Danielle: “Vanish into You” completely steals the present for me! The manufacturing is pure genius – it completely captures each little bit of what MAYHEM brings to the desk. With flawless pop hooks you could’t get out of your head, all wrapped up in wealthy, intricate layers, this monitor is in a league of its personal. Greater than every other music on the album, it units the stage for every part to come back. It’s like an ideal fusion of timeless pop vibes and funky electrical guitar riffs that hold you hooked from begin to end.
Do you might have any favourite lyrics thus far? Which strains stand out?
Noa: I hate to confess this, however there wasn’t a lot that significantly struck me lyric-wise on MAYHEM. I acquired the impression that she was trying to be susceptible all through the report, however the lyrics for probably the most half felt sadly skin-deep. Particularly contemplating the quantity of writers credited on every music, I want the writing was as spectacular as her vocal supply. However with that being stated, there have been a number of moments that basically caught out to me, like on the monitor “Blade of Grass” the place she sings: Come on and wrap that blade of grass round my finger like a solid. It’s a metaphor about marrying somebody you’re keen on, and it’s one which I’d by no means heard earlier than. It feels actually unique and significant. And the music as an entire is an ode to her fiancé/co-producer Michael Polansky, so it’s no marvel she sings it with a lot emotion and keenness! It’s a extremely stunning energy ballad, and it’s probably the most vital songs off the report for my part.
Kevin: Girl Gaga is aware of easy methods to get a crowd off their ft and the intro to “Zombieboy” is a primary instance of easy methods to get the get together began. “We about to be up all night time, wakin’ up a zombie, so put your paws throughout me, you zombieboy.” This screams 2007 Gaga earlier than she was a family title and her dire love for making music for individuals to bop to, even when they thought it was corny. One other lyric I caught after a number of listens was in “Shadow of a Man,” when she calls for to be heard singing “Trigger I gained’t be used for my love and disregarded to cry.” A testomony to be heard and by no means take no for a solution.
Josh: In typical Girl Gaga model, this album has acquired a wholesome sprint of “Hmmm I ponder what she’s acquired in thoughts with that one” lyrics. One which stood out to me was, “I could possibly be your girlfriend for the weekend. You may be my boyfriend for the night time,” on “Backyard of Eden.” It acquired me pondering, “Hmmm why does the man solely get a fraction of the allotted time because the woman right here? Is there any type of energy dynamic occurring right here? What makes the distinction between a weekend and an evening in Gaga’s thoughts, precisely?” Perhaps I’m overthinking this one a bit, however I do admit that my eyebrows took just a little journey north when this line got here on.
Brian: I’d should disagree that the lyrics on MAYHEM really feel surface-level or lack resonance. If something, they’re basic Gaga – her music has at all times been at its finest when it leans into the surreal. Are these lyrics going to win her a Pulitzer? Most likely not. However will they be blasting on dance flooring for years to come back? Surely.
So far as strains that stand out, MAYHEM delivers an immediately iconic new chant: “Abracadabra, amor-oo-na-na / Abracadabra, morta-oo-ga-ga / Abracadabra, abra-oo-na-na.” I can already hear the streets of West Hollywood shouting that one in unison.
Noa: I believe you’re so proper Brian, the lyrics are 100% basic Gaga! This album can be undoubtedly extra targeted on being high-energy and danceable than it’s about lyricism and poetry. I assume I solely want there have been extra songs like “Excellent Superstar,” and extra moments the place the listener may actually get a glimpse into her inside world, past the surrealism and considerably imprecise metaphors. I discover her commentary on fame and her expertise with the music business to be tremendous fascinating and vital, and simply personally would’ve liked to see her lean much more into it lyrically-speaking. However regardless, MAYHEM completely goes to be successful report on dance flooring the world over, and that was in all probability what she was going for anyway!
Bárbara: The lyrics are fairly catchy, particularly within the choruses of “Abracadabra” and “How Unhealthy Do U Need Me,” but depth isn’t an element on this album. One which caught my eye, although, is “Excellent Superstar,” during which she addresses fame and its downsides. “I look so hungry, however I look so good,” “You like to hate me,” or “You make the cash, I’ll make you snigger” are lyrics that mirror a private battle that Girl Gaga has needed to face towards public opinion and being a star. It might be probably the most self-reflective songs present in MAYHEM.
Danielle: Can I say that I’m fascinated with all of Girl Gaga’s lyrics? I like the disco like excessive vitality within the manufacturing, and the lyrics as typical Gaga model. Like Brian talked about in regards to the iconic new chant: “Abracadabra, amor-oo-na-na / Abracadabra, morta-oo-ga-ga / Abracadabra, abra-oo-na-na.” This will likely be far and wide for the following whereas – and it’s welcomed. I really like how the lyrics are catchy!
The place do you’re feeling MAYHEM sits within the pantheon of Girl Gaga’s artistry?
Noa: I believe MAYHEM is deservedly an enormous second for Girl Gaga. Her previous data akin to Joanne, Cheek to Cheek, and even Chromatica – although particular in their very own methods – match into particular niches, and so they every entice very totally different audiences. MAYHEM then again is an album for all Girl Gaga followers as an entire; it’s an album for the little monsters who’re all grown up now. The place a few of her previous initiatives may appear to be side-quests of kinds and confirmed the depth of her artistry, MAYHEM looks like a homecoming. It’s every part there may be to like in regards to the fabulous, endless enigma that’s Girl Gaga.
Kevin: Girl Gaga has churned out a number of the biggest music this millennium, however MAYHEM is her ode to every part she has accomplished in her profession up to now. It stands out in varied methods, displaying her many skills of songwriting, manufacturing, however finally underlines the truth that she is not only a musician, she is an artist. I don’t wish to name this her magnum opus, regardless that it’s fairly near being so, however everyone knows Girl Gaga is much from over making music.
Josh: Oh man, these outdated Girl Gaga data positive have a variety of nostalgia of their favor at this level, don’t they? Mayhem has acquired some catching as much as do in that regard, however I’ll say that, off the bat, that is probably the most I’ve ever been impressed by any one among her albums. It makes for a terrific hear right through, and regardless that it hasn’t acquired the nostalgia card in its hand simply but, I’d say it’s not too early to name this one among her absolute best initiatives ever (it’s already acquired the very best mixture rating of any of her LPs on Metacritic, as an example).
Brian: MAYHEM looks like a pure evolution in Girl Gaga’s discography – much less of a reinvention and extra of a refinement. If The Fame was the explosive debut, Born This Approach was the boundary-pusher, and Chromatica was the lengthy awaited return to the dancefloor, then MAYHEM is Gaga at her most confident. It’s massive, assured, and unafraid to take up house.
My first thought once I listened to MAYHEM was, “I can’t wait to listen to this stay at Coachella.” It’s an album that makes the listener wish to expertise it – and that’s one thing that just a few artists like Gaga can pull off. For me, MAYHEM sits comfortably alongside her greatest pop moments, proving that she nonetheless is aware of easy methods to make large, arena-filling music that feels each recent and deeply genuine to her artistry.
Bárbara: One among my first ideas when listening to MAYHEM is how a lot it’s a reminder of the outdated (or the primary initiatives of) pop from Girl Gaga. “Abracadabra” is a nice and nostalgic echo of songs like “Simply Dance” and “Born This Approach.” So, like lots of her songs, hopefully a few of this album will undergo years and generations as memorable. I believe this album, which reveals inventive evolution, is genuine, natural, a pure Girl Gaga achievement in her musical journey.
Danielle: MAYHEM, for me, is the primary Girl Gaga signature-styled album that she has launched in a very long time… the likes of Joanne and Cheek to Cheek nonetheless maintain a particular place for me, after all. Listening to the album for the primary time introduced me again to when The Fame, The Fame Monster and Born This Approach had been launched – my youthful self could be stoked to listen to all of her catalog and now a homecoming the place each inch of this report has a nostalgic vibe for the little monsters, but in addition presents one thing new for the brand new listeners.
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:: stream/buy MAYHEM right here ::
:: join with Girl Gaga right here ::
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“Backyard of Eden” – Girl Gaga
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© Charlie Denis
MAYHEM
an album by Girl Gaga
