She’s back, ladies and gentlemen. Pop icon Lady Gaga blessed the music industry with her seventh studio album, “Mayhem,” released on March 7, 2025. The album’s title speaks for itself, reflecting the chaos and variety of personalities woven throughout the tracks. In a recent interview with Daily, Gaga discussed her challenges with previous albums in blending her music with established genres while staying true to herself. She described how her approach evolved during the development of “Mayhem,” and she embraced “the chaos that…[she] have maybe always felt criticized for.”
Before the album’s release, Gaga teased fans with a glimpse of its content by introducing tracks like “Die With the Smile,” “Disease” and “Abracadabra.” These songs captured the attention of not just her loyal fans but also attracted new listeners. “Die With the Smile,” a heartfelt collaboration with Bruno Mars, explores the beauty of cherishing love while it lasts and not taking it for granted. In contrast, “Disease” delves into Gaga’s personal fears and her fights against her inner darkness.
The track “Abracadabra,” released during the 67th Grammy nominations, put a spell on the audience with its dramatic music video and lyrics. The video features a mesmerizing dance sequence with figures in black and white costumes and a red figure at the forefront. In her interview with ELLY, Gaga explained that the “lady in red” represents humans’ daunting challenges in their internal dialogues, questioning their strength and capabilities. “What does it feel like to thrive and not just survive?” she mused.
Alongside these standout tracks, newer songs like “Garden of Eden,” “Perfect Celebrity,” “Zombieboy” and “Shadow of the Man” have exploded like fireworks around the Internet. The songs reference the musical eras of the 70s, 80s and 00s. “Garden of Eden” stands out with its catchy, repetitive lines that evoke the thrill of temptations, sins and carefree nights spent with someone special. Its infectious rhythm makes it a perfect anthem for dancing the night away in a crowded club with attractive strangers.
“Perfect Celebrity” embodies the “that’s so Lady Gaga” sound with its electro-grunge vibes. The lyrics reveal the bittersweet reality of her celebrity life, where constant hate that makes her money and the need to live a double life of the public persona and her true self go hand in hand. This fusion of poignant lyrics and danceable beats creates a uniquely captivating song that is addictive to its listeners.
An evil cousin of Gaga’s flirtatious “Summerboy,” “Zombieboy” channels an 80s disco vibe, honoring Gaga’s late friend, model Rick Genest, known as Zombieboy, for his excessive number of tattoos. Gaga describes the track as this unforgettable feeling of waking up after a carefree night and being a “zombie” in the morning after a revelry, making “Zombieboy” the perfect tune for dancing like it’s your last day on earth.
A synopsis of “Shadow of the Man” was introduced during the Gaga Chromatica Ball film, where Gaga paid homage to Michael Jackson with his signature dance moves to a chorus of her upcoming song. The song addresses female artists’ struggles in the male-dominated music industry, combining Gaga’s cinematic funk grooves with vulnerable and strong vocals. The allure of Michael Jackson’s influence is evident in “Shadow of the Man’s” powerful chorus that oozes with emotion and powerful beats.
“Mayhem” truly captivated audiences with its unique genres and lyrics. It showcases Gaga’s evolution as an artist unafraid to explore new musical territories while delivering familiar themes. This album deserves the title “Album of the Year,” reflecting Lady Gaga’s growth and commitment to authenticity in the ever-changing music landscape.
