Lady Gaga
Album review by Andy Cantu
Lady Gaga is an artist that needs no introduction. Since the release of her debut album, The Fame in 2008, she has fully cemented herself as one of the most influential pop stars of the 21st century. Throughout the years, Lady Gaga has experimented with a variety of genres and even started a successful acting career, but fans and casual listeners alike longed for her return to the dance-pop that made her a household name. When she announced she would be making a pop record for the first time in years, fans rejoiced. While the first single, ‘Disease,’ was largely overlooked by mainstream audiences, her second single, ‘Abracadabra,’ was an instant hit.
MAYHEM is an album full of songs reminding listeners of Lady Gaga’s previous hits, but they are all crafted in a way that allows them to draw comparison without sounding derivative. The music video for ‘Abracadabra’ debuted during the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, and gained popularity largely because it reminded audiences of ‘Bad Romance.’ However, the two songs could not be more different. ‘Disease’ is the perfect album opener because aside from being pop perfection with strong vocals and even stronger production, it has the exact kind of sound people associate with Lady Gaga. If one song alone could indicate a return to form for her as an artist, it would be ‘Disease.’
Lady Gaga makes a myriad of creative choices on MAYHEM, but the most baffling part is how well they work. ‘Zombieboy’ is a disco-inspired tune written as a tribute to her late friend, and is arguably the most bizarre song on the album and it’s incredible. Similarly, ‘The Beast’ stands out as a uniquely raw and carnal track. The lyrics are as animalistic as they are seductive, and the beat hypnotizes the listener throughout. The song describes a kind of love Lady Gaga is no stranger to singing about, but the delivery of this message is what will surely stick in fans’ heads long after they’ve heard it.
The highlights of the album are the tracks that give MAYHEM its signature sound. True to its name, the songs are created from pure chaos with seemingly contradictory elements working together to make the pinnacle of pop music. ‘Vanish Into You’ has the kind of lyrics that usually accompany a breezier melody, but Lady Gaga’s choice to pair them with a funky disco tune makes for a more layered listening experience. In the hands of a lesser artist, ‘Don’t Call Tonight’ could be a boringly perfect club banger. Yet Lady Gaga’s passion and vocals bring the song to life, elevating every creative decision to its full potential. ‘How Bad Do U Want Me’ is self-described as the “psychotic love theme,” and is sure to be a fan favorite specifically amongst her fellow Aries. With its ever changing tempo and desperate lyrics, it’s easily the most relatable song and one of the best songs on the album.
MAYHEM is not just a return to form; it’s Lady Gaga’s best album since Born This Way as it combines the sound that made her famous with her evolution as an artist.
