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Lady Gaga's highly anticipated seventh studio album is out! Released on March 7th, MAYHEM is an electric display of Gaga's high-energy dance-pop roots, that iconic Lady Gaga weirdness, and some disco-funk. When speaking with Entertainment Weekly in reference to the current meme of "reheating nachos" to refer to an artist reviving a past trend, she commented, "My nachos are mine, I invented them and I'm proud of them." Lady Gaga has such a compelling mixture of incredible vocals and catchy arrangements in each release, and MAYHEM does not deviate from this pattern. It feels so authentically Gaga, blending social commentary into songs you can let loose and dance to, or sit back and groove with.
Overview - my favorite moments
The release of the two lead singles "Disease" and "Abracadabra" certainly stirred excitement in my life and community of Gaga-lovers. Being released on the tail end of winter was perfect timing. As I listened to these tracks for the first time, I could hear the sun coming out for the beginning of a new era.
"Killah", featuring french producer Gestaffelstein, has that classic Gaga sass and swag; the middle of this album takes us on a push-and-pull journey through flowing melodic lines and storytelling. I immediately heard a lot of similarities to Taylor Swift's 1989 in "How Bad Do U Want Me" and came to find out that fans even speculated that the two artists collaborated on the track despite Swift not being credited. However, an insider has confirmed that Swift did not contribute to the creation of the song. It has a familiar and traditional pop phrasing style, making for an easy listening and sing-along experience. I'm a sucker for a deceptive cadence (a musical phrase not ending on a "stable" chord like I or V), and so Gaga's use of the vi chord leading into the choruses highlights the doubt the lyrics show about the lover's feelings. The back half of MAYHEM teases a transition out of a primarily melodic arrangement and back into the funky-dance vibe with "Shadow of a Man," but is followed immediately by the rock ballad musings of "The Beast" and "Blade of Grass."
This album wouldn't have to be titled MAYHEM for listeners to ascertain the intensity and chaos Gaga intends with these songs. Her invigorating screeching and growling rile up the listener and make for a refreshing contrast between the lighter vocal tones we've been hearing from pop stars in the current era. One that I didn't catch upon first listen is in the bridge of "Killah"; it goes on a distorted journey through being a genuine vocal, and then a warped and digitized cry.
My comparisons
It's easy for me to draw comparisons between other artists and past Lady Gaga albums throughout MAYHEM - and this is a good thing. In my opinion, she's put all of the best parts of her songwriting and production into one cohesive work with this release. "Vanish Into You" and "How Bad Do U Want Me" both have elements that remind me of Fame Monster with their acrobatic melodies and pop swagger - particularly "Summerboy" and "Speechless". Known to emulate Madonna and Gwen Stefani, Gaga continues to resemble these styles with her own layer of freak, reminiscent of ARTPOP, interwoven through "Garden of Eden," "Perfect Celebrity," and "Zombieboy." Gaga's tone on "LoveDrug", to me, calls back to her sound on Joanne. Miley Cyrus and Chappell Roan would both be on my wishlist for a feature if Gaga were to release a deluxe version of the album, perhaps on "LoveDrug" or "The Beast", as both Cyrus' in particular and Gaga's similarly rugged styles would complement each other and create a vibrant new work.
Lyrical highlights
Lyrics that I feel are so quintessentially Lady Gaga, or that I just personally like;
"You started slurrin' and then I'll start to squeal / I'm fallin' over on my nine-inch heels" ("Garden of Eden")
"I've become a notorious being / Find my clone she's asleep on the ceiling now"
"I look so hungry but I look so good / Tap on my vein suck on my diamond blood"("Perfect Celebrity")
"Lightin' up my final cigarette / I'll burn a hole right through your eyes"
"Under your skin and bone, Imma try you on for size / I'm 'bout to wear you out like my favorite suit" ("Killah" (ft. Gestaffelstein)).
"So put your paws all over me, you zombie boy" ("Zombieboy")
"River in my eyes, I've got a poem in my throat",
"When I'm mumbling alone I taste the last words that you spoke to me like wine" ("LoveDrug")
"And in the mirror I get weak at the girl staring back at me / they're your eyes, they're your eyes" ("Don't Call Tonight")
"Watch me I swear, I'll dance in the shadow of a man" ("Shadow of a Man")
"Lovers kiss in a garden made of thorns/traces of lonely words, illusions torn" ("Blade of Grass")
My favorite track
Something I really appreciate about Lady Gaga's music is her ability to capture melancholy and excitement at the same time. "Vanish Into You" is another tune of hers that accomplishes this. Extracting just the chord progression, you get a somber feel from the minor qualities sprinkled throughout. However, paired with a driving drum beat, this song has become my go-to belt-in-the-shower or car tune. It's heart-wrenchingly impelled by its soaring melody; I can't emphasize how much I love it.
Final thoughts
MAYHEM is on its way to becoming my brat this summer. It's going to be difficult for me to not play this album on repeat so much that I get sick of it by the time summer even comes; I need these tracks to wash over me with the same fervor they do now on a warm, breezy evening drive. It feels so good for Lady Gaga to be back with a full studio release.
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