Lady Gaga Causes “Mayhem” With New Album

Mayhem. What a crazy word. According to the dictionaries, mayhem means “A state or situation of great confusion, disorder, trouble or destruction; chaos.” That doesn’t sound too comforting, does it? Well, Miss Gaga named her album that for a very specific reason. The pop megastar’s newest album Mayhem, released on March 7, 2025 is a “chaotic blur of genres”, like synth-pop, electro, disco, industrial pop, rock and pop rock. The lyrics explore the themes of love, chaos, fame, identity, and desire. Some complicated emotions for the woman. Well, what drama has Gaga brought to the musical world this time? This article will be a fairly detailed review of the full chaotic album. Let’s dive into the mayhem, shall we?

Behind the Mayhem

     Actually, before that, we should get into the backstory of Mayhem. March 2024 was the first time Gaga even spoke of the album, saying she was writing some of the best songs she could remember. Then in May, her concert film featured a snippet of new music at the end. Then she played 2 more snippets at the Olympics opening ceremony. According to Gaga, the inspiration for the album stemmed from a period of deep introspection and personal challenges. She described the album as “a transgressive journey through genres” that reflects her diverse musical influences and life experiences. Gaga described the project as an eclectic work that combines various genres, styles, and emotions, all guided by her profound love of music. She elaborated:

“The album is imbued with my love for music: a diversity of genres, styles, and dreams. It leaps from one genre to another in a manner that feels almost corrupt, and it culminates in love. That’s my answer to all the chaos in my life: I find peace in love. Every song I wrote emerged from surrendering to different dreams tied to my past, almost like a recollection of all the bad decisions I’ve made throughout my life. There are moments where we sonically push the sound to extremes, and others where everything revolves around love. That, to me, represents true chaos. It’s sometimes difficult to see the light, but I think what makes inner chaos more challenging is when you occasionally catch a glimpse of the sun. For this reason, the album offers a bit of everything. It’s a complete experience.” – Lady Gaga, 2024, Rolling Stones.

 

The 14 Types of Mayhem

Her description of the album makes me very interested in hearing the songs. Now I’m going to listen to all 14 of them and tell you my thoughts on each one.

1. Disease: This is a dark pop,and EDM song with grungy guitars and four on the floor beats. The melodramatic lyrics discuss the ability of love to heal a lover’s disease.

2. Abracadabra: is fun and playful. It mixes magical lyrics with an old-school dance beat that feels like something from the early 2000s. It’s upbeat, catchy, and feels like Gaga is just having a good time.

3. Garden of Eden: This one is loud, bold, and full of attitude. Gaga plays with religious imagery and turns it into something rebellious. The song feels like a party, with crazy energy and a catchy hook you’ll remember.

4. Perfect Celebrity: Here, Gaga opens up about the pressure to be perfect in the spotlight. The music is darker and more serious, and it really makes you think about what it’s like to be famous. A little slower, but powerful.

5. Vanish Into You: A glam-rock love song that’s both emotional and energetic. The guitars and rhythm give it an old-school rock vibe, and Gaga’s vocals are full of feeling. It’s romantic but also kind of dramatic in a cool way.

6. Killah: This collaboration is intense and futuristic. It sounds sharp and electronic, with a lot of attitude. Gaga sounds super confident here, and the song feels like it belongs in a sci-fi movie or fashion show.

7. Zombieboy: Dedicated to her friend Rick Genest, this song is both funky and fun. Even though it’s a tribute, the music is light and disco-inspired. It stands out for its unique sound and heartfelt meaning.

8. LoveDrug: Gaga compares love to an addictive drug in this track. It’s emotional but also has a big, stadium-style sound. The mix of soft vocals and strong guitar makes it really powerful.

9. How Bad Do U Want Me: A synth-pop song with an 80s vibe. Gaga explores the difference between who she is as a person and how the world sees her. It’s dreamy, catchy, and has a deeper message if you listen closely.

10. Don’t Call Tonight: A high-energy dance track with a message: leave me alone! Gaga sets boundaries in a fun, powerful way, with funky beats and a chorus you’ll want to blast with friends.

11. Shadow of a Man: This track deals with double standards and sexism in the music industry. The sound is slower and serious, and the lyrics really make you stop and think. It’s one of the more thoughtful songs on the album.

12. The Beast: This one tries to be dark and mysterious, with a smooth pop-rock style. The beat is cool, and the vibe is seductive, but it doesn’t hit quite as hard as some of the earlier tracks.

13. Blade of Grass: A soft, emotional ballad that shows Gaga’s more vulnerable side. The music is quiet and simple, letting her voice and lyrics shine. It’s peaceful and a nice break from the heavier songs.

14. Die With a Smile: A big, bright finale! Gaga and Bruno Mars sound amazing together. The song is all about enjoying love, even when life gets messy. It’s feel-good, catchy, and the perfect way to end the album.

The Members of Mayhem

     Some West Orange students and teachers were asked for their opinions on the new album. Here’s what they had to say.

1. Damien Cabello, Grade 11: I really enjoyed Mayhem. It felt like a mix between modern pop and older pop. It felt very nostalgic. One of my favorite songs off the album was Zombieboy. It was catchy and I loved the lyrics.
2. Mr. Marino, Agriscience teacher: Mayhem was an album that fully encompassed the juxtaposition of sounding nostalgic but at the same time being fresh, new and exciting. The range of sounds between songs, going from the upbeat Club-inspired Abracadabra to the Prince and Bowie inspired Killah and finishing with the beautiful jam-ballad of Die with a Smile are all amazing examples why Gaga is an artist that consistently amazes and inspires myself and other musicians alike.
3. Kenzie Wright, Grade 9: Mayhem was very good. I liked it a lot, my favorite songs from it are abracadabra and disease.

After the Mayhem
Overall, I really enjoyed it! It sounded like 80s music, and it was tons of fun! I’d rate it a 10 out of 10, no complaints here. I wonder if they’re gonna play any of these songs at the junior-senior prom on April 19? We’ll see. Keep calm and keep …. mayheming on.