The Pop Icon Reconnects with Her Core Sound While Drawing Inspiration from Contemporary Pop Figures
Lady Gaga’s career has long been defined by a delicate balance between reinvention and staying true to her foundational pop identity. With her sixth solo album, Mayhem, she’s firmly chosen the latter route, opting for a thrilling return to the dancefloor and embracing the electrifying energy that marked her early successes.
This album, her tenth overall, takes a clear step away from recent attempts at musical evolution, instead doubling down on the infectious pop beats and audacious persona that first captivated her global audience. Mayhem brings forth a familiar flavour of energetic, club-driven anthems, packed with self-references and brimming with the same hard-edged glamour that once defined her debut, The Fame (2008). The track “Abracadabra” recalls her early sounds, while “Perfect Celebrity” offers a sharp critique of fame, echoing themes from her earlier works.
While the album unmistakably harks back to her signature style, it’s not without contemporary influences. The spectre of Madonna’s iconic approach to pop hangs heavy, as does the presence of Charli XCX’s avant-garde outsider pop. There’s also a nod to Chappell Roan, a rising star in queer pop circles. The track “How Bad Do U Want Me” raises questions of whether Gaga is subtly paying tribute to Taylor Swift or subtly parodying her, adding an intriguing twist to an album otherwise deeply connected to her roots.
Overall, Mayhem is a celebration of the Lady Gaga we’ve come to know and love, with just enough modern pop references to keep things fresh. It’s a return to what she does best – and a reminder of her place at the forefront of the pop landscape.
