Cover This is Tatler’s review of Lady Gaga’s latest album, ‘MAYHEM’ (Photo: Frank Lebon/Universal Music Group)
This is Tatler’s review of Lady Gaga’s latest album, ‘MAYHEM’ (Photo: Frank Lebon/Universal Music Group)
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Our verdict is due three weeks after its release: is Lady Gaga’s ‘MAYHEM’ an immediate pop bop?
The Japanese call it Geidō—a 700-year-old discipline that all masters of the art have taken, whether unwittingly or not. In the course of this process, the student will step into the shadows of their mentors and emerge with a perspective that is uniquely theirs.
In MAYHEM, Lady Gaga comes out as the culmination of all she has learned over the years—stripped of all her masks and pretentions, the musician pays homage to her past works and affirms that she has finally embraced her completeness.
The album was electrifying, to say the least. It opens with two dark pop tracks, Disease and Abracadabra, establishing a brooding tone before gradually shifting to a funky, upbeat, and danceable energy. The tracks stay true to the mayhem that was promised, delivering a perfect balance of fun and nostalgia.
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Nostalgic, raw, and mature
Above In ‘MAYHEM’, Lady Gaga comes out as the culmination of all she has learned over the years (Photo: Frank Lebon/Universal Music Group)
In ‘MAYHEM’, Lady Gaga comes out as the culmination of all she has learned over the years (Photo: Frank Lebon/Universal Music Group)
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Nostalgia serves as a key driving force behind the album. Several tracks arguably echo her past masterpieces: Garden of Eden and Zombieboy, for instance, seem to pull influences from The Fame, while Perfect Celebrity instantly brings to mind Born This Way. Meanwhile, Killah will have you reminiscing about the experimental energy of ARTPOP.
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Above ‘MAYHEM’ opens with two dark pop tracks, Disease and Abracadabra, establishing a brooding tone (Photo: Frank Lebon/Universal Music Group)
‘MAYHEM’ opens with two dark pop tracks, Disease and Abracadabra, establishing a brooding tone (Photo: Frank Lebon/Universal Music Group)
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MAYHEM encapsulates Lady Gaga’s genius, functioning almost as an audio diary that reveals the deepest reflections only a popstar of her stature could articulate. With each track, she offers a raw and unfiltered glimpse into her world, capturing the complexities of romance, fame, and identity.
In Perfect Celebrity, she confronts the challenges that come with notoriety. Beneath its rock-infused electropop sound, the track offers a raw and disillusioned reflection on the burdens of fame.
Shadow of a Man, which opens with a vaguely familiar Michael Jackson beat, is an anthem of emancipation. At its core, the song is about breaking free from someone else’s influence and reclaiming control over one’s own life.
For this record, Gaga reflects on moments when she refuses to feel subdued by male figures in the music industry and instead carves out her own space.
Above ‘MAYHEM’ features tracks like ‘Disease’ and ‘ABRACADABRA’ (Photo: Robin Harper/Universal Music Group)
Above Lady Gaga’s ‘MAYHEM’ is raw and mature (Photo: Robin Harper/Universal Music Group)
‘MAYHEM’ features tracks like ‘Disease’ and ‘ABRACADABRA’ (Photo: Robin Harper/Universal Music Group)
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In Don’t Call Tonight, the embattled pop star seems to find an emotional outlet for all the introspection she has done in the past years. She confronts the tension between the image she presents to the world and all the parts she wants to keep for herself. Throughout the song, she pleads, “Don’t call tonight,” which serves as a boundary established between her and someone with whom she has a toxic relationship.
Overall, the context of all the songs on her album reflects her maturity in songwriting. She has, in so far as artistic expression goes, achieved a level that most of her contemporaries have yet to reach: a well-translated storytelling that feels deeply personal yet universally relatable.
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Influences
Above ABRACADABRA is part of Lady Gaga’s ‘MAYHEM’
A notable aspect of the album is how, upon closer inspection, certain tracks subtly channel the influences of some of her greatest musical idols. Several songs mimic the distinctive styles of iconic pop and rock legends such as Prince, Nine Inch Nails, David Bowie, and more.
In a recent discussion on SiriusXM channel and Elle, Gaga explored the diverse range of musical influences that shaped her as a songwriter. “There was industrial inspiration with a lot of the sounds,” she shares. “There’s a transitional moment on the album that’s rooted in ‘90s music. A sort of electro grunge defiance. That era in music was a response to the music that came before it. And then David Bowie theatrical rock, Prince, Radiohead. I was inspired by so much music that has grown roots in my veins.”
It is also worth noting that Gaga’s fiancé, Michael Polansky, co-wrote at least seven tracks on the album, bringing an intimate, collaborative energy to the work.
Full circle
Above Lady Gaga in ‘MAYHEM’ (Photo: Jasmine Safaeian/Universal Music Group)
Lady Gaga in ‘MAYHEM’ (Photo: Jasmine Safaeian/Universal Music Group)
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As Gaga announces her concert in Singapore and the upcoming MAYHEM Ball Tour across North America, fans are eagerly anticipating how these new tracks will be translated on stage. Known for her extravagant performances—picture burning pianos, shooting bras, the theatrics and all in between—Gaga is sure to deliver a spectacle.
In an era where music is often crafted to be trendy, shorter, and heavily focused on catchy choruses, MAYHEM stands out as an instant pop favourite for 2025.
Taking an objective stance on the album, it’s clear that even its weakest tracks still hold up on their own. Through MAYHEM, Gaga reignites her status as an unforgettable entertainer, sharing a groove-worthy tracklist that leaves us with only two options: dance or die.
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Credits
Photography: Universal Music Group, Frank Lebon, Robin Harper, Jasmine Safaeian
Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
