On March 7, Lady Gaga dropped her highly anticipated seventh studio album, entitled “Mayhem.” The wait was worth it for an album full of Gaga’s artistry. “Mayhem” has 14 tracks on the standard edition of the album, and two more songs are included on the exclusive editions of this album.
Her last album, “Chromatica,” was released back in 2020, but through this five year wait Gaga gave fans various projects to hold them over, including Love for Sale: a collaborative Jazz album with the late Tony Bennet, the Joker Folie A Deux movie and soundtrack as well as its companion album, “Harlequin.”
Gaga is an enigma, and she can contort herself into any genre she performs. This shines with the variety of styles in Mayhem: from 90’s alternative, electro-grunge to even funk. As Gaga said, “Mayhem is utter chaos,” and this is represented in every shard of this record.
Although I love and cherish every song on this album, here are my top five.
5. Blade of Grass: Track 13
This is one of the best songs on this record for sure. It’s a heartwarming ballad, and once you know the backstory behind the song, it becomes even more sentimental. Gaga’s now fiancé, Michael Polansky, asked her how he should propose to her one day. She responded to him by saying “Take a blade of grass and wrap it around my finger.” The lyrics are sweet, and the song makes it obvious how happy Gaga and Polansky seem to be together. This song is like a happy ending and a new chapter to a life once filled with chaos. I believe that’s why it’s the second to last song on the record. To go from hard-hitting songs to these last few sweet, personal ballads is what really makes the album special when listening to it in order.
4. The Beast: Track 12
“The Beast” is another great song, which blends slow bass, synth and amazing vocals to layout a storyline. “The Beast” is about your partner taking control and tapping into their primal tendencies, which humans don’t always reveal or “let out.” However, they aren’t always revealed until the opportunity is presented, and this song perfectly describes that. Gaga in this song is drawing her partner in on the brink to let go and reveal their untamed beast-like side for her to see. I think’s its an interesting idea that Gaga hasn’t explored in her music before, unlike other songs on Mayhem.
3. Killah ft.Gesaffelstein: Track Six
From the David Bowie inspiration on this song, to the incredible production from Gessaffelstein, this song is a dream come true. If you don’t know Gessaffelstein, he’s an amazing producer and is spectacular with any artist he works with. Bowie is one of Gaga’s biggest inspirations, so it makes perfect sense for her to release this song inspired by Bowie’s hit “Fame.” I’m in love with this song, and it captures Bowie’s spirit, but it still contains Gaga’s essence as well.
2. Garden of Eden: Track Three
This song is a club-like, provocative exploration of indulgence, desire and the thrill that temptation can bring. Gaga puts at least one seductive song on her albums, which fits right in with past songs, like LoveGame and Sour Candy. This song is so catchy, and the electric sound in the background reminds me of a siren-like sound. I interpreted it as a siren setting off an alarm in your body and brain to want to indulge in these thoughts.
1. Perfect Celebrity: Track Four
This song embodies a dark theme with an incredible approach. “Perfect Celebrity” explores the feelings of being a public attraction and struggling with multiple personalities at time. This shines through in lyrics like, /I’m made of plastic like a human doll/You push and pull me, I don’t hurt at all/. As well as, /I’ve become a notorious being/Find my clone, she’s asleep on the ceiling/. This holds some of the best lyricism on this album in my opinion. This has become one of my favorite Gaga songs ever.
