I am in constant pursuit of new songs that I can listen to over and over and over again while I walk down the street. On my way to work, to grab a coffee, to mail in my tax form; it doesn’t matter the task, the criteria for the song is the same: it has to make me feel like the baddest bitch in the whole world. It’s usually super hard-hitting and upbeat, with some addictive hook that repeats over and over; it can be anything from Chappel Roan to Kanye West to Led Zeppelin. I was hesitant to listen to Gaga’s new album, Mayhem, because the last thing I need right now is to be disappointed by THE queen of pop. But thank god, she did not let me down. What we have here is 53 minutes worth of certified ‘diva walking down the street’ music. Thank you Gaga.
She doesn’t make you wait a single second before thrusting you into the world of Mayhem, an album full of club-style beats, disco-funk-inspired basslines and the purest of pop melodies. Starting extremely strong with “Disease,” we are met with a sound not too dissimilar from 2011’s “Judas,” a song that has not fully left my mind for the last fourteen years. Next on the track list is “Abracadabra.” No lie, I had a visceral reaction to this song, putting both my hands to my head because the hook is SO catchy, “Abra-ca-dabra abracadaaaaabra.” I listened to this song about five times in a row – that’s exactly what I am looking for.
Another stand out song is the Gesaffelstein-produced “Killah,” with very glamorous undertones, evoking something akin to Prince or Bowie. “Shadow Of A Man” is another one with more of a retro flair. It’s not all that different from a Bee Gees song; it makes me want to put on a pair of rollerskates and zip around town with a slushie in my hand.
The album slows down on the last three tracks. Gaga has a beautiful voice and can sing with such emotion and passion, but personally, that is not what I am here for. Although Gaga has aged like a fine wine and Mayhem hits at almost the same strength as 2008’s timeless masterpiece The Fame, Bruno Mars, who made his debut around the same time, gets cringier with each move he makes. Having him featured on the last song, “Die With A Smile,” was unnecessary.
Lady Gaga is a legend and writes some of the most perfect pop songs imaginable. I’m not ashamed to be a fan by any means, but listening to her music has somewhat of a guilty pleasure aspect. It reminds me of pre-teen simplicities and makes me yearn for hot summer days with no responsibility. With summer being just around the corner, almost touchable, the timing of this album is perfect, and I will be listening to this in my headphones until the leaves start to fall again. “Abra-ca-dabra abracadaaaaabra”.
