Cassandra Fong
Half a decade after her theatrically electric Chromatica, Lady Gaga return in fabulous form to her roots of campy fashion-forward music.
A brand that pushed her into fame years ago, songs with big synths, she’s got a handful of intriguing musical left-turns up her sleeve, as befits her status as godmother of theatrical pop/protégée of Michael Jackson.
At the heart of Gaga’s latest offering is a rich exploration of transformation, identity, and desire.
Gaga has always been a chameleon, shifting her persona to reflect her artistic evolution.
Stylistically, the songs sound like deep cuts from her past discography, and the lyrics are as emotionally transparent as ever, putting her emotive vocals and catchy hooks at the forefront.
This latest project sees her grappling with the complexities of fame and personal identity, often employing metaphors of transformation to articulate her experiences.
Lyrical themes on Mayhem
Amid the head-rush chaotic bricolage, she aptly uses metaphors of transformation to discuss identity and desire.
Yet the shining example of this, ‘How Bad Do U Want Me’, a charming album highlight with a synth-heavy sonic-scape frequently compared to Taylor Swift’s was almost removed from the track-list.
Thankfully, it wasn’t, and we get to enjoy what a duet between Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift could sound like.
Certainly, its narrative – a nod to iconic novel Rebecca – and vocal delivery strike as a homage to Swift’s 1989 era; her sharp desperation leaking through but never detracting from the glittery drums and guitar.
The lack of characters, concepts and aesthetic impulses that would otherwise have overshadowed the stellar selection of songs ranging from pulsating electro-clash about a situationship to a clattering, snarling musing on fame’s dark side.
Her ballroom influences stand out here through stylistic diversity and unconventional structure, transporting the listener through a string of emotions.
The incorporation of elements from ballroom culture not only enhances the album’s diversity but also pays homage to the vibrant communities that have influenced Gaga’s artistic development.
Standout tracks on Mayhem
Blending the persona of her as a disruptive performer and whatever authentic self she has as a woman together in this intensely first-person-narrated album.
Amidst love songs to her partner, she observes the perils of fame on the electro-grunge ‘Perfect Celebrity’, a spiritual sequel to ‘Paparazzi’.
It contains an industrial arrangement openly inspired by Nine Inch Nails and a satirical approach on criticism levelled at her that feels like a homage to, again, Taylor Swift – more specifically, ‘Blank Space’.
Gaga highlights the trials and tribulations of the double life in and out of the spotlight most earnestly and prominently when she mentions a clone on the ceiling: a Gothic double, for those inclined towards more literary descriptions.
Lady Gaga’s impact
Lady Gaga was a prescient star when she first burst onto the pop scene. Since her debut, she has boldly challenged societal norms, advocating for self-expression and acceptance.
Now she has matured and had a musical lineage of her own – see Sabrina Carpenter’s glamorous self-parody or Chappell Roan’s drag aesthetic.
And her defiant, raucous maximization of her significance on the dance floor feels very deserved.
Ultimately, this is one of her strongest full-length projects, a loudly soul-bearing dose of pop songwriting that feels, more than ever, like resurging mayhem.
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Featured image courtesy of Marcel de Groot on Wikimedia Commons. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.
