Lady Gaga unleashed “Mayhem” onto the world this past week, and what a ride it is. As a devoted fan of “Mother Monster” for the better part of two decades, seeing her return with an album so bold, risky and utterly Gaga is nothing short of exhilarating. From the moment I hit play, “Mayhem” took over and refused to let go.
Below, I’ll break down each track, give my ratings, and conclude with an overall verdict on the album.
“Mayhem” by Lady Gaga | A Spectacle of Sound
“Disease”
The opening track “Disease” wastes no time setting the tone. A pulsing synth lays the foundation, leading into Gaga’s lusty and intentioned vocals. The slow build explodes into a soaring chorus, something Gaga has mastered throughout her career, anchored by a hook that cements her status as a pop goddess.
“Lay you down like 1, 2, 3… Eyes roll back in ecstasy.”
That line alone defines the rest of the album: sensual, intoxicating and unapologetically bold. With a thumping beat and an irresistible melody, “Disease” kicks things off with a bang.
Rating: 8.2/10
“Abracadabra”
I mean… fuuuck. Lady Gaga, the woman you are!
“Abracadabra” is everything. Dark, pulsing and commanding absolute respect. The verse is outrageously catchy, the pre-chorus builds tension to perfection and that “lady in red” moment? It makes me want to do things I legally cannot put in writing. All that plus the chorus is a clubgoer’s fever dream.
Gaga knows she crushed this. We know she crushed this. The world damn well knows she crushed this.
Rating: 9.8/10
“Garden of Eden”
An electronic, synth-driven ode to the fleeting magic of a one-night stand that you hope never ends.
After the dark, commanding energy of the first two tracks, “Garden of Eden” offers a shift. It still carries hints of that “Dark Gaga” aesthetic that fans (myself included) were thrilled to see return, but with a brighter tone. Gaga’s delivery is softer, almost wistful, as she balances lust and longing in a way only she can.
Rating: 7.6/10
“Perfect Celebrity”
From the very first hums of this track, you feel Gaga is building toward something. With just the right amount of vocal fry, she allows her voice to soar in the highs and scrape raw at the lows.
And then the chorus hits, and you can feel the anger. You feel the “fuck you” energy that made Gaga a cultural force. The track brims with defiance, a biting commentary wrapped in anthemic production.
Rating: 7.3/10
“Vanish Into You”
A song about losing yourself in young love. A song that knows exactly what it is and what it wants to do.
Beautifully constructed, “Vanish Into You” doesn’t quite hit the highs of other tracks, but it plays a crucial role in strengthening the entirety of the album. It’s sincere, clean and gives “Mayhem” a moment to breathe. It may not be the track you’d use to introduce someone to the album, but for those who take the full journey, it adds depth.
Rating: 7.8/10
“Killah”
If there’s a “miss” on this album, this is it.
I can’t quite put my finger on it, but “Killah” doesn’t captivate like the others. The instrumental feels overcomplicated, the chorus lacks the addictive hook we’ve come to expect, and it leans too heavily overall on electronic effects without offering anything fresh.
If there’s a track I’d skip, this is the one.
Rating: 5.2/10
“Zombieboy”
You are not ready for how this song starts.
Channeling Cyndi Lauper energy with a modern twist,” Zombieboy” is a trip and an electrifying rebound after Killah’s missteps. Its infectious energy demands attention, and by the time the chorus hits, you’re fully back in the grip of “Mayhem.”
Rating: 7.1/10
“LoveDrug”
A chorus that will be stuck in your head for days. Weeks. Maybe the whole damn year. This is my sleeper hit of the album.
The verses highlight Gaga’s rich, resonant chest voice, grounding the track in warmth and depth. Then, when she ascends into the chorus, we’re transported by that ethereal, airy sonic mastery that only she can deliver.
Rating: 9.4/10
“How Bad Do U Want Me”
I had to double-check that this wasn’t a Taylor Swift song. That’s not meant as any shade; it is a massive compliment!
This is Gaga does Swift, and the result is pop perfection. If this were a Taylor song, it’d be a massive single. The fact that Gaga didn’t release this as one? Criminal.
Rating: 9.4/10
“Don’t Call Tonight”
The beat is uptempo and the melody seems lighthearted, but beneath the surface, there’s a darkness. It resonates with anyone who has been trapped in a toxic relationship. That hope that they’ll ignore you… because if they don’t, you know you can’t ignore them.
Gaga hits us where it hurts with this one, while still delivering an absolute bop.
Rating: 9.1/10
“Shadow of a Man”
This is a disco song. What more do you need to know?
It’s as if Gaga resurrected Michael Jackson and had him ghostwrite this banger. The speed, the falsetto, the sheer vibe. Was it random? Maybe. But that’s “Mayhem,” Babe.
Rating: 8.3/10
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“The Beast”
From the first second of Gaga shouting at us to “turn on the music!” this track grips you and does not let go.
The “tick tock” motif woven throughout is hauntingly beautiful. When her voice soars in the chorus, you feel every ounce of pain, longing and desperate want.
Some fans seem divided on this one. Me? I think it’s an absolute highlight.
Rating: 9/10
“Blade of Grass”
A love song in its purest form. No diamonds or flashy gestures. Just the raw, unfiltered emotion of knowing you need nothing more than the person you love. Inspired by Gaga’s marriage, “Blade of Grass” is a tender, heartfelt moment that shows the depth beneath the “Mayhem.”
Rating: 7.5/10
“Die with a Smile”
The grand finale of “Mayhem” is a Lady Gaga/Bruno Mars duet that will no doubt become a wedding staple for years to come.
The harmonies are breathtaking and the emotion is palpable. You feel it in your soul. When the final notes fade, you know Gaga succeeded in her mission of leaving us with a smile.
Rating: 9.3/10
Final Verdict: 8.9/10
“Mayhem” is pure, unapologetic Gaga. From start to finish, it’s a rollercoaster of sound, emotion and sheer spectacle. Fans of her early work will be satisfied with the pop sounds, and fans of her evolution will be treated by her grounded and slower tracks. From beginning to end, “Mayhem” keeps the vibes high and the music incredible. This is my early pick for “Album of the Year” at the 2026 Grammy Awards.
Thanks for reading my review of “Mayhem” by Lady Gaga! I hope you’ve enjoyed yourself, and keep an eye out for more music, movie and show recommendations! For more entertainment and sports takes, find me on Twitter @Steve_Lawson93.
*Photo Credit: Dan MacMedan – USA Today*
