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First Listen - MAYHEM - Lady Gaga: A Daring Pop Comeback
First Listen – MAYHEM – Lady Gaga is giving the people what they want–pop music. In her recent albums, she has proven she can effortlessly pull off any genre. She’s given us jazz in Harlequin, soft rock in Joanne, and country in her Hollywood debut in A Star is Born. It has been four years since her last pop album, Chromatica, and fans have been eagerly waiting for her return to the genre. With a little bit of glitz and disco flair, MAYHEM delivers a bold, high-energy spectacle, reminding us why Gaga reigns as the queen of pop.
Vocal Power
There is something so incredible about Gaga’s vocals on this album. Of course, everyone knows she is a great singer, but her voice throughout this record is rigid and imperfect in the best way. Every song she sings sounds deeply emotional. It may be the best I’ve ever heard her. This stood out to me most on her song “Vanish Into You.” Her vocals are so strong and raw, and they are the standout feature of the track. I also want to highlight the uniqueness of her voice in “Shadow of a Man.” She almost morphs her voice into something that sounds nearly identical to Michael Jackson, yet still uniquely hers. It’s remarkable, I have no idea how she does it.
Musical Influences from Different Decades
Gaga draws a lot of inspiration from different generations of music on this album. We hear a lot of 90s-inspired sounds in “Perfect Celebrity” and “Killah.” “Perfect Celebrity” has a 90s grunge rock vibe, while “Killah” gives off classic 90s techno beats. Meanwhile, “Shadow of a Man” and “LoveDrug” channel classic 80s pop. One of my favorites on the album, “Zombieboy,” features 70s-inspired disco funk beats.I love Gaga’s creativity in blending different genres on this record, all while keeping its pop flair. You never know what to expect next, which keeps you excited throughout the entire album.
A Masterpiece of Chaos and Emotion
First Listen – MAYHEM – Lady Gaga is a masterpiece that completely reinvents pop. I admire how Gaga took a risk and decided not to stick with one concept for this record, making it wonderfully chaotic. It suits her style and voice perfectly, and creatively, I think this was a major win for Gaga. Themes of self-conflict, struggle, and the complexity of fame are what really carry this album. Of course, Gaga has been an A-list celebrity for years; however, after not hearing from her in a while, this album marks her true return to stardom. I’m so excited to see where this next era of Lady Gaga takes us. Hearing her original sound mixed with who she is now as an artist is powerful and beautiful. I can’t wait to hear more.
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