MAYHEM—Lady Gaga—Mellope Album Review


OVERVIEW:

This is one of the best albums I have ever heard in my life; every song lived up to a quality and posed no huge weaknesses. I was questioning the album when I heard a huge dance radio hit and then "Die With A Smile" being on the same album, but then it all pieces together like a puzzle; it all clicks. She doesn't just do it like her usual though, oh no, she combines sounds from different decade and even has rock tracks which are cleverly crafted with Gaga's vocals just being a POWERHOUSE, along with meaning and a clear purpose that you can hear with every song.
I highly recommend this, and in my track-by-track review, there is so much more I would love to cover.


TRACK BY TRACK REVIEW:

1. Disease (6/10)

Ok, so I wasn't a fan of this, and I agree it certainly wasn't Gaga's finest, but now it's gotten stuck in my head a bit, and I have to admit that it's not that bad, although a lot of bad songs get stuck in my head (I don't know why). So I had to stay true to my heart and give this a 6/10 because it's solid, but I want to rate down to talent as well, and this just feels like something for the radio instead of showing Gaga's full capability.

2. Abracadabra (8/10)

Seeing Gaga's upcoming album has songs called 'Garden Of Eden' and 'The Beast,' and seeing the song references the devil in a more darker setting, I wouldn't be surprised if she was going to pull another 'Judas' moment. But you know I'm not biased and only rate off the actual song, so it's actually very catchy and grew a lot from the first listen. It's a pump of electronic energy that reminds me of Gaga's older era of dance music and brings back her style in a jam-packed party bop that concerns finding the magic through the challenges. It's a pleasing song and sets a high standard for the rest of 'MAYHEM.'


3. Garden of Eden (7.8/10)

Now that the Gaga album is out, we are left with the promoted single 'Garden Of Eden,' which is a good choice to put at the start of the album. It's fun, it makes you want to dance, and just like 'Abracadabra,' it's a rollercoaster of a party, which I truly believe has the power to get picked up by radio or even take Gaga to number one, and we need a hit single with staying power because right now 2025 has just been songs recycled from 2024. I'll be looking forward to hearing the full album 'Mayhem,' and this song is making me look forward to it even more!

4. Perfect Celebrity (9/10)

This is the first song from the album I've heard when actually sitting down to hear the whole thing, and WOWZERS!! GAGA IS GOING ALL KILLER NO FILLER WITH THIS!! We got a rock-pop powerhouse that sounds like Disease but even better; her vocals have that extraordinary passion for the MAYHEM era, which I love to see. Gaga isn't playing any games with this one! Easily the best thing I've heard from her!

5. Vanish Into You (9/10)

DON'T YOU DARE BASH THIS!! THIS IS PEAK!! THIS IS FROM THE ICON. FROM THE MOMENT. OOOONA NA NAAAAA. OK, I'm going to calm down now and act serious because I'm getting a little too excited. Gaga delivers a pop song that's easy to understand but still hits hard with its radio-friendly hook and signature style. This feels like a great song to sum up Gaga, the powerful vocal holds, and the constant beat pulse that keeps you amazed throughout the whole song. You have to hear this!

6. Killah (Feat. Gesaffelstein) (7.9/10)

Can't knock this either because it's a well-made song. It brings a retro feeling that sounds like it would fit a 70s bar scene, with the backing screams and rock; it really sounds like Gaga switched things up while keeping her all-loved pop style. I wasn't expecting her to deliver something like this, but if you like those old guitar plucks and are one for the 70s-sounding rock, then this is for you!

7. Zombieboy (8.2/10)

This is real dance music; it sounds like something off of Tension II but instead with more glamour. Just like the previous songs, this sounds like it has serious potential to be a lead single with its coating of old-style production but still sounding like it can be a hit today; it sounds fit for any era in the charts. Dance or die!

8. LoveDr*g (6/10)

This was a step down. As much as this had quality, it felt like a huge letdown for the next song and really dropped the phrase "dance or die." In fact, I feel like this could be a lead-up to a slower pace, seeing that the last song on the album is "Die With A Smile."

9. How Bad Do U Want Me (7/10)

Ok, so we're leaning into a sound that fits Taylor Swift, with the lyrics and vocals matching her. I wouldn't be surprised if this was inspired by her. And as I predicted, we are losing "dance or die" a lot more because this more feels like a song to sit and relate to rather than going all out dancing; it builds more of a sound that's like a strong, lead Taylor Swift song.

10. Don't Call Tonight (7.2/10)

It has a very bold, strong, and upfront sound that holds power in Gaga's vocals; if she keeps this pace up, then this album is set for a very high score! We are bringing back more of the dance with this one!

11. Shadow Of A Man (8.3/10)

It's like the 2000s pop songs with effects and those groovy beat pads that make you want to dance; this is yet another hit and great move from Lady Gaga.

12. The Beast (7.6/10)

Ok, OKKKK!! We are working with this; I can feel the buildup from the dance tunes to the slightly slower buildup to the final track, and she's still bossing these track transitions! You can hear the force and power in her vocals, which build up to the beat going up and down with force; it's what MAYHEM is about, and I'm here for it

13. Blade of Grass (9/10)

This is a really touching and beautiful love song about how Gaga was proposed to with a blade of grass. It feels very much like Die With a Smile but without the high kicks for radio and instead focuses more on the element of the beauty and lyrics. It has very clear meaning and intent and feels ear-catching.

14. Die With A Smile (Ft. Bruno Mars) (8/10)

This originally wasn't going to make the album, but it did, and I do think it deserved a place on this. It'll definitely help bring up the critics review and score of this and give it more long-term life in the charts. Smart move from Gaga. For the track, it's a beautiful song that can be played at weddings, funerals, or anywhere; it's truly something that can be interpreted in a million ways, which is what a special song does. Love this, and a pleasure to hear it! Great album outro!

BEST—Perfect Celebrity
WORST—LoveDr*g
Overall score: 8.5/10

Lovely review!!

Fun fact: Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers plays drums on KIllah.

Has anyone heard the physical exclusive songs?

What are they like?

35 minutes ago, Paddington James said:

Has anyone heard the physical exclusive songs?

What are they like?

They’re pretty strong! There’s YouTube audio clips of them somewhere for those who don’t have the CD.

Can’t Stop The High is more in vein of Perfect Celebrity dark, more rock infused vocals. Kill For Love is more pop based and 80s. They’re slotted within the tracklist and I think both would’ve worked as part of the main album.

How bad do you want me? Is starting to blow up on socials. with the comparisons to Taylor.

in the US it's climbed to 9 on itunes and it's the only track that's holding up on UK itunes at 21.

I'm not surprised, I think it really sounds like a hit

^^Agreed

Also agreed! I'd be here for it getting single treatment.

I'm a few days in now and I must admit I've listened to this A LOT. I don't feel the need to skip anything at all, I'm going to say this ranks as her second best album for me with only Born This Way ahead of it

The Fame / Monster would also probably be ahead if it just consisted of the Monster tracks and the three main singles from the Fame, but it doesn't so it can stay behind!

The run of 'How Bad Do U Want Me?', 'Don't Call Tonight' & 'Shadow Of A Man' is seriously FLAWLESS.

'Don't Call Tonight' is VERY underrated already I fear!

11 hours ago, Tafty said:

The run of 'How Bad Do U Want Me?', 'Don't Call Tonight' & 'Shadow Of A Man' is seriously FLAWLESS.

'Don't Call Tonight' is VERY underrated already I fear!

This 100% im still struggling with most the album bar these 3 and the first 2, the performance of abracadabra is flawless. Shadow of a man i think is my favourite but even then I'm forcing myself on this album atm

The Amazon vinyl variant is STUNNING! Mine was delayed for some reason but arrived today and I think it could be my favourite. I hadn’t realised the inner sleeves / poster matched the cover.

I really love the white / black / orange combination and the etching looks great on the solid block white vinyl colour.

TBH, I thought the album is going to be a little... wilder (a bit more 'Born This Way'), but many are simple, accessible songs.

'How Bad Do U Want Me' is really creeping up on me!

“MAYHEM” — Spotify Update:

1st day — 45,737,529

2nd day — 35,140,378 (-23%)

3rd day — 28,585,864 (-18.6%)

4th day — 29,353,731 (+2.7%)

Total: 138,817,432 unfiltered streams

Great numbers!

Even if DWAS wasn't on the album, it would've done around 22M on Monday. SMASH

Edited March 11Mar 11 by Sour Candy

46 minutes ago, HausofKubrick said:

“MAYHEM” — Spotify Update:

1st day — 45,737,529

2nd day — 35,140,378 (-23%)

3rd day — 28,585,864 (-18.6%)

4th day — 29,353,731 (+2.7%)

Total: 138,817,432 unfiltered streams

Great numbers!

This might sound stupid but what is the difference between "filtered" and "unfiltered" streams? I always see people say "unfiltered streams" etc.. but I never thought to question it until now lol.

1 hour ago, Tafty said:

This might sound stupid but what is the difference between "filtered" and "unfiltered" streams? I always see people say "unfiltered streams" etc.. but I never thought to question it until now lol.

In music streaming, "filtered streams" represent legitimate listens used for official charts, while "unfiltered streams" encompass all plays, including potentially artificial ones, reflected on the song's page or artist's counter. 

^ so I guess that means they have a way of separating actual plays from those done by creating mass playlists etc? I guess filtered is the best barometer?

Also this video is so great to listen to. She speaks so eloquently about the artistic vision of the album - it's so well thought out!

https://x.com/PopCrave/status/1899545693011824689?s=19

2 minutes ago, HausofKubrick said:

In music streaming, "filtered streams" represent legitimate listens used for official charts, while "unfiltered streams" encompass all plays, including potentially artificial ones, reflected on the song's page or artist's counter. 

^ so I guess that means they have a way of separating actual plays from those done by creating mass playlists etc? I guess filtered is the best barometer?

Also this video is so great to listen to. She speaks so eloquently about the artistic vision of the album - it's so well thought out!

https://x.com/PopCrave/status/1899545693011824689?s=19

That makes sense. Thank you!