Lady Gaga is an artist in constant transformation. Mayhem is the latest link in this evolution, but it’s neither entirely radical nor completely familiar. The album fuses electronic dance, dark pop, and industrial elements, dominated by heavy synths and gritty vocals.
Nine Inch Nails, Radiohead, and Industrial Influences
In her statements about Mayhem, Lady Gaga cited inspirations like Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead. Particularly, Nine Inch Nails’ The Downward Spiral album and the iconic track Closer played a significant role in shaping its sound. She also mentioned David Bowie and Prince as influences. The album feels like a mixtape from Gaga’s Favorites playlist on Spotify—part nostalgia, part innovation, packed with experimentation and a fusion of elements from different worlds.
Industrial music is deeply embedded throughout the album. Gaga blends disco, electronic dance, pop, and industrial music to craft a unique atmosphere. The use of acid synths especially makes listeners question the album’s direction.
Digital Distortion Over Guitars
The heavy metal spirit heard in Electric Chapel from Born This Way is absent in Mayhem. However, it certainly embraces a more experimental edge. This time, Gaga replaces hard-hitting guitar riffs with a more digital and mechanical aesthetic. The album tells a story of chaos, though this chaos doesn’t always come in a neatly structured musical package. There are high-energy moments, but at times, the sound feels mechanical and soulless.
Album Title & Theme: Joy in Chaos?
Lady Gaga explained the meaning behind the album’s title:
“I named the album MAYHEM because I wanted to acknowledge that parts of life, and parts of me, are not always easy to accept. At first, naming it this way was difficult because I didn’t want this feeling to be real. But I am also full of hope, a dreamer. In the end, I realized: Mayhem reflects the fragile pieces of who we are and the brokenness of the world. And yet, it’s this very chaos that teaches us the power of joy, of dancing, of crying, of laughing, of listening to music, of holding the people we love. And we keep doing it, over and over again! This album is fun, and I love that a fun album carries the name MAYHEM.”
Gesaffelstein & More
One of the most striking production choices is the collaboration with Gesaffelstein, a clear sign of Gaga diving deeper into a darker electronic landscape.
But then, just when you expect things to stay dark and heavy, Zombieboy flips the script, and suddenly, there’s Gwen Stefani coming through—a full-on funky disco vibe with guitars!
One of the album’s biggest surprises is the closing track, Die with a Smile, featuring Bruno Mars. After an album filled with harsher, more digitized Gaga vocals, this track takes a warmer, organic, and nostalgic turn.
Unlike the album’s mechanical and digital sound, this song follows a more classic pop structure, creating a sharp contrast to Mayhem’s chaotic energy.
Looking Ahead
Judging by Mayhem’s sound, predicting Gaga’s next move is tough. If she leans further into the Nine Inch Nails and industrial rock influence, she could push her experimental sound even harder. On the other hand, with electronic music’s growing dominance, her next album might be a full-fledged acid disco explosion.
For now, one thing is certain: Lady Gaga continues to channel her inspirations and push boundaries.
