On March 7th, 2025, Lady Gaga released the highly anticipated album named “MAYHEM” after teasing the song “Abracadabra” on many other social platforms. This record marks a striking return to her pop roots, while she also pushes the boundaries of the genre with a bold, experimental edge to it. Many music critics and pop lovers alike are buzzing about the new album’s energy, signaling a powerful chapter in Gaga’s ever evolving career that just keeps getting better.
The album includes 14 different songs, all with a symbolic meaning behind them. These include “Abracadabra,” “Blade of Grass,” “Die With A Smile (feat. Bruno Mars,)” “Disease,” “Don’t Call Tonight,” “Garden of Eden,” “How Bad Do U Want Me,” “Killah,” “LoveDrug,” “Perfect Celebrity,” “Shadow of A Man,” “The Beast,” “Vanish into You,” and “Zombieboy.” Beyond the infectious melodies and the driving beat that keeps the songs alive, this album is rich with symbolic depth. The title of the album itself signifies willingness to confront and embrace the chaotic aspects of life. Gaga herself even mentions that “MAYHEM” represents parts of herself and life that are somewhat difficult to accept at some points, and it also highlights a path of self-discovery and coming to terms with her inner confusion or turmoil.
The most popular and hyped up song by far for the album was “Abracadabra,” which was teased on socials by Gaga herself, as well as released as a single for those to enjoy before the album officially came out. This song is incredibly rich with symbolism, and fundamentally this song is about facing the challenges of life and finding the magic in it all, no pun intended. The song itself uses latin terms like “amor,” translating to love, and “morta,” translating to death, to highlight a theme of duality. It also highlights that life isn’t just about the fun; it’s about serious topics like life, death, and love itself when coming to living it to the fullest. She also uses the “in red” figure to represent the internal monologue and “all of you that puts you to the test.” This symbolizes the internal struggles that individuals face and the requirement to face those challenges head on.
Another song that is rich in symbolism from this album is “Shadow of a Man.” The phrase itself strongly implies the feeling of being overshadowed by male influence, and it can be interpreted as a commentary on the patriarchal structure and the challenges women face today when trying to assert their authority. This song also signifies a desire to break free from society’s stereotypical restraints and to step out from the shadows into the light. It’s a declaration of self-empowerment by Gaga.
With her new album, she has proven once again that she’s able to transcend expectations and redefine herself as the “New Queen of Pop.” This album’s bold experimentation, the deep lyrical themes, and the symbolism positions this as a significant milestone in her career. It’s clear to all pop lovers alike that Gaga is here to stay, and she’s not losing her magical talent anytime soon.
