Every aspect of her persona—her outfits, her lyrics, even her very essence—was meticulously examined by fans, critics, and the media alike. When Gaga announced her new projects, speculation buzzed like a hive; what creative marvel would she unveil this time? When some of these endeavors failed to meet the astronomical benchmarks she had established early in her career, the speculation morphed into declarations: Gaga's reign as the pinnacle of pop music must surely be waning.
Nearly two decades after her industry-altering debut, the pop icon still grapples with the immense weight of these expectations. "Ever since my first album," Gaga confides to Billboard, "I couldn't help but listen to what people were saying. 'Will she surpass herself again? Can she top her previous works? Will she live up to this? She needs to evolve; she hasn't changed enough.' The noise was deafening."
As she embarked on creating her seventh studio album, the clamor hadn't subsided. Fans, who had christened the untitled project "LG7," eagerly shared their wishlists, pondering what Gaga would tackle next. What genre would captivate her attention this time? Would high-profile collaborations materialize? Could the long-anticipated sequel to "Telephone" finally see the light of day?
Sitting in a New York hotel conference room, Gaga's shoulders relax, a sigh of relief escaping her lips. "Relieving myself of that pressure helped me appreciate what truly matters about me as a person," she says, her face softening with a gentle smile. "When you prioritize your artistry and set aside the rest, it imbues you with a profound sense of dignity. I hadn't realized how much I yearned for that."
Mayhem, Gaga's long-anticipated new album (released on Friday, March 7 via Interscope Records), doesn't concern itself with fulfilling expectations. Instead, it playsfully toys with them, morphing through various sonic and thematic landscapes before cohesive themes can be discerned. In a musical landscape fixated on "album eras," Mayhem defies easy categorization. One moment, it's a grinding industrial techno symphony; the next, it's a soulful, heart-wrenching ballad. Mayhem's title becomes a thesis statement—its unifying thread is chaos.
This pandemonium was sown early in the album's creation, thanks to Gaga's experimental spirit in the studio. As she embarked on writing and recording her new project, the singer adopted a piecemeal approach to her creative process, a refreshing departure from her past endeavors. "There have been times in my career where I had a clear vision of how to conceptually approach a record," she shares. "But I would say that this album, from start to finish, was like a puzzle coming together. I didn't want to force anything artificial; I wanted to let the music guide me. By doing so, it slowly reminded me of my earlier work."
As Gaga began assembling her music, she crafted a mantra for her album work: "Embrace the chaos." Rather than struggling under the expectation of finding a cohesive sonic or thematic subject, she chose to immerse herself in the tumult and see where it led her. This process involved collaborating with a new cadre of creative minds—working closely with co-executive producer Andrew Watt and partners like Cirkut and Gesaffelstein, Gaga shaped an album that sounded unmistakably like her while infusing it with freshness. As Cirkut explained to Billboard in November 2024, striking this balance wasn't always easy. "Do you strive for something so different that you stray from what you're known for?" he pondered. "But if you stick to what's familiar, doesn't that risk feeling like 'more of the same'?"
Gaga reveals that she leaned heavily on her intuition during the recording process. "I seek collaborators who uphold me as a woman in the studio and align with my vision," she explains. "Musically, I worked with people who challenged me—so it wouldn't be a carbon copy of what you've heard before, but it retains the DNA of my approach to pop music."
Her unique approach to pop music reaps rich rewards throughout "Mayhem." An early standout track, "Perfect Celebrity," finds Gaga delving deeper into the complexities of fame that have defined her career, turning the knife of introspection just a fraction more fiercely. Serving as a shadowy reflection of her 2009 hit "Paparazzi," "Perfect Celebrity" shines a spotlight on Gaga herself as she ponders the relentless pursuit of fame. "I'm crafted from plastic, a human doll/ You manipulate me, yet I feel no pain," she croons. "My words swirl in circles as my mind throbs/ You profess your love, and I crumble into dust."
Reflecting on the songwriting process, Gaga reveals, "I had this internal struggle, thinking, 'You can't pen this. You can't reveal this aspect of yourself.' But then I thought, 'No...embrace it. What do you truly wish to convey?' It swiftly became entangled; acknowledging my desire to be a star, and the myriad of complications it brought into my life. There was also that anger directed inward, at myself, for inviting this chaos."
She pauses momentarily before continuing, "I was apprehensive about including it on the album. But 'Mayhem' is an album where I lay it all bare," she admits.
That's not to imply that "Mayhem" is entirely shrouded in shadows. Later tracks, such as the glitzy disco anthem "Zombieboy," showcase Gaga shedding her self-seriousness to embrace unadulterated pop hedonism. "Part of my personal mayhem is the sheer fun of it all, which is why I keep doing it," she explains. "This duality complicates things—it's dark, it distances me from myself, yet it's the most exhilarating time. It's the moment at a party when you're so enveloped in the euphoria that you fully accept the impending hangover, yet you're immersed in the moment."
Despite its experimental and twisted nature, the initial teasers of "Mayhem" have resonated with global audiences. "Die With a Smile," the album's closing collaboration with Bruno Mars, reigned supreme for five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100—the second-longest reign among the star's singles, trailing only behind her 2011 behemoth "Born This Way" by a single week. Meanwhile, "Abracadabra" debuted at No. 1 on the Hot Dance/Pop Songs chart, where it reigned for three weeks and continues to hover within the Hot 100's top 40.
Gaga remains awestruck by the immediate success of both tracks. "I am incredibly grateful and utterly overwhelmed," she says. "I never anticipated anything like this, because you never know for sure; all you can do is give your best. This is truly an honor and a privilege."
"Die With a Smile" not only cemented its status as one of Gaga's most resounding successes but also adorned her with her 14th Grammy, a triumph she shared with Mars in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category at the 2025 awards ceremony. As she ascended the stage during the February event, Gaga took the opportunity to shine a light on the transgender community, affirming to the worldwide audience that "trans people are not invisible" and that they, too, "deserve love." Addressing the current administration's relentless onslaught against the trans community, Gaga's words were unequivocal: "I find it abyssally horrible, violent, and wrong." She extended her heartfelt love and gratitude to the trans community, celebrating their unparalleled strength and affection.
Gaga often voices similar sentiments towards her loyal fanbase, the Little Monsters, acknowledging their enduring engagement with her through art, fashion, and politics. Her fans, ever ardent and vocal in their support, have lately undergone a transformation that has not escaped the Mother Monster's notice. "For nearly two decades, I've witnessed the Little Monsters' incredible spirit. I haven't seen such an outpouring in a very long time," she remarks, highlighting the myriad of videos fans have shared on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where they meticulously learn her choreography and create new artistic expressions inspired by her music. "From the dancing, makeup, hairstyles, to the costumes, it brings me immense joy and I am deeply honored. My sole desire is to create music that, when played, elevates your spirits throughout its duration, prompting you to hit replay."
This renewed vigor among her fans might very well be mirrored by a similar rejuvenation within Gaga herself. Fans on TikTok have observed Gaga's frequent engagement with fan-made videos, with some even coining the term "conjuring Gaga" to describe the phenomenon. With a smile, Gaga confirms, "That's indeed me. We've always been this connected; it's just that the means to communicate have never been as widespread. I mean, how could I resist? I often say I have the best view because I get to witness the magic of my fans firsthand."
As her fans eagerly anticipate a new album, her singles rack up global hits, and her meticulously crafted album nears release, Gaga casts a final glance at the weight of expectations accumulated over her career, only to brush them aside. "Over the years, I felt immense pressure to prove myself as a musician," she admits. "And at times, it hindered my enjoyment. So, I made sure to have a blast while recording this album."
