Mayhem is the sixth solo studio album by American singer and songwriterLady Gaga and her eighth overall.[a] It was released on March 7, 2025, throughStreamline andInterscope Records. Recording took place atRick Rubin'sShangri-La studio in Malibu. Gaga collaborated with producers such asAndrew Watt,Cirkut, andGesaffelstein, resulting in an album that has a "chaotic blur of genres", mainlysynth-pop, withindustrial dance influences, and elements ofelectro,disco,funk,industrial pop,rock andpop rock. Thematically, it explores love, chaos, fame, identity, and desire, using metaphors of transformation, duality, and excess. Visually, the era was characterized by a dark, avant-garde aesthetic with gothic and cyberpunk influences.
The album was preceded by two singles: the lead single "Disease", released on October 25, 2024, and theGrammy-winning track "Abracadabra", released on February 3, 2025, with the latter reaching number five on theBillboard Global 200.Mayhem also features the Grammy-winning global number-one duet withBruno Mars, "Die with a Smile", as well as "The Dead Dance" on its digital reissue. To promote the record, Gaga made several televised appearances, and createdThe Art of Personal Chaos, a theatrical concert production. An initial iteration of the show served as the basis formajor 2025 performances, includingCoachella and a free Copacabana Beach show that drewa record-breaking crowd.[b] An expanded version was incorporated into her eighth concert tour,The Mayhem Ball (2025–2026). Both incarnations of the show received significant praise. Gaga also staged a one-off concert,Mayhem: Requiem, in Los Angeles in January 2026.
Mayhem received critical acclaim, with reviewers deeming it a strong return to Gaga's pop roots, particularly reminiscent ofThe Fame (2008). It was applauded for its production, stylistic diversity, artistic boldness, and cohesive blend of genres and concepts. It became Gaga's highest-rated release onMetacritic.Mayhem received multiple nominations at the68th Annual Grammy Awards, includingAlbum of the Year, and wonBest Pop Vocal Album. The record topped the charts in 23 countries and reached number two in France, the Netherlands, and Sweden. In the United States, it became Gaga's seventh album to top theBillboard 200, achieving the largest first-week sales of 2025 for a female album, a record it held for six months, and wascertified platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America. It also received gold and platinum certifications in several other territories.
In 2022, Gaga embarked onthe Chromatica Ball and began working on new material.[6][7] For several months prior to the album's announcement, Gaga shared photographs on social media of herself in a recording studio.[8] In March 2024, Gaga spoke publicly about the project for the first time, stating in an interview that she was "writing some of the best songs I can remember."[9]
The following May, she released the concert filmGaga Chromatica Ball (2024), which contained a snippet of new music at the end.[10] Gaga has said that the upcoming pop album was made "from a place of happiness".[11][12] Her fiancéMichael Polansky recommended that she create a pop album and "lean in to the joy of it".[13] In mid-2024, Gaga began offering additional teasers for her new project. In July, she surprised fans by playing snippets of two unreleased songs after her performance at theopening ceremony of the2024 Summer Olympics.[14] During a December 2024 interview with theLos Angeles Times, Gaga announced her duet withBruno Mars, "Die with a Smile", would be part of the album.[15]
Gaga's fiancéMichael Polansky (pictured) served as an executive producer ofMayhem, alongside Watt and Gaga herself.
According to Gaga, the inspiration for the album stemmed from a period of deep introspection and personal challenges.[16] Gaga,Andrew Watt and Polansky are listed as the executive producers ofMayhem.[17] She described the album as "a transgressive journey through genres" that reflects her diverse musical influences and life experiences.[18] In an interview withRolling Stone on December 10, 2024, Gaga characterized the project as aneclectic work that amalgamates various genres, styles, and emotions, all guided by her profound love of music. She elaborated:
The album is imbued with my love for music: a diversity of genres, styles, and dreams. It leaps from one genre to another in a manner that feels almost corrupt, and it culminates in love. That's my answer to all the chaos in my life: I find peace in love. Every song I wrote emerged from surrendering to different dreams tied to my past, almost like a recollection of all the bad decisions I've made throughout my life. There are moments where we sonically push the sound to extremes, and others where everything revolves around love. That, to me, represents true chaos. It's sometimes difficult to see the light, but I think what makes inner chaos more challenging is when you occasionally catch a glimpse of the sun. For this reason, the album offers a bit of everything. It's a complete experience.[19]
Regarding her inspiration, the artist stated, "The album started as me facing my fear of returning to thepop music my earliest fans loved," further comparing the creative process to "reassembling a shattered mirror: even if you can't put the pieces back together perfectly, you can create something beautiful and whole in its own new way."[20] Gaga has called the album, which was inspired byindustrial dance music,[21] "chaotic" and "genre-bending".[22] An unspecified song from the record has been described by Jonathan Van Meter ofVogue as "intense and ominous... old-school Gaga banger, unsettling but also buoyant".[23] French DJ and record producerGesaffelstein collaborated on the album.[21]
In May 2024, during a Q&A session following the premiere of her specialGaga Chromatica Ball, Gaga revealed that she was deeply immersed in writing and recording the album. She described the material as "completely different from anything I've done before" and emphasized her exploration of breaking musical genres and incorporating new creative influences. Gaga explained that each song is a reflection of her own internal chaos, presented with a celebratory tone aimed at connecting with audiences in various settings, from a party to an intimate moment at home.[18]
ProducerCirkut toldBillboard that the goal withMayhem's lead single, "Disease", was to capture "the essence of Gaga" with "a fresh spin on it".[30] He described it as "bold and aggressive", aiming for a dramatic, theatrical sound that "immediately impacts the listener".[30] Producer Watt called the recording process "spontaneous", recalling how "Gaga hears something, grabs the microphone, and flows".[31] He added that "Abracadabra" was created on the spot, with Gaga developing the melody and structuring it on piano.[31] According to Gaga, the song came together within minutes, in contrast to other tracks on the album that required longer development, reinforcing her description of the project as a return to an instinctive, live-driven approach.[32] Regarding her collaboration with Mars, Gaga said she received a call one night during the recording sessions, and they met at a nearby studio.[33] That night, they completed "Die with a Smile", drawing on 1970s-style harmonies and artists likeCarole King andJames Taylor.[34][35] Watt said the session was entirely live, with Gaga writing chords and bass lines while Mars played guitar. Although initially not planned for the album, Gaga described the track as the "missing piece" that unified its themes of love, chaos, and reconciliation, while Watt affirmed it was always meant to be part of the project,[31] since it was recorded during theMayhem sessions.[36]
TheMayhem era was defined by a dark, avant-garde aesthetic with gothic influences.[27][37][38] Throughout the album's promotion, Gaga wore monochromatic outfits that reinforced this concept, blending references from cyberpunk, goth, and high fashion.[27][39] This style has drawn comparisons to herBorn This Way (2011) era, albeit with a more minimalist and futuristic approach. Gaga described the aesthetic as "something anxious at its core, yet with a poetic and visually striking approach despite its darkness." She also noted that the artistic direction of the project was influenced by the anxiety she experiences while creating music—a feeling that, according to her, permeates the entire process until her ideas take tangible form. In an interview withInStyle, she stated that this sensation was also reflected in the album's visual construction, adding: "From a color perspective, I was really excited at first to explore things that were bold, but also maybe a little anxiety-inducing, because there is an anxiety I feel when I make music."[37]
In the music videos, this duality is materialized through characters representing different facets of Gaga's identity.[27] For the video costumes, she collaborated with various designers. In "Disease", she wore creations by Peri Rosenzweig, Nick Royal,Charles de Vilmorin, andComme des Garçons,[40] while in "Abracadabra", the outfits were designed byOlivier Theyskens and Sam Lewis, with hats by Stephen Jones and Maximilian Gedra, and accessories from Chrome Hearts and Dosisg6c.[41] For the latter video, Gaga emphasized that she worked with her team to minimize the environmental impact of the wardrobe, repurposing materials such as old wedding dresses and discarded fabrics from previous projects.[42] For "The Dead Dance",Colleen Atwood created aVictorian-inspired look with a corset bustier, tiered skirt, and ribbon details; by the end, Gaga appears in a babydoll tank top and puffed pants.[43][44] The artistic direction ofMayhem's music videos has been compared toThe Fame Monster (2009) era for its dark and theatrical aesthetic.[45][46]Vogue's Christian Allaire described the visual concept as "a twisted fashion fantasy, equal parts glamorous and grotesque," highlighting its avant-garde costumes and makeup.[40] Other outlets, includingRolling Stone,Billboard, andPitchfork, praised the meticulous fusion of art and high fashion, drawing comparisons to "Bad Romance" (2009) and emphasizing its strong conceptual and cinematic quality.[47][46] The visual style introduced throughout the album's promotion was later expanded in the wardrobe of the Mayhem Ball, which continued Gaga's exploration of duality through gothic and operatic imagery.[48][49]
In February 2025, during events like the67th Annual Grammy Awards and the FireAid Concert, Gaga maintained a cohesive image with dramatic black dresses, structured silhouettes, and striking details such as her mini-bob haircut and bleached eyebrows.[37][50] At the Grammys, she wore a Victorian-inspired black ensemble by Samuel Lewis, paired with a vintageTiffany & Co. necklace designed under Louis Comfort Tiffany's direction.[51] A month later, for herSaturday Night Live performance on March 8, she continued this theatrical aesthetic with two contrasting outfits: a structured red ensemble for "Abracadabra", echoing its music video imagery, and a purple outfit for "Killah", whichVariety noted as a nod toPrince andglam rock. The magazine described her stage presence as "hyperkinetic," praising both her energy and the meticulous visual direction.[52] After the show, Gaga was spotted wearing aVictoria's Secret bodysuit paired with a headpiece by Spanish designer Betto García, a look that, according toVogue, showcased "her ability to seamlessly integrate avant-garde fashion into her artistic image."[53]
According to Gaga,Mayhem is a tribute to her "love for music, bringing together a wide variety of genres, styles, and different dreams."[15] In an interview with theLos Angeles Times, she said the album is heavily influenced byindustrial music and other strands ofelectronic music, explaining: "I've probably been judged for not sticking to just one thing, but not doing so is my life force."[16] She described the sound as "utter chaos" that "breaks a lot of rules and is a lot of fun", citing influences including "'90salternative,electro-grunge, Prince andDavid Bowie melodies, guitar and attitude,funkybass lines,French electronic music, andanalog synthesizers."[16][54] From a genre perspective, she added: "It just feels good. It sounds good. It's about following your own chaos to wherever in life it may take you."[16]Slant Magazine stated thatMayhem trades almost entirely in 1980s synth-pop, especially in its middle stretch, from "Zombieboy" to theBowie-esque "Killah".[55]Rolling Stone described it as a tribute to Gaga's musical influences, calling it "chaotic and ever-changing".[18]
Her fiancé, Michael Polansky, played a key creative role and encouraged her to return to pop music.[56] Gaga explained that his support helped her reconnect with her artistry and described the album as "a renewed happiness" compared toChromatica.[57] The song "Blade of Grass" was inspired by a conversation between them,[58] and he also convinced her to keep the track "How Bad Do U Want Me" on the album.[59] She stated in interviews that the album marked a break from conceptual constraints and reflected a process of personal rediscovery.[60][16] Gaga explained:
"While making this album, I truly learned to love myself through all of it. Part of the message... is that your demons are with you at the beginning and at the end... Maybe we can become friends with this reality sooner, instead of constantly running away from it."[16]
Musically,Mayhem is mainly asynth-pop album,[55] incorporating elements ofelectro,disco,funk,industrial pop,rock,pop rock,dance, andsoft rock.[c] The album marks Gaga's return to a bolder and more experimental sound, moving away from the aesthetics ofChromatica (2020) and reclaiming the eclectic style that defined her early career.[56] According to the artist,Mayhem is a tribute to her "love for music, bringing together a wide variety of genres, styles, and different dreams."[56] In an interview with theLos Angeles Times, she explained that the project is heavily influenced by industrial music, reflecting her interest in exploring different facets of electronic music, and emphasized her constant pursuit of blending genres: "Some may have criticized me for not sticking to a single musical direction, but that's exactly what gives me life."[15]
Fusing influences from electro-grunge,theatrical rock, and funk,Mayhem creates a varied yet cohesive production.[64][65][67]Rolling Stone described it as "a fusion of her electronic roots with an overwhelming energy,"[68] whileThe Guardian highlighted her ability to blend industrial, house, and disco without losing relevance.[69]NME andClash agreed that the album represents a return to the artist's "maximalist pop," featuring memorable hooks and production that ranges from eurodance and 1970s funk to sonic experimentation.[61][70] Meanwhile,The Independent noted thatMayhem stands out for its controlled chaos, merging the intensity of her early work with a polished and modern production.[71]
The singer also emphasized thatballroom culture has been a constant influence on her art, noting that from a young age she was inspired by "the grace, freedom, and expression" of the scene, which she discovered in New York throughParis Is Burning (1990).[27][72] Beyond its stylistic diversity,Mayhem is also characterized by an unconventional structure, where each song functions as a chapter within the album's overarching concept.[27] According to Gaga, her intention was to "break away from the idea of a single sound" and explore different emotions through music.[16] She toldRolling Stone, "I wanted to revisit old paths while opening new ones, something I think is difficult to do. There are moments on the album where some people might say, 'Oh, that reminds me of this,' because I have a style, but I've made a musical effort to take myself somewhere new."[73] The artist has described the album as "a series of gothic dreams where dance-pop energy, industrial darkness, and rock theatricality coexist."[27]
The main themes withinMayhem revolve around fame, identity, desire, and chaos, explored through metaphors of transformation, duality, and excess.[74][75][76] The songs address the impact of celebrity, the internal struggle between public image and personal identity, as well as euphoria and debauchery as forms of escapism.[77][78] The album opens with "Disease", a track that fuses dance-pop, EDM, industrial,rock and rage.[64][79] Gaga expresses an obsessive desire to heal her lover,[80] delivering "rock-infused and guttural" vocals that drew comparisons to punk.[81][82] The second track, "Abracadabra", is a dance-pop song with elements of electropop, dark pop, house and europop.[83] It samples "Spellbound" bySiouxsie and the Banshees, earning co-writing credits for the band.[84] Gaga said the lyrics are about "facing challenges and finding magic."[42] "Garden of Eden", the third track, blends 2000s pop with electronic textures and a distorted chorus.[85] Critics noted its rave-like feel and contrast of euphoria and darkness.[67][86]
Track four, "Perfect Celebrity", uses electro-grunge to critique celebrity culture and media perception.[67][75][27][87] "Vanish into You", the fifth track, blends glam rock and experimental pop, with Bowie-inspired choruses and lyrics about surrender.[67] Track six, "Killah", produced byGesaffelstein, features industrial electro-funk,Nine Inch Nails influences, andfemme fatale lyrics.[65][67] "Zombieboy", the seventh song, is a tribute toRick Genest, mixing funk and disco with lyrics about excess.[67][88] Track eight, "LoveDrug", evokes arena rock, while its lyrics reference addiction as a metaphor for love, reflecting themes of emotional pain.[67]
The ninth song, "How Bad Do U Want Me", channels 1980s synth-pop and explores image and desire, referencing theVince Clarke era ofDepeche Mode andYazoo.[89][90][69] The next track, "Don't Call Tonight", returns to funk andeuropop with talk box effects and lyrics about toxic love. Track eleven, "Shadow of a Man", discusses sexism, particularly in the music and entertainment industry, over a disco-electropop base.[67][69][91] Track twelve, "The Beast", plays with duality and desire, featuring a dramatic guitar solo.[67] The penultimate track, "Blade of Grass", is a minimalist ballad inspired by Gaga's fiancé and a symbolic proposal.[92][67][93] The album closes with "Die with a Smile", a soulful ballad withBruno Mars, which centers on unconditional love amid chaos.[66][94]
Additional tracks released on certain album versions include "The Dead Dance", which combines funky rhythms with 1980s-inspired synths and lyrics about transformation and resilience,[95][96] "Can't Stop the High", described by Gaga as "pure electro grunge",[97] and "Kill for Love", a dark electropop track that explores themes of desire, danger, and devotion.[98]
During promotion forJoker: Folie à Deux (2024), Gaga announced that the album's lead single would be released in October 2024, with the album originally set to follow in February the following year.[13] On January 21, 2025, Gaga launched a countdown on her website set to end on January 27.[99] Each day, the website showcased artwork inspired by her previous material, beginning withThe Fame (2008) and continuing withThe Fame Monster (2009),Born This Way (2011),Artpop (2013),Joanne (2016),Chromatica (2020) andHarlequin (2024).[100] When the countdown ended, the album's title, official cover art, and March 7 release date were revealed.[18][101] Prior to the official announcement, promotional posters appeared inNew York City, featuring a black-and-white photograph of Gaga accompanied by the album's title and release date written in red at the bottom.[102]
On February 17, Gaga updated her website with a new interactive background. Visitors could uncover lyrics from the album that appeared and vanished as the cursor moved across the screen.[103] On February 22, Gaga revealed the official tracklist on social media, confirming thatMayhem would feature 14 tracks in its standard edition, plus two bonus tracks.[104]Mayhem was released worldwide via Interscope Records in CD, digital download, streaming, and vinyl formats.[17] Various limited-edition physical formats were also issued, including vinyl and cassette versions featuring the original cover design.[105] In September, a digital reissue of the album incorporated "The Dead Dance", along with "Can’t Stop the High" and "Kill for Love", the latter two previously exclusive to certain physical editions.[106]
The standard edition cover features Gaga with disheveled black hair and her face slightly distorted behind a shattered glass.[101] The back cover maintains the black-and-white scheme, withMayhem written in a distorted and aggressive font, while Lady Gaga appears below in a more classic typeface, with the first "A" inverted.[107] The photoshoot was overseen by Frank Lebon.[102] In an interview withElle, Gaga revealed that the album's title corresponds to a character whose presence is felt throughout the album's tracks: Mayhem. In the music videos for "Disease" and "Abracadabra", the character—portrayed by Gaga—appears as a blood-eyed figure driving a car and running over one of her own versions, and later challenges the audience to "dance for their lives".[16][102][42] Regarding the choice of title, Gaga revealed that she had initially considered naming the albumPerfect Celebrity while exploring an electro-grunge sound,[24] but ultimately decided on a different direction.[97] She stated that the album's title reflects her attempt to confront and accept aspects of herself and of life that she had previously found difficult to face.[42] She further elaborated:
It was hard at first to name the albumMayhem because I so much don't want that feeling to be real. I am also a hopeful person. I'm also somebody that is a dreamer, but what I think I ultimately arrived at is; it's all of the fractures of who we are and the fractures in the world and the mayhem of that brokenness that ultimately teaches us the power of joy, and dancing and crying and laughing and listening to music and holding your friends and your family and repeat! This album is fun and I enjoyed the contrast of a fun album that's also calledMayhem.[42]
On December 15, 2024, Gaga performed "Disease" and "Die with a Smile" during a Christmas special ofCarpool Karaoke, released onApple TV+.[108]Hot Ones, aYouTube series, released an episode featuring an interview with Gaga on February 13, 2025.[109] An appearance on theVanity Fair "Lie Detector Test" web series followed on February 19.[110] On March 5, in collaboration withESPN, Gaga revealed a preview of "Garden of Eden", which was selected as the official song for their2025 Formula One season.[111]Spotify hosted a "Little Monster Press Conference" on March 6, during which Gaga answered questions from her fans.[27] OnSaturday Night Live'sMarch 8 episode, Gaga took on "double duty" for the second time in her career, appearing as both the host and musical guest for the night. She performed "Abracadabra" and "Killah" live for the first time.[112][52] On March 11, she performed acoustic versions of "Abracadabra" and "Perfect Celebrity" live onThe Howard Stern Show.[113] On March 13, Gaga andMastercard hosted Club Mayhem, an exclusive dance party in Los Angeles where the singer joined her fans and dancers.[114]
Gaga at aMayhem-themed Halloween event organized by YouTube at La Paloma in Barcelona, October 2025
On May 13, 2025, Gaga performed "Abracadabra", "Perfect Celebrity", "How Bad Do U Want Me" and "Vanish into You" during a five-song set at the YouTube Brandcast event, held at theGeffen Hall in New York City.[115] On May 31, 2025, she participated inNetflix'sTudum event with a special presentation inspired byWednesday, emerging from a coffin with the inscription "Here lies the monster queen" to perform "Zombieboy" and "Abracadabra", accompanied by dancers with a gothic aesthetic reminiscent ofthe Addams Family.[116] In August, Gaga partnered with the multiplayerdress-up video gameDress to Impress, where players were able to take part inMayhem-themed challenges, exploring Lady Gaga-inspired outfits and items, and also had the chance to encounter her in-game.[117]
Gaga performed "Abracadabra" and "The Dead Dance" at the2025 MTV Video Music Awards on September 7, in a pre-recorded segment filmed atMadison Square Garden in New York City.[d][118] The following day, she sang a stripped-down piano version of "Vanish into You" onThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert, whichBillboard called "mesmerizing".[119] On October 3, Gaga appeared onKCRW, Santa Monica's radio station, for an interview withChris Douridas, where she discussed the creation ofMayhem and performed "Abracadabra" and "Vanish into You" on piano.[120] Later that month, she attended aMayhem-themed Halloween event held in collaboration with YouTube at Barcelona's La Paloma venue, where she wore an outfit inspired by her song "Garden of Eden" and danced to "Abracadabra" and "The Dead Dance".[121][122]
Gaga performedMayhem: Requiem, a one-off concert, on January 14, 2026, atThe Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles. Produced withApple Music, the gig was recorded for later release. Tickets were offered via a lottery to fans subscribed to updates on Gaga's official website.[123][124] During the show, Gaga performed all songs fromMayhem's standard version in sequence, and presented a darker reinterpretation of the album.[125] On February 1, 2026, Gaga delivered a rock rendition of "Abracadabra" at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. She wore a red feathered outfit with her face enclosed in a cage-like contraption and played aMinimoog,[126] backed by a live band that included producer Watt on guitar and Nine Inch Nails drummerJosh Freese.[127][128] On February 8, 2026, she made a guest appearance duringBad Bunny'sSuper Bowl LX halftime show, where she performed an abridgedsalsa version of "Die with a Smile", supported by the group Los Sobrinos.[129][130] The performance took place during a legally binding onstagewedding ceremony involving a couple who had previously invited Bad Bunny to attend their wedding, which formed part of the show's narrative.[131]
"Disease" was released as the album's lead single on October 25, 2024.[132][133] Anelectropop anddark-pop song, it received positive reviews[134][135] and reached the top thirty in multiple countries, including the United States and United Kingdom.[136][137] The accompanying music video, directed byTanu Muino, was released on October 29, 2025.[138][139] Twoacoustic versions were later released, each with its own performance video: "The Antidote", performed on piano, on November 13, and "The Poison", performed onelectric guitar, on November 20.[140]
On February 2, 2025, Gaga attended the 67th Annual Grammy Awards and debuted the music video for "Abracadabra" during a commercial break as part of a partnership with Mastercard.[141][41] The track was released as the second single the following day.[142] The song's dance-pop energy and its music video's theatrical visuals drew comparisons to Gaga's earlier works, and it became the second top ten—and top five entry fromMayhem and of Gaga's career on theBillboard Global 200 chart following "Die with a Smile".[143] On March 29, the video "Abracadabra (Fan Version)" was released, featuring 32 fans selected through a Mastercard contest.[144] It was directedParris Goebel, who co-directed the earlier music video with Gaga and Bethany Vargas; Goebel also served as choreographer for the "Disease" and "Abracadabra" videos.[145][146] At the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, "Abracadabra" received four nominations, includingRecord andSong of the Year, and wonBest Dance Pop Recording.[147]
Mayhem also includes "Die with a Smile", released as a standalone single alongside its retro-themed music video on August 16, 2024,[148][149] and later included on the album.[15] The song received widespread acclaim and commercial success,[150][151] topping charts in over 30 countries and winning theGrammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.[152][153] On September 3, 2025, Gaga released the single "The Dead Dance" from the soundtrack of the television seriesWednesday.[154] Upon release, the song was included on the digital reissue ofMayhem on streaming platforms.[155] Its accompanying music video, directed byTim Burton and filmed on Mexico'sIsland of the Dolls, premiered the same day and was praised for its gothic, horror-inspired aesthetic and choreography.[156][157]
To promote the album, Gaga staged a theatrical concert experience titledThe Art of Personal Chaos. Produced by Gaga and Michael Polansky and directed by Gaga and Ben Dalgleish of Human Person, with choreography by Parris Goebel,[158][159] the show blends large-scale staging, narrative storytelling, and couture-driven fashion.[48][160][161] Its plot explores themes of duality, death, and rebirth, expanding the operatic and psychological motifs central toMayhem.[48][160]
On March 26, 2025, Gaga announced her eighth concert tour,the Mayhem Ball, via social media.[171][172] The tour presents an updated version ofThe Art of Personal Chaos, keeping its core narrative while revising the setlist and costumes. It launced on July 16, 2025, at theT-Mobile Arena inParadise, Nevada, and is scheduled to conclude on April 13, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.[173][174] Spanning North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia, it comprises 87 shows.[175][176] The first North American leg grossed over $103 million from 27 reported dates—her highest total in a single territory—andBillboard projects the tour to exceed $300 million overall.[177] As of 2025, the tour had grossed $166 million from 35 shows and ranked as the highest-grossing pop tour by a female artist of the year and second overall.[178]
Both the initial incarnation of the show[e] and the tour version[f] were widely acclaimed for Gaga's performance, as well as the production design, costumes, and choreography.
Mayhem was met with critical acclaim upon its release, with several critics highlighting it as a return to form for Gaga.[193] According to the review aggregatorMetacritic,Mayhem received "universal acclaim" based on a weighted average score of 84 out of 100 from 24 critic scores, which is the highest-rated album of her career.[189] The review aggregator site AnyDecentMusic? compiled 25 reviews and gave the album an average of 7.5 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus.[188]
Many critics praisedMayhem for its energetic production, mix of genres, and distinctive artistic vision.Rolling Stone's Brittany Spanos rated it four stars, describing the album as "the strongest pop release of the year".[68]Alexis Petridis ofThe Guardian highlighted its blend ofelectronic,house, anddisco.[69]The Times' Ed Potton described it as "a triumphant return to the pop that originally made her famous".[194]The Daily Telegraph writerNeil McCormick praised Gaga's song structures and hooks, drawing inspiration fromBlondie, David Bowie,Madonna, Prince, and Siouxsie and the Banshees, and concluded that "in such bland pop times, it's good to see her parking her tanks back on the dance floor."[195]Variety's Steven J. Horowitz noted the callbacks to her debut albumThe Fame (2008) and noted it as being "distinctly Gaga."[65]Billboard's Jason Lipshutz praised it for its mix of "big, bold hooks", noting that the album carries "the same propulsive energy of theFame Monster era."[196] Rich Juzwiak fromPitchfork rated it 8/10, calling it "a massive attack of good vibes" and a "reminder of why fans fell in love with Gaga."[75] One month after the album was released, Anna Gaca of the same publication includedMayhem among the best of the year so far, describing it as "a maximalist record with analog synths, nods to pop art and campy horror films," ideal for those who had "a formativeAndy Warhol phase as a teenager."[197]
Los Angeles Times contributor Mikael Wood praised the production and called it "more melodic, more cohesive, and undeniably more fun" than her recent work.[198]The New York Times's Lindsay Zoladz called it "fully polished" highlighting Gaga's energetic and maximalist approach.[199]The Independent's Adam White gave it a five-star review, highlightingMayhem as a return to her pop sound after a decade of exploring other genres.[71]NME writer Nick Levine noted it as a "great Gaga album because it's just so much fun."[61]Rolling Stone UK's Richard Burn notedMayhem had "the very DNA that made her previous recordsThe Fame andBorn This Way a success."[200]The London Standard writer India Block gave a five-star review, calling it "music to dance to all night" with "dancefloor bangers" up front and "pure 80s synth" later on.[191] Bianca Betancourt fromHarper's Bazaar praisedMayhem as "a full-circle reclaiming of Gaga's original sound," citing influences from Bowie, Prince, andMichael Jackson, and calling it "a complete representation of her musical evolution."[201]
MusicOMH's Donovan Livesey gaveMayhem 4.5 out of 5 stars, describing it as "exhilarating" and "her best album in years."[192]The Quietus contributor CJ Thorpe-Tracey described the album as a return to form to her thematic roots.[76]AllMusic's Neil Z. Yeung highlighted the album's industrial influences and fusion of funk and disco, praising Gaga's artistic freedom[190] In a similar vein,Consequence's Mary Siroky called it "a work that balances homage and originality," noting Gaga's ability to channel her influences through her own identity.[74]The Arts Desk's Joe Muggs calledMayhem "a ton of fun" whilstStereogum contributor Abby Jones felt that she "feels larger-than-life while also coming off as incredibly human" on the album.[202][203]The A.V. Club's En Lennon deemed it "her strongest work in years" for its cohesion and focused sound.[204]DIY's Ben Tipple rated it 4 out of 5 stars, calling it "perfectly over-the-top and incredibly fun."[205]
In more mixed reviews,The Line of Best Fit's David Cobbald praised its production but found it lacked the promised chaos in the campaign and called it "an inspired album rather than an inspiring one."[91]Clash reviewer Robin Murray praisedMayhem as an "exciting return to dark pop" and highlighted Gaga's "theatrical return" but said that the transition to softer moments were awkward.[70]Slant Magazine's Alexa Camp rated it only three stars noted strong theatricality but called the album "kind of boring" and a "bait and switch that's likely to leave many fans disappointed."[55] In a similar view, Ludovic Hunter-Tilney ofFinancial Times describedMayhem as "losing its way" and described the album overall as "routinised, risk-averse and not-at-all chaotic."[206]Vulture reviewer Craig Jenkins felt Gaga second-guessed her musical instincts and lamented the "potential" of the album. Jenkins compared the album to similar pop acts revisiting their old sounds, likeTaylor Swift,Katy Perry, andJustin Timberlake.[207] In contrast,Business Insider's Callie Ahlgrim called it "lively and melodic" but viewed the "return to form" narrative as misleading and limiting, criticizing the "avant-garde imagery" marketing hinting a return to Gaga's "provocative pop" but concluding that the album is "not what fans or critics were primed to expect."[208]
Mayhem was included in several year-end lists by music critics and publications.[g]Rolling Stone ranked the album at number 2, noting its ambitious sound and blend of influences.[217]Billboard's Katie Atkinson placed it at number 3, praising its cohesive exploration of themes such as fame, identity and love, and noting its strong critical and commercial impact.[218] Ben Beaumont-Thomas ofThe Guardian rankedMayhem at number five and wrote that Gaga "returned to the operatic electroclash that powered her first two albums."[219]Entertainment Weekly's Wesley Stenzel ranked it at number 5 and highlighted its eclectic scope, viewing it as a confident showcase of Gaga's versatility.[220]The New Yorker's Amanda Petrusich placed it at number 11 and emphasized its "tidy synthesis of everything [Gaga] does best."[221] Mikael Wood of theLos Angeles Times ranked it at number 14, citing its bold energy and theatrical focus.[222] Poppy Burton ofNME placed the album at number 19, praising its assured return to Gaga's early pop sensibilities,[223] whileTime Out's Lewis Corner ranked it at number 22 and noted its varied influences and "fiery pop roots."[224]Consequence's Liz Shannon Miller placed it at number 28, describing it as "dance-pop that's determined to get you on your feet,"[225] andPitchfork listed it among the year's notable pop releases, placing it at number 30.[226] Robin Murray ofClash ranked it at number 32 and wrote that the album reconnects Gaga with a sound and artistic approach that she "deserves to own."[227]
Mayhem achieved commercial success worldwide during its release week, debuting at number one in 23 countries. Various reports indicated that the album's vinyl editions "sold out quickly,"[232][233] successfully debuting at number one on vinyl charts in countries such as Australia, the United States, Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Spain and Sweden, among others.[234][235][236][237]
In the United States,Mayhem debuted at number one on theBillboard 200 with 219,000album-equivalent units sold, becoming Gaga's seventh album to top the chart and recording the biggest week for a female album in 2025,[238] as well as the highest debut by a female artist in over six months.[239] It remained the biggest week for a female album in 2025 until September of that year.[240] Of that total, 136,000 units came from physical sales, allowing it to debut atop theTop Album Sales; according toForbes, this figure exceeded the combined sales of the ten next bestselling albums in the country that same week.[241] Of those physical copies, 74,000 were vinyl records, marking the biggest vinyl sales week of Gaga's career and earning her the number-one spot on the Top Vinyl Albums chart.[239] Meanwhile, 108 million streams within that total gave her the biggest streaming week of her career and led to a number-one debut on Top Streaming Albums.[239]Mayhem also debuted at number one on theTop Dance Albums chart, becoming her eighth album to reach that position and setting a record by surpassingLouie DeVito as the artist with the most number-one albums in the chart's 24-year history.[242] On June 30, the album was certified platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA) after surpassing 1,000,000 units sold.[243] As of July 2025,Mayhem has sold 966,000 album-equivalent units in the United States, including 238,000 pure copies, during the tracking period between January 3 and July 3, 2025.[244] In Canada, the album debuted at number one on theCanadian Albums Chart for the March 22 edition,[245] becoming Gaga's fifth album to reach the top position, and was certified platinum by theMusic Canada after selling over 80,000 units in the country.[246] In Argentina, the album debuted at number one during the week of April 7, becoming Gaga's third album to reach the top position.[247]
In the United Kingdom,Mayhem debuted at number one on theUK Albums Chart with 55,577 album-equivalent units, 36,159 of which were physical copies,[248] becoming Gaga's sixth album to reach the top of the chart.[249] According toMusic Week, the album outsold the rest of the top five combined, while delivering her highest first week sales in the UK since 2013, whenArtpop debuted at number one with consumption of 65,608 units.[250] In its second week on the chart, the album fell three places to number four, selling an additional 12,800 copies.[251] On April 25, the album was certified gold by theBritish Phonographic Industry (BPI) after surpassing 100,000 units sold.[252] In Germany, the album debuted at number one on theGerman Albums Chart, becoming her third chart-topper in the country and first in 14 years sinceBorn This Way (2011).[253] In Spain, the album debuted at number one on theTop 100 Álbumes chart byPromusicae,[254] becoming the singer's first album to reach the top of the ranking.[255] In Austria, Belgium (both in Flanders and Wallonia), Croatia, Scotland, Slovakia, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland, the album debuted at number one on their respective official charts, while in France and the Netherlands, it reached the second position.[236][256] Within theNordic countries,Mayhem debuted at number one in Finland and Norway, while it peaked at number two in Sweden, number three in Denmark and number six in Iceland.[257] In theBaltic states, the album debuted at number three in Lithuania.[258][259]
In Japan, the album debuted at number fourteen on theOricon Albums Chart during the week of March 17, 2025.[260] On theBillboard Japan Hot Albums chart, the album debuted at number 81 during the week of March 12, 2025, with three days of tracking due to its release on March 7;[261] it later peaked at number 7 in February 4, 2026.[262] In Australia, the album debuted at number one on theAustralian Albums Chart, becoming her fifth chart-topper in the country and her thirteenth album to reach the top 50.[263][264] It also reached number one in New Zealand, where it became her fifth album to top theOfficial Top 40 Albums chart.[265]
Some physical editions of the standard album include either "Can't Stop the High",[h] or "Kill for Love"[i] as a bonus track.
In editions featuring additional tracks, the tracks are inserted into the existing track sequence, advancing all subsequent entries by one position without omitting any original songs.
The Apple Music edition includes the music videos for "Disease", "Die with a Smile", "Abracadabra" and "The Dead Dance" at the end of the tracklist.[279]
^Mayhem is Gaga's eighth studio album when including her collaborative albums withTony Bennett,Cheek to Cheek (2014) andLove for Sale (2021). Occasionally, her debut albumThe Fame (2008) and its reissueThe Fame Monster (2009) are counted separately, which would makeMayhem her seventh solo album.[2]
^The concert attracted the largest crowd ever recorded for a female artist. PromoterLive Nation and Gaga's representatives estimated an audience of 2.5 million,[3][4] whilst the local authorities claimed a number of 2.1 million.[5]
^Murray, Robin (December 15, 2025)."Albums Of The Year 2025".Clash Magazine. Archived fromthe original on December 15, 2025. RetrievedDecember 15, 2025.
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