Lady Gaga has revealed that her new album, Mayhem, is deeply inspired by '90s music, drawing influence from bands like Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead.
Set for release on Friday, March 7, Mayhem follows her 2020 album Chromatica and Harlequin, which debuted in September alongside her role in Joker: Folie à Deux. Ahead of the album’s release, Gaga has already given fans a taste of its explosive sound with three powerful singles.
The first, Die With A Smile—a dynamic collaboration with Bruno Mars—shot straight to the top of the charts. It was followed by Disease and Abracadabra, tracks that showcase the album’s intensity and experimental nature. Adding to the excitement, Gaga recently unveiled the full Mayhem tracklist, revealing an unexpected collaboration with pioneering DJ and producer Gesaffelstein.
A Bold New Era
In an interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music, Gaga reflected on her evolving sound and how Mayhem differs from her past work. “‘Artpop’ was a sensation,” she said, recalling her bold 2013 album. “‘Joanne’ had a certain sound,” she added, referencing her 2016 country-pop era. “‘Chromatica’ was something completely different.”
Looking even further back, she described the distinctiveness of each of her albums: “‘The Fame Monster’ was chaotic, ‘The Fame’ was theatrical pop, and ‘Born This Way’ had a New York metal-electro feel.” With Mayhem, Gaga aims to defy genre altogether. “I wanted to create something without forcing it into a specific identity,” she explained, highlighting her artistic freedom.
A '90s Industrial Influence
The inspiration from '90s music is unmistakable. Gaga has credited bands like Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead as major influences on Mayhem, shaping both its sonic atmosphere and mood.
In a candid moment on SiriusXM’s Gaga Radio, she reflected on her introduction to heavier music. “I remember hearing Johnny Cash’s cover of Nine Inch Nails’ ‘Hurt’—that’s when I realized so many different kinds of music could coexist within those sounds,” she shared.
The Nine Inch Nails influence is especially evident on Disease, which carries an industrial aesthetic reminiscent of Closer. In a recent interview with ELLE magazine, Gaga expanded on the album’s grunge-electro undertones.
"A lot of the sonic choices have industrial influences," she explained. "There’s a transitional moment on the album tied to the ‘90s—a kind of electro-grunge reaction to what came before. I was also influenced by the theatrical rock of David Bowie, Prince, and Radiohead. That music is deeply rooted in me."
Pushing Boundaries Yet Again
With Mayhem, Lady Gaga once again reinvents herself, proving that she remains one of music’s most fearless innovators. As she continues to blur genre lines and challenge expectations, one thing is certain—Mayhem is set to leave a lasting mark on the contemporary music landscape.
