Lady Gaga responds to reheating nachos on new album “Mayhem”

Lady Gaga recently released her seventh solo album, Mayhem, with a surprise Eurodance single titled “Abracadabra” during the 2025 Grammys. Fans affectionately refer to her return to this sound as “reheating her nachos,” a term implying that she is rekindling and perfecting the style that made her famous in the late 2000s.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Lady Gaga discussed her inspiration for Mayhem, explaining that she wanted to claim ownership of her music and image. She emphasized that her creative vision is uniquely hers and that she takes pride in her artistry. Gaga expressed the importance of defining her own identity in the music industry, where artists are often pushed to conform to external expectations.

While reflecting on her iconic lyrics from “Born This Way,” Lady Gaga highlighted the theme of self-acceptance and authenticity that runs through her work. She acknowledged the significance of her past albums in shaping her career but emphasized the evolution and growth evident in Mayhem. The album delves into introspective themes, exploring the duality of public personas and private selves.

Lady Gaga described the process of creating Mayhem as a journey of self-discovery. The album’s cover art, featuring Gaga’s face on a cracked mirror, symbolizes fragmentation and disorientation. She explained that the fragmented image represents acknowledging one’s ghostlike presence within oneself and the complexities of personal identity.

Mayhem stands out as a departure from Gaga’s previous work due to its lack of sonic cohesiveness. However, she emphasized that this was intentional, as the album’s themes of retaliation and introspection required a diverse range of sounds. Gaga collaborated with a select group of producers to capture the essence of her musical influences, which include icons like David Bowie, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, and Prince.

Despite its darker themes, Mayhem exudes a sense of happiness and contentment, reflecting Lady Gaga’s current emotional state. She credited her fiancé, Michael Polansky, for encouraging her to embrace pop music once again for this album. Polansky’s support and belief in her artistry inspired Gaga to delve into her musical roots, exploring her references and inspirations.

Lady Gaga’s personal journey and artistic evolution are evident in Mayhem, a bold and introspective album that celebrates self-acceptance and creative ownership. Through her music, Gaga continues to push boundaries and challenge expectations, cementing her status as a pop music icon.