Lady Gaga's latest album, Mayhem, serves as a homage to her early work and illustrates her evolution as an artist. Throughout her career, she faced criticism for being derivative, famously labeled a "hack" by some in the industry. However, in responding to accusations of recycling her earlier style for her new single "Abracadabra," she staunchly defended her creative journey, asserting her ownership of her music. With Mayhem, Gaga returns to the pop sound that characterized her earlier days, while also demonstrating a deeper understanding of influence and innovation in music.
After all, when Gaga was rising to fame while running around in bubble dresses and spewing fake blood on live TV 15 years ago, pundits commonly alleged her to be a hack, a poser.
That assertion of ownership was hard earned... Gaga really did borrow from musical provocateurs before her (the foremost being, yes, Madonna).
If you perform fiercely, hybridize cleverly, and tell a riveting story, the generic can be made mythic.
Mayhem makes a return to her trademark sound, but it also, more importantly, recalls her foundational ethos.
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