enters the Billboard Hot 100 Songs chart at #89

I don't like it

enters the Billboard Hot 100 Songs chart at #83

I don't like it

MAYHEM—Lady Gaga—Mellope Album Review

OVERVIEW:

This is one of the best albums I have ever heard in my life; every song lived up to a quality and posed no huge weaknesses. I was questioning the album when I heard a huge dance radio hit and then "Die With A Smile" being on the same album, but then it all pieces together like a puzzle; it all clicks. She doesn't just do it like her usual though, oh no, she combines sounds from different decade and even has rock tracks which are cleverly crafted with Gaga's vocals just being a POWERHOUSE, along with meaning and a clear purpose that you can hear with every song.
I highly recommend this, and in my track-by-track review, there is so much more I would love to cover.


TRACK BY TRACK REVIEW:

1. Disease (6/10)

Ok, so I wasn't a fan of this, and I agree it certainly wasn't Gaga's finest, but now it's gotten stuck in my head a bit, and I have to admit that it's not that bad, although a lot of bad songs get stuck in my head (I don't know why). So I had to stay true to my heart and give this a 6/10 because it's solid, but I want to rate down to talent as well, and this just feels like something for the radio instead of showing Gaga's full capability.

2. Abracadabra (8/10)

Seeing Gaga's upcoming album has songs called 'Garden Of Eden' and 'The Beast,' and seeing the song references the devil in a more darker setting, I wouldn't be surprised if she was going to pull another 'Judas' moment. But you know I'm not biased and only rate off the actual song, so it's actually very catchy and grew a lot from the first listen. It's a pump of electronic energy that reminds me of Gaga's older era of dance music and brings back her style in a jam-packed party bop that concerns finding the magic through the challenges. It's a pleasing song and sets a high standard for the rest of 'MAYHEM.'


3. Garden of Eden (7.8/10)

Now that the Gaga album is out, we are left with the promoted single 'Garden Of Eden,' which is a good choice to put at the start of the album. It's fun, it makes you want to dance, and just like 'Abracadabra,' it's a rollercoaster of a party, which I truly believe has the power to get picked up by radio or even take Gaga to number one, and we need a hit single with staying power because right now 2025 has just been songs recycled from 2024. I'll be looking forward to hearing the full album 'Mayhem,' and this song is making me look forward to it even more!

4. Perfect Celebrity (9/10)

This is the first song from the album I've heard when actually sitting down to hear the whole thing, and WOWZERS!! GAGA IS GOING ALL KILLER NO FILLER WITH THIS!! We got a rock-pop powerhouse that sounds like Disease but even better; her vocals have that extraordinary passion for the MAYHEM era, which I love to see. Gaga isn't playing any games with this one! Easily the best thing I've heard from her!

5. Vanish Into You (9/10)

DON'T YOU DARE BASH THIS!! THIS IS PEAK!! THIS IS FROM THE ICON. FROM THE MOMENT. OOOONA NA NAAAAA. OK, I'm going to calm down now and act serious because I'm getting a little too excited. Gaga delivers a pop song that's easy to understand but still hits hard with its radio-friendly hook and signature style. This feels like a great song to sum up Gaga, the powerful vocal holds, and the constant beat pulse that keeps you amazed throughout the whole song. You have to hear this!

6. Killah (Feat. Gesaffelstein) (7.9/10)

Can't knock this either because it's a well-made song. It brings a retro feeling that sounds like it would fit a 70s bar scene, with the backing screams and rock; it really sounds like Gaga switched things up while keeping her all-loved pop style. I wasn't expecting her to deliver something like this, but if you like those old guitar plucks and are one for the 70s-sounding rock, then this is for you!

7. Zombieboy (8.2/10)

This is real dance music; it sounds like something off of Tension II but instead with more glamour. Just like the previous songs, this sounds like it has serious potential to be a lead single with its coating of old-style production but still sounding like it can be a hit today; it sounds fit for any era in the charts. Dance or die!

8. LoveDr*g (6/10)

This was a step down. As much as this had quality, it felt like a huge letdown for the next song and really dropped the phrase "dance or die." In fact, I feel like this could be a lead-up to a slower pace, seeing that the last song on the album is "Die With A Smile."

9. How Bad Do U Want Me (7/10)

Ok, so we're leaning into a sound that fits Taylor Swift, with the lyrics and vocals matching her. I wouldn't be surprised if this was inspired by her. And as I predicted, we are losing "dance or die" a lot more because this more feels like a song to sit and relate to rather than going all out dancing; it builds more of a sound that's like a strong, lead Taylor Swift song.

10. Don't Call Tonight (7.2/10)

It has a very bold, strong, and upfront sound that holds power in Gaga's vocals; if she keeps this pace up, then this album is set for a very high score! We are bringing back more of the dance with this one!

11. Shadow Of A Man (8.3/10)

It's like the 2000s pop songs with effects and those groovy beat pads that make you want to dance; this is yet another hit and great move from Lady Gaga.

12. The Beast (7.6/10)

Ok, OKKKK!! We are working with this; I can feel the buildup from the dance tunes to the slightly slower buildup to the final track, and she's still bossing these track transitions! You can hear the force and power in her vocals, which build up to the beat going up and down with force; it's what MAYHEM is about, and I'm here for it

13. Blade of Grass (9/10)

This is a really touching and beautiful love song about how Gaga was proposed to with a blade of grass. It feels very much like Die With a Smile but without the high kicks for radio and instead focuses more on the element of the beauty and lyrics. It has very clear meaning and intent and feels ear-catching.

14. Die With A Smile (Ft. Bruno Mars) (8/10)

This originally wasn't going to make the album, but it did, and I do think it deserved a place on this. It'll definitely help bring up the critics review and score of this and give it more long-term life in the charts. Smart move from Gaga. For the track, it's a beautiful song that can be played at weddings, funerals, or anywhere; it's truly something that can be interpreted in a million ways, which is what a special song does. Love this, and a pleasure to hear it! Great album outro!

BEST—Perfect Celebrity
WORST—LoveDr*g
Overall score: 8.5/10

JETHRO TULL ~ Curious Ruminant



I listened to this album for the first time on Friday. It sounds like Jethro Tull, Ian Anderson, more specifically. I feel as though I’ve heard it before and on initial listen it seemed a lot mellower than the previous couple of releases. More reflective – less insistent. I’m hearing it for the second time today and separating out the tracks in my mind – they kind of ran into one another the other day because there are not huge differences in the mood, tempo, constructs and delivery, IMHO. Not necessarily a negative or derogatory remark – it just IS. I’m getting the feeling that Mr Anderson has given up railing at the world at large and has become resigned to the fact that history repeats itself and human nature will never change!

He expresses all this with his usual literary prowess and keen intelligence, and I expect that this is exactly where the title originated – not from the hoofed lot, but from ruminations upon all things by our very curious bipedal species!  

My ears pricked up at the keys, courtesy of Andrew Hidding (former JT band member who seems to have been reinstated for this outing) and the lead guitar – Jack Clark, from what I can tell. Nice tone.

Gotta say, the flute is also a standout on this release – it’s more pastoral than progressive, and the nod to rock mainly comes from the aforementioned guitar guy who I strongly suspect may have metal leanings. I think the tracks that have already been posted are representative, and that the title track especially, is probably the pick of the bunch, however, I’ll choose one that hasn’t been posted before. Going for the long one – just less than 17 minutes – “Drink from the Same Well” …



... and upon further reflection / rumination / cogitation / whatever you will ... the opener - sorry to be backward!! 

enters the billboard Top 200 Albums chart at #188

courtesy of Spotify



from Massachusetts
9th album
been awhile since a scrowler band came up
hoping for another while

single

Spotify listen:

her eleventh album including soundtracks and collaborations
between us, Lynne and I own the first ten...
contains the duet with Bruno (die with a smile) which seems tacked on at the end as it does not fit with the vibe of the rest of the album for me.
the rest of it is a pop/dance record
just so glad theres none of that doof-doof crap on it.
a pretty good album but it does lack variation overall
that said though, i do like this album

fave is the Bruno duet, also love "abracadabra" so here's another one i really like:

enters the Billboard Hot 100 Songs chart at #75

I don't like it

enters the Billboard Top 200 Album chart at #161

courtesy of Spotify



from NYC
2nd album
released in September
just now charting
it's r&b/rap crap

single

enters the Billboard Hot 100 Songs chart at #69

I don't like it

enters the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart at #117

courtesy of Spotify



nothing on this guy
guessing he's from south of the border

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