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My MAYHEM Ranking ✅


NUTELLA
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NUTELLA

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I have now spent some time familiarizing myself with MAYHEM (while avoiding GGD/X/etc) to go in as fresh as possible…

I cannot believe how happy I am with this album.

To be blunt, I was expecting to have a let-down, “such-is-life” reaction, and just feel glad for some new tunes to check out.

But I enjoyed the entire MAYHEM listening experience (with no exceptions), the first time through. If you told me a few months ago, this is how I was going to feel… I wouldn’t have believed you.

This album has cohesive variety. It meets at so many intersections, but it actually works!!!

There are obvious 70s, 80s & 90s influences… but there is also a weird 2000’s sound/vibe throughout, tying some of the songs together in a way that makes me weirdly emotional.

She sounds so confident, like she doesn’t care if we enjoy this or not… but not in a cocky way, just competent & assured. She is so good at making choruses- always has been, always will be.

There was a lot of stuff on this album that was distinctly Lady Gaga. But also a lot that reminded me of other artists (In a good way).

 

This is my initial ranking- from worst to best- and my thoughts about each song right now. I was stoned on first listen (I think that really helped) & I am rn too (I’m also kind of basic in general)… so factor that in while reading these lol.

There are no Bad Romance-level hits, but this album is better than Joanne, Chromatica & ARTPOP. I wanted to walk away from Joanne & Chromatica after my first listens.

But this was an instant connection. I have had so much fun on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th (& beyond) listens of MAYHEM. There are some serious highlights here.

I’m going to FINALLY read other people’s thoughts/reviews on GGD/X as soon as I’m done posting these…

but my ears hurt from listening so much & I can’t stop smiling.

 

I FEEL SO HAPPY!!! 💚🧹
I HOPE OTHER PEOPLE DO TOO!!

 

If you ever see this post-
good job & thank you, LG

Edited by NUTELLA
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16

KILLAH

This one was kind of a challenge for me… but a funky, interesting one. It has an updated Beck/Prince-feel to it & a cute, funky little chorus.

But then one section gets a bit too Swine-y for me.

I probably will not revisit this often. I wouldn’t get up to turn it off, but I wouldn’t reach out to turn it on, either.

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15

THE BEAST

The verses feel awkward like a demo or like being forced to watch someone do a dramatic skit… but the chorus is actually pretty cool.

I wanna ^feeeeeel^ the beast inside” sounds really nice.

I feel like this song would benefit from being slightly sped up.

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14

BLADE OF GRASS

This has a cute backstory & she manages to create a memorable visual 💍

I thought the chorus was kind of cheesy at first, but then its instrumental gets sonically intense (at first I thought tornado siren was going off & actually took my earphones out to check lol... its kind of awesome).

This would fit well on a modern TFM. I probably won’t listen to it very often, though.

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13

DIE WITH A SMILE

This is a pretty song that sticks out a bit, but also manages to fit in somehow… maybe because it now feels representative of her current resurgence?

With some simple production adjustments, it could fit better on the album… but would it still have been a smash?

I think I will revisit this fondly down the line, holistically with the album. It still has a memorable guitar solo… but again, I’m basic.

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12

KILL FOR LOVE

Intro had me hyped.

This has a Prince/Stevie Wonder sound, with surprisingly cute & flirty verses. “You know what I am baby & I know you’re gonna ^be^ mine!”

Then a promising pre-chorus. “I’d kill for you…”

The chorus is funky & fun, but it’s the weak point.

A vocoder helps throughout… & the horns at the end are exciting.

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11

HOW BAD DO U WANT ME?

This was a surprise. Not a sexy bop, but a joyful jam that felt kind of like a Yaz or Annie Lennox song, with Carly Rae Jepsen writing. The instrumental also kept reminding me of So Human by Lady Sovereign.

The verses are kind of awkward & the “meehehehehehehe” is giving seizure.

But then the chorus... is instantly memorable. Cheesy but memorable, & built to sing along with. The bass, the vocals, the lyrics- it all feels so energetic!

Production-wise, the chorus ramps up, getting bigger & bigger each time. There’s so much detail hidden in the instrumental, & the bridge has a Brooklyn Nights vibe.

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10

ABRACADABRA

I originally enjoyed this more than Disease… though I quickly grew tired of replaying it tbh. But hearing it again now with the rest of the songs (eventually played in different orders) has made me come to appreciate it again.

I ebb & flow with this one, though.

I still don’t really care for the spell portion of the chorus, but the Von Dutch-y post chorus chant will probably be considered the most “iconic” part of this album, big-picture.

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9

DISEASE

This would have been WAY more impactful to me as a B-side, as opposed to a single. I probably would have gravitated to it if I’d just happened to stumble upon it (the music video also takes away points for some reason).

But regardless, Disease feels so RIGHT on this album. I suddenly like it more than Abracadabra… which blows my mind.

The instrumental in particular was always more exciting to me than the final version, but the vocals have grown on me in the context of the entire album’s sound.

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8

DON’T CALL TONIGHT

This has a fun, sparkly production but it wasn’t really standing out to me until Tina turner showed up & punched me in the face (& then Daft Punk also punched me in the face).

I wanted to sing along with this chorus so badly, even before I knew the words… & I was tempted to replay this one right away. I could see this song growing on me even more as time goes on.

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7

GARDEN OF EDEN

This song is VERY Timbaland, which is awesome. The verses are sexy & oh my god, the pre-chorus is so addictive. “Cmon & ^hit^ me, cmon!

After having only the tiny leak for so long, the rest of this chorus is very satisfying (& surprisingly detailed, sound-wise).

But I would take out the post-chorus “ill t-t-t-take you” section… & the song’s outro loses itself/ gets over-complicated, too.

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6

ZOMBIEBOY

I adored this snippet & was so hyped for this.

These verses are so Blondie & glittery… in a wonderful way. I wanted to twirl to this in a feather boa.

But when the chorus first came on (& the snippet was finally crystal clear)… I actually felt emotional. I wanted to link arms with everyone here & jump around.. lol gay. But we finally made it!!

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This chorus is so Bowie. It is Halloween night. There’s something sweet, simple & fun about it. I think most of us had already built a positive connection to this song, going in… so it feels really special. Or at least it does to me.

I wonder if it would have crushed as lead single (in October, especially)… or would it have been too gimmicky?

This song is Monster if it was on The Fame.

When I’m by myself, I will sing the Zombieboy chorus more than anything else from MAYHEM.

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5

VANISH INTO YOU

This has a vocally jarring intro… but when the throbbing bass comes in… my nipples could cut glass. I get verklempt.

The pre-chorus feels so sad… but so exciting.

The chorus is very “Cool” by Gwen Stefani (also a bit “Make Me Like You” by Gwen)… but way more intense.

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I can’t stop singing “Cannnn iiiiii-iiii-iii-i-i-i… vanish into ^you^?” in that voice.

So Gwen. So Gaga. So good.

This is a Summerboy’d-Gypsy.

I will replay this one very often.

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4

CAN’T STOP THE HIGH

Oh **** what the hell??

This is such a pleasant surprise, and one I connected with instantly. It feels like a harder Beck or Sheryl Crow… almost Miley Cyrus-y, in the best way possible.

Shame on you, Miss Gaga, for not including this song on standard.

It has a distinct MAYHEM sound to it, but weirdly, I think it could fit on any of her studio albums (except Chromatica) & be a bright spot on each of them. How bizarre…

This pre-chorus is catchy as ****. “Had too much of a good time to go home now… I can’t stop the high & I’m freakin out.

Then the twang in her voice during the chorus felt very Joanne… but in a way that I love??? “I’ve had one too many- should’ve gone home, but the party wants me

This is an instant classic that FEELS GOOD to listen to & gets me hot

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