Why did Mayhem start so strong then go full disco funk?

[steven 6,812]

I’ve been replaying Mayhem and it’s wild how the first four tracks hit so hard then after Perfect Celebrity it turns into this disco-funk universe.

It almost feels like two different albums in one.

Do you think Gaga did that on purpose or did the direction just shift along the way? 

[Delulu Rogers 7,695]

She said from the beginning it was a mix of genres and it’s how she wanted it. She was going to make the whole album sound like PC and then changed her mind. 

[RochesterJoannster 4,311]

How Bad Do U Want Me and Blade of Grass are hardly Full Disco Funk….

[SpadesToStart 3,875]

She’s said she didn’t want to constrain herself to a single genre or sound like she has in the past, but rather follow her musical instincts wherever they lead her. She almost hyperfixated on the sound of Perfect Celebrity and made a grunge album, but she had to resist the impulse.

Whether you think that was the right call or not is subjective, but it seems critics really loved the diversity of sound.

[steven 6,812]

Just now, SpadesToStart said:

She’s said she didn’t want to constrain herself to a single genre or sound like she has in the past, but rather follow her musical instincts wherever they lead her. She almost hyperfixated on the sound of Perfect Celebrity and made a grunge album, but she had to resist the impulse.

Whether you think that was the right call or not is subjective, but it seems critics really loved the diversity of sound.

Yeah I do love the diversity but imagine a whole album sounding like Disease and Perfect Celebrity

[steven 6,812]

4 minutes ago, Delulu Rogers said:

She said from the beginning it was a mix of genres and it’s how she wanted it. She was going to make the whole album sound like PC and then changed her mind. 

Because Michael said so, Gaga as we know was willing to put out an album with the sound of PC

[REALITY 80,388]

The title implies that you don't think the disco/funk side of the record is as strong, but tbh, I like those tracks a lot more.

She said from the beginning that the album was very diverse, sonically speaking. It's kind of a big reason why the album is called "MAYHEM."

[Ayesha Erotica 2,007]

except for Zombieboy there is no disco funk. Shadow of a Man borderline, it's more 80s dance, not funk

[REALITY 80,388]

4 minutes ago, steven said:

Because Michael said so, Gaga as we know was willing to put out an album with the sound of PC

The first song she made for the album was VIY, so she was actually already going down a different path. After PC, she thought about making it an electronic/industrial/rock album, and that's when Michael suggested she continue on the path she was originally on. 

[Alxjcgn 2,298]

19 minutes ago, steven said:

I’ve been replaying Mayhem and it’s wild how the first four tracks hit so hard then after Perfect Celebrity it turns into this disco-funk universe.

It almost feels like two different albums in one.

Do you think Gaga did that on purpose or did the direction just shift along the way? 

I think its part of the MAYHEM of it all... she said in an interview you think you know whats gonna happen but then by the third or fourth song anything is game (or something like that)

But I do think the direction shifted a lot... she was most likely trying out tons of sounds for this album which is why she wrote like 50 songs, and then at the end of it went with the concept of MAYHEM and plucked her favorite ones. Tbh I put all the songs on a different playlist in Spotify when I listen to the album and don't want to shuffle it, and put them in an order that made sense to me I guess or in the way I can vibe with it front to end each time! 

And I also think the setlist order for MAYHEM ball really brings the concept to live, especially with The Dead Dance appearing random places

[NUTELLA 31,964]

The album was originally titled MISHMASH

[nodandsmile 11,834]

How many interviews has Gaga done these past few months telling us why it's called Mayhem? 

and it's not just two types of music either, you have your electro songs, a bit of rock, ballads, disco-funk and cute bops

[steven 6,812]

10 minutes ago, Alxjcgn said:

But I do think the direction shifted a lot... she was most likely trying out tons of sounds for this album which is why she wrote like 50 songs, and then at the end of it went with the concept of MAYHEM and plucked her favorite ones.

Exactly. This might be an underrated opinion, but Mayhem doesn’t sound very cohesive as a whole, which is fine since that actually fits the theme of Mayhem. In comparison, Chromatica feels more cohesive and like a more album worthy project.

[Alxjcgn 2,298]

1 minute ago, steven said:

Exactly. This might be an underrated opinion, but Mayhem doesn’t sound very cohesive as a whole, which is fine since that actually fits the theme of Mayhem. In comparison, Chromatica feels more cohesive and like a more album worthy project.

I agree- Chromatica felt like a concept album (or attempt of one) with the interludes and abstract ideas of it

But I know Gaga arranged the tracklist for some type of reason, it will just be one of the greatest mysteries of the world! MAYHEM is phenomenal because it goes against expectations and can be a strange (in a good way) listening experience when going through it  

[steven 6,812]

9 minutes ago, Alxjcgn said:

I agree- Chromatica felt like a concept album (or attempt of one) with the interludes and abstract ideas of it

But I know Gaga arranged the tracklist for some type of reason, it will just be one of the greatest mysteries of the world! MAYHEM is phenomenal because it goes against expectations and can be a strange (in a good way) listening experience when going through it  

Agreed, Mayhem is a return to Gaga's full force and potential, but us fans of PC are still waiting for a full immersive Gaga rock album