Interscope US Vinyl & CDs

Review: Lady Gaga's latest album is as bold, chaotic and emotionally charged as you would expect of the singular artist as she returns to her pop roots. Blending electro-grunge with theatrical flair, Gaga embraces fame and identity across 14 tracks that span snarling anthems like 'Perfect Celebrity' to raw love songs like 'Blade of Grass.' Along the way are nods to Bowie, Nine Inch Nails and disco, which all bring many layers of intrigue next to the vulnerability and bombast of the vocals. To that point, Gaga's voice shapeshifts from snarling to purring to belting as she examines fame's toll and personal transformation. Though maximalist to the core, MAYHEM never loses its heart and is messy, loud, and thrilling proof Gaga is still defining pop on her own terms.