About two decades ago, Lady Gaga shook up the music landscape with her brash, uncompromising brand of maximalist pop – heavy on anthems and attitude. Now, with the release of Mayhem, her first solo album since 2020's Chromatica, the US singer attempts to reclaim her status as queen of the dance floor after years of sonic exploration that's ranged from folk and rock to the Great American Songbook.
It has been a remarkable journey, showcasing a restless creative spirit enamoured with sounds spanning various genres and generations – making her far more than a typical pop star. From collaborative albums with Tony Bennett to the high-energy pop early in her career, here’s how Gaga’s albums rank within her storied career.
7. Cheek to Cheek (2014) and Love for Sale (2021)
An unlikely pairing, perhaps, but vintage crooners such as the late Tony Bennett, Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck have openly expressed their admiration for Lady Gaga, praising her iron-willed determination to entertain.
In a 2012 interview with The National, Engelbert described Gaga’s approach as the essence of show business: “I know she is a bit wild but very talented – [artists like Gaga] are keeping the business fresh and much talked about".
That same charm and showmanship come together in her two collaborative albums with Bennett. Though released seven years apart, they can be seen as one lively and affectionate tribute to the Great American Songbook, featuring interpretations that range from playful (I Get a Kick Out of You) to reverent (I Can’t Give You Anything But Love).
Initially considered an outlier in her catalogue, both albums ultimately underscored how Gaga’s music and artistic approach are deeply rooted in pop music’s rich heritage.
6. Chromatica (2020)
There are two ways to think about Chromatica – either as a solid pop album whose reception was stymied by the Covid pandemic or as a misfire that was later course-corrected with Mayhem. Either way, at the time, it was seen as a welcome return to dance-pop after the folk and roots-driven sound of its predecessor, Joanne.
In Chromatica, the ebullient synths were back, as were the big hooks, evident in tracks such as Stupid Love and 911. Yet, failing to resonate beyond Gaga’s core fanbase, Chromatica eventually disappeared without a whimper.
5. ArtPop (2013)
Viewed as Gaga’s first commercial setback, Artpop had a relatively tepid reception – despite selling more than 2.3 million copies within a year of its release. This may have been due to oversaturation, as Gaga had released a steady stream of hits, two albums, and an EP in the years leading up to it.
Fortunately, the album has been receiving renewed recognition in recent years. While messy and at times lacking cohesion, many of its tracks remain high-concept and cutting-edge pop. Songs such as Applause and Guy feature some of the singer's most theatrical and sensuous vocal performances to date. Though Artpop marked a commercial chink in her armour, it may well serve as an inspiration for future pop stars.
4. Joanne
Those who viewed Gaga’s embrace of a stripped-down folk and rock approach on Joanne as a complete left turn weren’t paying close attention. She had been performing stripped-down versions of her songs since 2009, including well-received sets for BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge and piano renditions of Poker Face and Speechless during The Monster Ball Tour. Joanne felt like a natural evolution. It was a welcome break from the high-energy pop sound of her past, which – as Artpop proved – was beginning to yield diminishing returns.
Named after her late aunt and produced by Mark Ronson, Joanne features some of her most heartfelt songs, including Come to Mama and Hey Girl, the latter a striking collaboration with Florence Welch. Despite its analogue-inspired influences – ranging from 1970s R&B to folk and rock – it remains unmistakably a Lady Gaga record, and a very good one at that.
3. Mayhem (2025)
Welcome back, Gaga. Ever since the release of the hit single Abracadabra – a return to the high-energy, synth-fueled sound that defined her rise – fans hoped it wasn’t just a one-off.
Fortunately, Gaga’s journey leads back to her roots with an album packed with electronic pop bangers – noisy, glamorous and unapologetically bold. There are references to disco and 1980s funk, such as in The Garden of Eden, while Killah provides a thrilling fusion of drum and bass and strident funk. Fun and with nothing to prove, Gaga’s return to her signature sound places her alongside releases from Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter in ushering in a bold new era of pop music.
2. Born This Way (2011)
It is a confident sound best described as "peak Gaga". After staking her claim to the pop throne – a move that sparked much-publicised tension with Madonna – Gaga doubled down with Born This Way. Loud, proud and with energy to burn, it delivered euphoric and cathartic anthems that wouldn’t resurface until Dua Lipa’s arrival on the music scene years later.
The crunching riffs of The Edge of Glory and You and I had Gaga embracing more rock elements, while the album’s garish cover and its era-defining music videos cemented her status as a pop trailblazer in full command of her craft.
1. The Fame Monster (2009)
Now, this is how you make an entrance. After introducing herself to the world – and the dance floor – with the pitch-perfect electro-pop of The Fame in 2008, Gaga returned less than a year later with The Fame Monster. The album was a reissue of her debut album and featured eight new tracks, including hits Bad Romance and Alejandro.
Combining them, The Fame Monster has 17 tracks that span 73 minutes – leading to some of the most scintillating pop music released this century. The relentless energy, shape-shifting lyricism embracing everything from joy to trauma, and Gaga’s chameleonic vocal ability – sensitive one moment, uncompromisingly forceful the next – solidify The Fame Monster as one of the greatest modern pop albums of all time.
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Chelsea 2 Burnley 3
Chelsea Morata (69'), Luiz (88')
Burnley Vokes (24', 43'), Ward (39')
Red cards Cahill, Fabregas (Chelsea)
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
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By Victor Davis Hanson
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final:
First leg: Liverpool 5 Roma 2
Second leg: Wednesday, May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
TV: BeIN Sports, 10.45pm (UAE)
South Africa World Cup squad
South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (w), JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Rassie van der Dussen.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting
- Don’t do it more than once in three days
- Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days
- Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode
- Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well
- Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days
- Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates
- Manage your sleep
- People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting
- Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert
'Laal Kaptaan'
Director: Navdeep Singh
Stars: Saif Ali Khan, Manav Vij, Deepak Dobriyal, Zoya Hussain
Rating: 2/5
The years Ramadan fell in May
Arrogate's winning run
1. Maiden Special Weight, Santa Anita Park, June 5, 2016
2. Allowance Optional Claiming, Santa Anita Park, June 24, 2016
3. Allowance Optional Claiming, Del Mar, August 4, 2016
4. Travers Stakes, Saratoga, August 27, 2016
5. Breeders' Cup Classic, Santa Anita Park, November 5, 2016
6. Pegasus World Cup, Gulfstream Park, January 28, 2017
7. Dubai World Cup, Meydan Racecourse, March 25, 2017
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
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UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
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Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
The five pillars of Islam
Jordan cabinet changes
In
- Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
- Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
- Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
- Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
- Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
- Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth
Out
- Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
- Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
- Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
- Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
- Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
- Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
- Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
- Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
- Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
- Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
