Lady Gaga’s latest musical venture — her sixth studio album “Mayhem” — has already been titled “the strongest pop release” of the year by Rolling Stone, despite only dropping in early March. Teased by the chilling hit single “Disease” and followed up by the chaotic industrial-pop anthem “Abracadabra,” fans have been on the edge of their seats for Gaga’s brand new era.
So, when Lady Gaga guest-hosted her first episode of Saturday Night Live since 2013 last month, the night was bound to be a hit. But even her long-term Monsters couldn’t have expected her live performance of “Abracadabra” to be this lethally brilliant! Her sensational clip has already amassed over 4.7 million views in just a matter of weeks.
In true Gaga fashion, the star plants herself amidst a tangle of backing dancers; at one with the bedlam yet totally stealing the show. Her a cappella first verse runs as bold and shame-free as her dress sense — for this set, a glittered red bodysuit styled like the devil during Paris Fashion Week, if only he was brave enough to dance in red high heels.
Gaga’s clearly no stranger to exotic, unconventional stage routines. But as she holds her melodies solid and steady in the midst of being pivoted and thrown around in abnormal choreography by her backing dancers, a true feat of vocal concentration unfolds: the mark of a seasoned pro sent through the wringer and still rearing back for more.
It’d be easy to assume that dance-pop hits like this are hyper-produced beyond the point of the artist’s authenticity — painting talent onto vocal tracks that’s hardly there in the live spotlight — but Gaga slays this wildfire performance as calmly as if she were in the vocal booth; a live one-take wonder and instant internet sensation.
And fans were quick to pick up on her unworldly naturalism. As one top commenter wrote, “I can hear her breath, and that’s why we call it a top notch live performance,” others fleshed out the thought, posting, “After 17 years and still giving a performance like that!” and “Singing this live but sounding like it’s pre-recorded solidifies how insanely brilliant her voice is. Perfection.”
But for others, it was the dancers and choreographers who made this set absolutely iconic. As @Daniador noticed, “No one is going to talk about how well they danced in the small space they had?”
“Abracadabra” — which hit #3 on the UK Singles charts in March 2025 — famously interpolates a segment of Siouxsie and the Banshees’ 1981 single “Spellbound.” But what we haven’t heard music critics discuss yet is the similarity of Gaga’s post-chorus breakdown to Bruno Mars and Rosé’s #1 single from October 2024 “APT.” — just listen to those cheerleader rhythms in the videos above and try convincing yourself Gaga wasn’t at least subconsciously inspired!
Lady Gaga’s “Mayhem” era is capturing hearts and turning heads with its bold creativity and explosive performances. Her unforgettable appearance on Saturday Night Live further proves her unstoppable pop prowess. Gaga’s unique blend of theatrical flair and raw talent continues to redefine the boundaries of the music industry. If you want to dive deeper into this spectacular journey and explore more of her groundbreaking work, check out the links below.