Abracadabra and Gaga Is Back!

Lady Gaga is back with a new single that made us all remember why we fell in love with her in the first place. Who could imagine that it would only take a simple "Abracadabra" to bring the magic back?

Lady Gaga for @ELLEUSA February 2025 & @ELLEUK March 2025. Available via @ladygaga © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

I stopped watching the Grammys a few years ago, when the veneer of magic and merit that surrounded them in my imagination slowly faded to reveal an industry just as money-driven and corrupt as its members. I don’t particularly care anymore about who wins what and why, as it’s clear to the entire world that that ceremony is not actually about who makes the most interesting and "best" music. So this year was no exception, and I didn’t watch it. But I had heard a rumor that Lady Gaga was going to be using a commercial break to debut a new song. As a good ol' little monster at heart, as soon as I woke up I grabbed my phone and went to social media, where the first thing that popped up was her music video for her new song "Abracadabra."

Now, I was a teenager when Gaga started on the scene and I always get really excited when she releases new music (for me it’s more a nostalgic and emotional experience than anything, you know, Born This Way and all), so I usually defend her no matter if I actually like her songs or not. I know, I am biased. After "Disease," which wasn’t really my cup of tea, I was expecting something similar to the song and video, so I was delightfully shocked when I clicked on the link and found out that I was wrong.

A time warp must have been opened right there and then, because I was suddenly thrown back to 2010, geeking out over the "Alejandro" music video. This is old school Gaga. As someone in her comments section said: "old testament Gaga!" Abracadabra is good. So good. Probably one of the best songs that miss G put out in the last 10 years. It’s catchy, the kick is heavy like in "Bad Romance," she’s back to singing "ooh na na," she belts her own name and the energy is insane. The video is tightly choreographed like we haven’t seen in a while and the pace is relentless. The production, the costumes, the shots, it’s all so addictive. Truly a return to her roots. The song theme reminded me of Choreomania by Florence and the Machine, dance 'til you drop and die, but with a magical twist and a bit more darkness. Gaga refers to a "lady in red," which in the video is represented by this new Mayhem character that she previously debuted in "Disease": the incarnation of her own demons, inescapable and quite scary, yet somewhat comforting. I guess that she will preside over the entirety of the album, which I am getting quite excited about now, if it’s half as good as "Abracadabra."

For once, I am not the only one who thinks that this song is good. Publications and people online seem to all agree, although Pitchfork said it’s good but maybe a bit too good (I suspect it’s because they have to always say something with a semblance of intelligence), but I’ll take it! The verdict stands, Gaga is back. Mayhem is out March 7th. Paws up!