Lady Gaga- Disease review – a return to form, and to her classic sound

Following a series of power ballads and jazz standards, along with the lackluster reception of the Joker sequel, Lady Gaga’s latest synthpop single serves as a nostalgic nod to her earlier work while still resonating with today’s pop scene.

In 2024, Lady Gaga’s journey has been quite the rollercoaster. On one hand, her collaboration with Bruno Mars on “Die With a Smile” has turned into a global sensation, maintaining a spot in the UK Top 3 for nine weeks and ranking as the second most-streamed song worldwide on Spotify. On the other hand, the release of “Joker: Folie à Deux” and her accompanying album “Harlequin” faced a disappointing response from both critics and audiences. Despite her ability to evolve her sound—merging artful synthpop with stadium-sized soft rock, country influences, and vocal jazz—it seemed like she was starting to lose her audience. The release of a third album of standards, especially without her late duet partner Tony Bennett, appeared to be a misstep.

However, there’s hope for a comeback with her new single “Disease,” which marks a departure from her recent successes. While her latest hits have leaned towards power ballads—think “Die With a Smile” and the 10-million-selling “Shallow”—“Disease” brings back the classic Gaga vibe. Fans swiftly rallied around the track, with one even penning a 1,500-word essay linking its lyrics to renowned poets like Sylvia Plath and John Donne, a testament to her enduring impact.

Musically, “Disease” resonates with the essence of Gaga’s debut album, “The Fame.” It features edgy, distorted synths paired with dark minor chords, an industrial four-on-the-floor beat, and commanding vocals reminiscent of “Poker Face.” The lyrics, while perhaps lacking the depth of the Metaphysical poets, carry a bold, provocative edge: “Screaming for me baby, like you’re gonna die.”

The production quality is top-notch. Although it may not possess the instant-classic appeal of “Bad Romance,” lacking the surprising melodic shifts that made that song memorable, its bold, larger-than-life sound evokes the late 2000s Gaga while still fitting within the chaotic landscape of today’s pop music. This duality makes sense, considering how Gaga initially emerged as a disruptive force in music, reminiscent of Charli XCX’s recent impact on the pop scene.