Lady Gaga surprised fans during the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday night by premiering her new song, “Abracadabra,” in a unique, out-of-the-spotlight move. Instead of performing on stage during the ceremony, the pop icon used the commercial break to officially unveil the track, along with its accompanying music video. This marked the first official single from her highly anticipated upcoming album Mayhem, which is set to release on March 7.
The debut had been teased for several days leading up to the event, though the song’s title remained under wraps until its reveal. Last week, Gaga shared details of Mayhem, her seventh studio album, which follows 2020’s Chromatica. Prior to this, the album had been referred to as “LG7,” as it was Gaga’s seventh full-length project. However, this count excludes her 2023 jazz/standards album Harlequin, which she referred to as album 6.5, meaning Mayhem marks her official return to pop music.
While many had speculated that Gaga would debut the song on stage, she opted for a different approach, surprising fans during the quieter moments of the broadcast. “Abracadabra” was featured as part of the commercial break, an unconventional yet strategic move that allowed her to capture the attention of viewers during one of the show’s inevitable pauses. Alongside the song, the accompanying music video premiered, adding a visual element to the release.
This wasn’t Gaga’s only appearance at the Grammys, however. Earlier in the show, she joined Bruno Mars for a heartfelt duet of “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas and the Papas. The performance, which took place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, was a tribute to the spirit of the city, acknowledging the devastation of the tragic wildfires that ravaged Southern California in early January. The soulful rendition of the iconic song served as a powerful moment of reflection and solidarity in the wake of the disaster.
The release of “Abracadabra” marks the second single from Mayhem following the December drop of “Disease.” Earlier this year, Gaga also released “Die With a Smile,” a collaboration with Mars that fans can expect to hear on the upcoming album. All three tracks appear to be building momentum for Mayhem, which has already generated considerable buzz due to Gaga’s return to pop music.
In a statement released alongside the announcement of the album, Gaga described Mayhem as a deeply personal project. “The album started as me facing my fear of returning to the pop music my earliest fans loved,” she said. The singer also spoke about the emotional journey that led to the album, saying that Mayhem is about “reassembling a shattered mirror: even if you can’t put the pieces back together perfectly, you can create something beautiful and whole in its own new way.”
Gaga’s reflective statement hints at the emotional depth of Mayhem, suggesting that it will be an album that not only revisits her pop roots but also explores themes of healing and self-discovery. Fans can expect more of the emotional honesty and raw vulnerability that has defined her work throughout her career.
The debut of “Abracadabra” wasn’t the only moment Gaga had been preparing for in recent days. Prior to her appearance at the Grammys, the singer performed at FireAid, a charity event aimed at supporting victims of the California wildfires. There, she premiered another new song, one that she had specifically written for the event. However, this track is not expected to be part of Mayhem, further indicating that Gaga has a wealth of new material ready for release.
As the countdown to Mayhem continues, fans are eagerly awaiting more details about the album, which promises to blend the larger-than-life pop sound Gaga is known for with a more introspective, personal perspective. With the Grammy debut of “Abracadabra,” it’s clear that the artist is continuing to push the boundaries of what fans expect while staying true to the authenticity that has made her one of the biggest stars of the 21st century.
In addition to her music career, Gaga remains one of the most influential figures in pop culture. From acting to advocacy, she has proven time and again that her impact extends far beyond the music industry. As Mayhem inches closer to its release, fans can only anticipate what the next chapter in Gaga’s career will bring.
