3 New Album Releases Reviewed: My Honest Take on Gaga, The Lumineers & Mumford and Sons

Guess who's back with another round of eargasms? That’s right—me, your favorite imposter-syndrome-struck cultural nerd, ready to overanalyze three fresh album releases. Spoiler alert: only one truly rocked my world. The others? Let’s just say… they exist. Let’s dive in.

Lady Gaga - MAYHEM

Off to the start with the only record on the list that truly impressed me – Lady Gaga's MAYHEM. Released on March 7th with a title that says it all – Mayhem means indeed chaos, disorder, no control – this album surprised me, and no, it's not a die-hard fan speaking.

14 tracks screaming do not dare to put me in a box, 'cause I don’t belong to any. Gaga delivers an eclectic, shameless, shape-shifting hymn to her own truest performing nature. She embraces her multi-faceted identity, tossing aside the industry’s obsession with sonic cohesion. Instead, she shows us what she can do through a genre-blurring journey, ranging from piano ballads (Blade of Grass) to top-chart pop hits (Abracadabra), funky riffs (Killah) and Taylor-style tunes (How Bad Do U Want Me). This album is both a return to the roots and a novelty, trasformative and faithful to the core. Themes? A seductive clash of romance and raw sensuality, light meets dark, lover-girl meets bad-girl energy. Applause, Germanotta.

The Lumineers - Automatic

Next up, The Lumineers' Automatic, released on Valentine's Day to stay true to their indie-folk romantic aesthetic. I need to give it a few more listenings but no track hit me with a wow. It's just very coherent with what we've previously known them for, minus the big single to which we're used to – see Ophelia or Ho Hey. Sound and lyrics feel safe, with some instrumental intermezzos like Strings and Sunflowers, but I missed some high waves amongst the low tide. Even they acknowledge it in the first track: Same Old Song.

Mumford & Sons - Rushmere

Last on the list and also in my rating, Rushmere by Mumford and Sons has just been released a few days ago, on March 28th. I feel like they peaked until Wilder Mind – can we all stop for a second and remember that amazing album cover?! – and Delta and slowly started to abandon the hardcore folk, banjo-driven anthems on the line of Little Lion Man, where you couldn't help stomping your feet to the beat. Just like with The Lumineers – it feels plain, familiar for sure, but with no diamond tip, and something I've already heard. I need a rush-more of originality.

À la prochaine les gars, keep following me for more!