Lady Gaga’s much-anticipated new album, Mayhem, has officially dropped, and with it, she has taken fans on a journey through a bold and experimental soundscape inspired by a variety of musical legends. One of the key influences on the album, she revealed in a recent interview, is Trent Reznor, the frontman of Nine Inch Nails (NIN). In particular, Reznor’s iconic track “Closer” made a deep impact on the pop star, which she explained during an appearance on Howard Stern’s SiriusXM radio show.
When Stern played Closer on air and asked Gaga why the song resonated with her so strongly, she excitedly responded, “Because it’s so good.” Her admiration for the song, which has become synonymous with the industrial genre, speaks to the raw, intense energy that is a hallmark of Reznor’s work. But it wasn’t just the music that got Gaga’s attention—it was also the presence of Reznor himself.
When asked if she and Reznor had ever met, Gaga confirmed they had, but with an amusing twist. “I forget the first time,” she admitted, adding, “I think I black out every time I’m in his presence.” The star went on to explain that while she doesn’t feel intimidated by Reznor, she often finds herself feeling “really excited, stoked, [and] quiet” when around him. Her candidness about feeling somewhat starstruck around the legendary musician only underscores the level of respect and admiration she holds for him.
This revelation is especially interesting considering Gaga’s fearless persona and her penchant for collaborating with top-tier artists. The emotional depth that Gaga brings to her work is evident in her openness about her experiences and how they shape her creativity. Reznor’s influence on Mayhem is clear, as his dark, industrial sounds seep into the album’s atmosphere, particularly in the raw energy of songs like “Perfect Celebrity,” which Gaga has said was inspired by ’80s new wave goth icons The Cure.
While she credits The Cure as an influence on tracks like “Perfect Celebrity,” Gaga explained that Mayhem was never meant to fit into any one genre or concept. “After I made that song, I was like, ‘We need to change all the production,’” she shared. “I wanted to change everything, and then I went back and said, ‘No, we shouldn’t change everything.’” Her reflection on this process reveals her reluctance to be boxed in by a single musical direction.
Gaga continued, “If I was to simply decide I was gonna now make an entire electro grunge album, it was just to say it to myself as randomly cool in the middle of my project. I actually thought that that was boring and not at all what Mayhem is all about.” For Gaga, Mayhem is not about following trends—it’s about embracing chaos and complexity. “The true chaos of who I am is that I am actually a lot more than these concepts; I am so many concepts at once,” she added.
In Mayhem, Gaga weaves together a tapestry of influences, from industrial and goth to electronic and pop. The album is a reflection of her multifaceted creativity and her willingness to dive deep into different genres, pushing boundaries while staying true to her artistic vision. The collaboration with and inspiration from artists like Reznor proves that even in her most experimental phase, Lady Gaga continues to evolve, challenging not just herself, but the very concept of what a pop album can be.
Lady Gaga’s candidness about her admiration for Trent Reznor adds another layer to her already captivating persona—showing that even the biggest stars can still be awe-struck in the presence of their idols. With Mayhem, Gaga has certainly proved she’s not afraid of chaos—but she’s also not afraid to embrace the influence of the icons who have come before her.
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