Fresh off her role as Harley Quinn in Joker: Folie à Deux, Lady Gaga’s new single “Disease” marks a return to her maximalist pop roots. Timed perfectly for Halloween, the dark synth-pop song signals the beginning of a sultry, gothic era for the pop legend.

“Disease” is a deeply satisfying listen — and we have Gaga’s fiancé, Michael Polansky, to thank for that. After years of dabbling in a range of genres, from jazz, country, and showtunes, Polansky reportedly begged Gaga to return to her pop roots, telling her: “Babe, I love you. You need to make pop music.”

Gaga’s gorgeously powerful vocals and thunderous beats make the song fit seamlessly into today’s pop landscape, which currently favors songs that combine visceral lyrics with campy drama — think Chappell Roan, who soared rapidly to fame this year. The brash EDM-stylings of “Disease,” which recall Gaga’s sound in the early ’00s, are also reminiscent of the maximalist style being popularized by artists like Charli xcx.

The bold creative decisions behind Gaga’s song culminate in the kind of bombastic performance that her loyal stans have come to expect and adore. “Disease” is the first single released ahead of Gaga’s highly anticipated sixth album, slated for a 2025 release.

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