Abracadabra (Lady Gaga song)

Last updated

"Abracadabra"
Single by Lady Gaga
from the album Mayhem
ReleasedFebruary 3, 2025 (2025-02-03)
Genre
Length3:43
Label Interscope
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Lady Gaga
  • Cirkut
  • Andrew Watt
Lady Gaga singles chronology
"Disease"
(2024)		"Abracadabra"
(2025)
Music video
"Abracadabra" on YouTube

"Abracadabra" is a song by American singer-songwriter Lady Gaga. It was released on February 3, 2025, through Interscope Records, as the second single from Gaga's upcoming eighth studio album, Mayhem (2025). The song's dance-pop energy and theatrical visuals have drawn comparisons to her earlier works. A music video for "Abracadabra" premiered during the 67th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony.

Contents

Composition

It is a dance-pop track with electronic and house influences. It features pulsating beats, hypnotic synths and a dramatic vocal delivery reminiscent of Gaga's early hits. [3] Some journalists have compared its style to her The Fame Monster (2009) and Chromatica (2020) eras, with a dark, theatrical edge. [1] A part of "Abracadabra" uses the melody of "Spellbound" by Siouxsie and the Banshees. [4]

Release and promotion

Shortly after Gaga announced on January 27, 2025, that her next studio album would be titled Mayhem , [5] it was revealed she would premiere a new single and video during the 67th Annual Grammy Awards on February 2. [6] [7] [8] [2] [9] According to Variety , "Abracadabra" is a fast-tempo dance song. [10]

Critical reception

Larisha Paul of Rolling Stone noted that Gaga is "always drawing upon her knowledge of the history of music" and described the song as "a showcase of her return to dark pop that pays homage to the influences that shaped her career." [11] Robin Murray of Clash described "Abracadabra" as "a thrilling piece of pop music that moves from light to shadow with expert control." [12] L'Officiel editor Alessandro Viapiana highlighted its "piercing rhythm and pulsating synthesizers, accompanied by a hypnotic voice that almost seems to evoke a ritual." [13] Kyle Denis of Billboard described the track as an "explosive new dance-pop single" and highlighted its "high intensity", while pointing out that it builds upon the dark electronic elements introduced in her previous release, "Disease". [2]

In their review, DIY wrote: "Make no mistake—Lady Gaga is back. Her latest single, 'Abracadabra,' is an unrestrained dancefloor anthem that takes us straight back to her The Fame Monster days in the late 2000s", adding that it revolves around a "brilliantly nonsensical yet irresistibly catchy chorus." [14] Jenesaispop named it the song of the day on February 3, 2025, stating it "feels like stepping back into 2009, but with a production refined for today's era", while describing it as "a full-fledged dark electropop banger in classic Gaga style." [15] Pitchfork 's Walden Green remarked Gaga had not released a single "this good" since 2013's "G.U.Y.", writing, "'Abracadabra' delivers a latex-tight hook in true Born This Way fashion, though a closer listen reveals traces of over a decade of artistic reinvention: a touch of Chromatica in the house piano, and a full-throttle vocal turn that unmistakably stems from serious theatrical training. [16]

Bustle noted the track is "a dancefloor smash tailor-made for her fans," and noted "as the title suggests, Gaga casts a spell with her new single, commanding listeners to dance all night." [17] In a review for PinkNews , Marcus Wratten observed that "the song reaches its climax with a Europop-inspired chorus, followed by an energetic post-chorus where the megastar repeats the title with a fragmented syntax." [18] Meanwhile, Milenio described it as maintaining "a pop-rock style, with moments of silence and a cappella segments that are distinctively Gaga." [19]

Commercial performance

On its release day, "Abracadabra" recorded 4.92 million streams on Spotify, marking Gaga's biggest debut on the platform with a solo song. [20]

Music video

The music video for "Abracadabra" was directed by Gaga alongside Parris Goebel and Bethany Vargas. [21] A nearly full-length teaser premiered during a commercial break in conjunction with Mastercard at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards and was later released on the singer's platforms. [9] The music video opens with Gaga, standing on the upper level of a grand venue, dressed in a spiked red latex outfit. She declares, "The category is dance or die," setting off an intense choreography sequence featuring a crowd of forty dancers, all dressed in white. [11] Throughout the video, the two versions of Gaga alternate: the white-clad Gaga exudes frenetic energy, while the red-clad version remains more composed, symbolizing a dance battle between light and darkness. [10]

Speaking to Elle , Gaga explained the video's concept revolves around "being ready to face challenges," with the lady in red daring the audience to "dance for their lives." She also described the visual as a complement to the song, stating, "When you hear 'Abracadabra' for the first time, you might think, 'What is this about? It's fun to listen to, but what does it mean?' For me, watching the video makes it clear—it's about moving forward." [22] Along with Goebel, who choreographed the video, Gaga announced a Priceless Experience contest in partnership with Mastercard to be in a fan video. Fans would have to perform the video's choreography with the social media hashtag #MastercardGagaContest. [23]

Reception

Denis of Billboard stated that the clip evokes "Bad Romance" with "its meticulous display of the intersection of various art forms" as well as its high-fashion aesthetics. [2] Rolling Stone writer Paul highlighted the video's frenetic choreography, describing it as "an eruption of chaos and movement," while also noting that "its aesthetics reinforce the concept of Mayhem and, along with the song, recall The Fame Monster era with its dark and theatrical visual style." [11]

Release history

"Abracadabra" release history
RegionDateFormat(s)LabelRef.
VariousFebruary 3, 2025 Interscope [24]
ItalyRadio airplay Universal [25]

References

  1. 1 2 Goldberg, Alyssa (February 3, 2025). "At Grammys, Lady Gaga debuts surprise song 'Abracadabra,' shares message for trans people". USA Today . ISSN   0734-7456. OCLC   8799626. Archived from the original on February 3, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Denis, Kyle (February 3, 2025). "Lady Gaga Debuts New Single 'Abracadabra' & Music Video at 2025 Grammys". Billboard . ISSN   0006-2510. OCLC   732913734. Archived from the original on February 3, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Lady Gaga estrena 'Abracadabra' y nos hace una propuesta: "Baila o Muere"" [Lady Gaga releases 'Abracadabra' and makes us a proposal: "Dance or Die"] (in European Spanish). Los 40. February 3, 2025. Archived from the original on February 3, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  4. ↑ Gonçalves, Julien (February 3, 2025). ""Le clip de l'année" : Lady Gaga ressuscite la pop avec l'incroyable "Abracadabra"" ["Video of the Year": Lady Gaga Resurrects Pop with Incredible "Abracadabra"] (in French). Puremédias. Archived from the original on February 3, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  5. ↑ Monroe, Jazz (January 27, 2025). "Lady Gaga Announces New Album Mayhem". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on January 27, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  6. ↑ Grein, Paul (February 1, 2025). "Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars, Shaboozey Added as Performers to 2025 Grammys". Billboard . ISSN   0006-2510. OCLC   732913734. Archived from the original on February 3, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  7. ↑ Grutter, Felipe (January 30, 2025). "Lady Gaga indica qual será o próximo single do álbum Mayhem" [Lady Gaga hints at the next single from her Mayhem album]. Rolling Stone Brasil (in Portuguese). ISSN   0035-791X. OCLC   969027590. Archived from the original on February 3, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  8. ↑ Garcia, Thania; Aswad, Jem (January 27, 2025). "Lady Gaga's Next Album, Mayhem, Due March 7". Variety . ISSN   0042-2738. OCLC   60626328. Archived from the original on February 3, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  9. 1 2 Strauss, Matthew (February 3, 2025). "Lady Gaga Shares Video for New Song "Abracadabra"". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on February 3, 2025. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  10. 1 2 Willman, Chris (February 3, 2025). "Lady Gaga Premieres New Single and Music Video, 'Abracadabra,' During Grammys Commercial Break". Variety . ISSN   0042-2738. OCLC   60626328. Archived from the original on February 3, 2025. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  11. 1 2 3 Paul, Larisha (February 3, 2025). "Lady Gaga Sprinkles Some Magic Over 2025 Grammys With Surprise Single 'Abracadabra'". Rolling Stone . ISSN   0035-791X. OCLC   969027590. Archived from the original on February 3, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  12. ↑ Murray, Robin (February 3, 2025). "Lady Gaga Shares New Single 'Abracadabra'". Clash . ISSN   1743-0801. Archived from the original on February 3, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  13. ↑ Viapiana, Alessandro Viapiana (February 3, 2025). ""Abracadabra", Lady Gaga presenta a sorpresa il nuovo singolo ai Grammys" ["Abracadabra", Lady Gaga surprises new single at Grammys]. L'Officiel (in Italian). ISSN   0030-0403. Archived from the original on February 3, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  14. ↑ Carter, Daisy (February 3, 2025). "Lady Gaga debuts video for club-ready banger 'Abracadabra'". DIY . Archived from the original on February 4, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  15. ↑ Cárcoba, Gabriel (February 3, 2025). "Lady Gaga vuelve a su era 'Bad Romance' en 'Abracadabra'" [Lady Gaga returns to her 'Bad Romance' era in 'Abracadabra']. Jenesaispop (in Spanish). Archived from the original on February 4, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  16. ↑ Green, Walden (February 3, 2025). "Lady Gaga: "Abracadabra"". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on February 4, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  17. ↑ Viswanath, Jake (February 3, 2025). "You Have To See Lady Gaga's New "Abracadabra" Music Video". Bustle . Archived from the original on February 4, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  18. ↑ Wratten, Marcus (February 3, 2025). "Lady Gaga fans go wild for new 'banger' single Abracadabra: 'Return to form'". PinkNews . Archived from the original on February 4, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  19. ↑ Villegas, Ricardo Cervantes (February 2, 2025). "Lady Gaga estrena la canción 'Abracadabra'; escúchala aquí" [After winning a Grammy, Lady Gaga releases the song 'Abracadabra'; listen to it here]. Milenio (in Mexican Spanish). Archived from the original on February 4, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  20. ↑ Bardají, Jordi (February 5, 2025). "Lady Gaga sube al top 5 de Spotify Global con 'Abracadabra'" [Lady Gaga climbs into Spotify Global top 5 with 'Abracadabra']. Jenesaispop (in Spanish). Archived from the original on February 5, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  21. ↑ Fell, Nicole (February 3, 2025). "Lady Gaga Returns to Pop Roots with New Song and Music Video "Abracadabra"". The Hollywood Reporter . ISSN   0018-3660. OCLC   44653726. Archived from the original on February 3, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  22. ↑ Jeffs, Lotte (February 3, 2025). "Lady Gaga Tells Us Everything You Want To Know About 'Abracadabra' After That Spectacular Grammys Reveal". Elle . Archived from the original on February 3, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Mastercard and Lady Gaga team up to debut "Abracadabra" music video, celebrating fans with Priceless Experiences" (Press release). MasterCard. February 3, 2025. Archived from the original on February 3, 2025. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  24. ↑ Gaga, Lady. "Abracadabra – Single". Apple Music. Archived from the original on February 4, 2025. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  25. ↑ Fusi, Eleonora (February 3, 2025). "LADY GAGA "Abracadabra" | (Radio Date: 03/02/2025)" (Press release) (in Italian). Airplay Control. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
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