Lady Gaga - Disease
Let's be honest with ourselves—do we like this because it’s fresh and exciting, or are we drawn in by nostalgia? There’s no wrong answer, but it definitely shapes how "Disease" lands with listeners.
Disease is a return to Lady Gaga’s dark-pop roots, bringing with it all the hallmarks of her earlier work: moody synths, pulsing beats, and that signature mix of pop edge with a slight theatrical flair. But it’s worth emphasizing that this is a "return" in the truest sense. Gaga and her team aren’t reinventing the wheel here; instead, they’re revisiting a style that she’s already cemented in pop history. While the sound is undeniably rhythmic, with a steady beat that easily gets your foot tapping and head nodding, there’s a sense of déjà vu. Once the song wraps up, it fades quickly into the endless stream of 2024 pop hits (thank you, Spotify autoplay). And then I’m left wondering: did I just listen to Judas, Alejandro, or maybe Bad Romance?
Lyrically, it feels like a Gaga throwback—almost like lyrics stitched together from old drafts left in the studio a decade ago. The rhymes are unremarkable, and the creativity feels dialed back. Not that anyone expects a song like this to offer soul-baring vulnerability or profound subtext, but Gaga has shown time and time again that she can craft pop hits that are both accessible and clever.
"Disease" plays it safe—almost like a subtle white flag to her Little Monsters, giving them exactly what they’ve been asking for. Some fans aren’t interested in her artistic evolution or the journey that’s brought her to where she is today; they want the comfort of something familiar. It’s hard to fault her for catering to them, but this choice feels more tactical than creative.
Personally, I think it’s a bit too soon for Gaga to start referencing herself. She’s still in that stage of her career where she can push forward without constantly looking over her shoulder. Because in tea terms, "Disease" is like a standard black tea with sugar—nice enough, but predictable. And personally, I prefer a strong pu-erh, the kind that tastes like brewed earth.
6.9/10
