Lady Gaga continues to surprise her audience with her chameleonic talent and ability to revisit her own aesthetics and concepts in an innovative way. With Abracadabra, the artist returns to the dark and theatrical pop that made her iconic, delivering a music video filled with symbolism, fashion, and striking choreography. Released during the 2025 Grammy Awards, the track is part of the album Mayhem, marked by an intense exploration of the dualities and contradictions that shape Gaga's identity.
The sound of 'Abracadabra'
The song draws influences from dance-pop, electronic, and house music, featuring immersive synthesizers and a pulsating beat. There are also traces of the futuristic sound explored in Chromatica, especially in the polished production and house music elements.
Many critics and fans also noticed other elements from Gaga's previous productions, such as the grandiose chorus of Bad Romance and the energy contained in Born This Way. This blend of influences has resulted in a familiar yet updated sound that speaks to the modern era of pop music while maintaining the intense energy that characterized Chromatica.
Despite some comparisons with previous works, Abracadabra still stands as one of Gaga's strongest singles in recent years. Its intense vocal delivery and incorporation of theatrical elements make for a hypnotic listening experience.
Music video: a reinterpretation of Gaga's legacy
The clip of Abracadabra not only pays homage Alejandro (2010), but reinterprets it from a new perspective. Directed by Gaga in partnership with Parris Goebel and Bethany Vargas, the music video features a choreographed battle between two sides of the artist: a red being, representing chaos and darkness, and a Gaga dressed in white, symbolizing light and resilience.
The opening scene of the clip directly evokes Alejandro, with an aerial shot showing Gaga sitting on a throne, watching her dancers. Throughout the video, elements such as the stylized choreography, the monochromatic costumes and the religious symbolism reinforce the connection between the two works. The inverted crosses, for example, appear again, but this time within a context that highlights the artist's inner struggle.
Furthermore, the character Mayhem, already introduced in the music video for Disease, is present in Abracadabra, bringing visual and narrative continuity to the universe of Mayhem. The hat, a red version of the dress and the cane used in the clip make direct reference to the figure of the entity that represents fear and self-destruction. This aesthetic choice also refers to the music video for Paparazzi, where Gaga danced with a crutch after suffering a dramatic fall. The singer underwent hip surgery years ago, a topic discussed in Applause, when he carries a leg with flowers in the music video (break a leg). Now, with Abracadabra, this representation can indicate a new way of facing pain and overcoming it.
Interestingly, the aesthetics of the clip also refer to the campaign Born to Dare, by Tudor, starring Lady Gaga in 2017. In the campaign, the artist explored looks that combined classic elegance with a bold and daring touch, something that can also be seen in Abracadabra. The duality between light and dark, classic and modern, and the presence of two versions of Gaga in conflict reinforce this similarity, creating an intense and symbolic visual narrative.
The symbolism of costumes in 'Abracadabra'
Another innovative aspect of the music video is the costumes. Gaga repurposed outfits from her own personal archive and incorporated repurposed fabrics, including old wedding dresses, to create her iconic white cape. This decision reinforces the music video’s narrative of transformation and resilience, while also aligning the production’s aesthetic with sustainable fashion principles.
The cultural and political focus of 'Abracadabra'
Gaga has a history of using her art as a platform for social and political debate. In Alejandro, the artist criticized militarism and made an allusion to politics Don't Ask, Don't Tell, which discriminated against LGBTQ+ soldiers. Abracadabra continues this tradition by highlighting queer artists and figures from the ballroom scene, such as Honey Balenciaga.
In an interview for She, Gaga emphasized the importance of community in the creation of the music video: “I cannot start or receive this challenge without my community, and that community is incredibly strong,” she said. The video is thus a manifesto of resilience and unity at a time when LGBTQ+ rights face significant political challenges.
Reception from critics and fans
Reception to the song and music video has been mixed. While some critics have highlighted the repetition of elements from past Gaga eras, others have pointed out that Abracadabra represents their strongest single since Shallow or GUY. The portal Pitchfork noted that although the song doesn't break any radical new ground, it has a nostalgic appeal that works well.
On social media, fans celebrated the intense choreography and Gaga's return to her more theatrical self. Reddit, discussions about the parallels with Alejandro dominate fan forums, with many praising the artist's ability to revisit her own legacy without seeming stale.
Lady Gaga's spell continues
With Abracadabra, Lady Gaga reaffirms her position as one of the most influential artists in contemporary pop music. The single captures the dual spirit of her new album, Mayhem, while paying homage to iconic moments from his career. Whether it’s the striking visual appeal, the political message or the engaging musical execution, Abracadabra proves that, even revisiting elements from the past, Gaga still manages to enchant and innovate.
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