This fall things were not looking good for beloved queer icon Lady Gaga. The mess that was Joker: Foile á Deux was bleeding money and quickly became the joke of this film season. The release of her single “Disease” from her upcoming album Mayhem hinted at a return to the dark pop sound we know and love, but failed to make an impact. Her worst entry for a lead single in 16 years, the song debuted in October at number 27 on the Billboard Charts. Fans were abuzz with worry: had Gaga officially entered her flop era?
An answer came during the 67th Grammys on Sunday when Gaga, in partnership with Mastercard, premiered the shockingly gag-worthy music video for her newest single, “Abracadabra.” The video, a stunningly dark dance-led triumph, serves Little Monsters everything they could want from Gaga.
Directed by the Mother Monster herself alongside Parris Goebel and Bethany Vargas, the video opens with a red latex-clad Gaga announcing that “the category is dance or die”. From there a full queer ballroom-style dance-off emerges between dark and light—a white lace-covered Gaga and a red dominatrix Gaga. The freaky dancing, which some have even called vaguely satanic, the high fashion looks, the unabashed embrace of darkness, and the vocals of a strong, seemingly fearless Gaga all carry traces of the early 2000s era of her music when she was unafraid to offend the masses with her art. Paired with intense strobe lighting and indulgently insane choreography from Parris Goebel, this video is sure to make fans say one thing: We are so back.
This genuinely made me feel like a kid again seeing Gaga for the first time 😭 pic.twitter.com/k01bKFIAK9
— ɢ.ᴜ.ʏ. | 𝙈𝘼𝙔𝙃𝙀𝙈 (@dollopgaga) February 3, 2025
lady gaga weird again??? REAL POP MUSIC IS BACK https://t.co/uaa6RFOgqe
— ໊ (@buffys) February 3, 2025
gaga is always at her best when she’s vaguely catholic
— Sydney Battle (@SydneyBattle) February 3, 2025
My mom hates the new Lady Gaga song we are so fucking back !!!!!!!!!
— Joe (@hornburgalar) February 3, 2025
Beyond the reference to queer ball culture, this song indulges in classically queer sounds. An emphatically catchy chorus, pulsing house beats, and piercing rhythm make this song an undeniable club hit that will be unavoidable in queer bars throughout the world this year. In true Gaga fashion, the chorus ends with the phrases “amor-ooh-na-na”, “morta-ooh-ga-ga” and “abra-ooh-na-na” which only go to show that gibberish and repetitive vowels still hate to see miss Gaga coming.
Alongside an explosion of excitement for the return of classic Gaga, fans have marked it as a potential indicator of something else—an incoming economic recession. Why, you might ask, is Gaga seen as a horseman of an impending economic apocalypse? Well, fans who see “Abracadabra” as a callback to the iconic 2009 album The Fame Monster, also remember the economic recession that accompanied that year. Little Monsters have taken to social media to share their theories that this level of Gaga slayage can only mean a recession is around the corner.
Is gaga a recession indicator
— buzzfeed jenny 🧘♀️ (@buzzfeedjenny) February 3, 2025
Gaga eating.
— tré easton (@treeaston) February 3, 2025
Beyoncé touring.
Republicans crashing the economy.
WELCOME BACK 2009!
Gaga was dancing like parents all over America are arguing upstairs about bills again we’re kinda back
— melv☆ (@melvsolar) February 3, 2025
Besides her recent releases, Gaga had a big night at the Grammys. When she and collaborator Bruno Mars won an award for their song “Die With a Smile”, Gaga took a moment to share support for the trans community saying, “Trans people are not invisible. Trans people deserve love, the queer community deserves to be lifted up. Music is love.” One thing remains true throughout Gaga’s entire career—whether it be through supplying gag-worthy visuals and dance-worthy songs or using her platform to vocalize support—Gaga will always be one with the queer community.