Will Woman Gaga’s ‘Mayhem’ Best the Billboard 200 Albums Chart?

The Contenders is a midweek column that appears at artists aiming for the highest of the Billboard charts, and the methods at the back of their efforts. This week, for the impending Billboard 200 dated Mar. 22, we take a look at whether or not the newest album from one of the crucial century’s largest pop stars will go back her to the highest of the chart for the primary time in 5 years. 

Woman Gaga, Mayhem (Interscope): For the primary time since 2020, Woman Gaga has returned with a brand new album of authentic subject matter. The long-anticipated Mayhem follows the pandemic-released Chromatica, and arrives at the again of a trio of advance singles: the solo best 30 Billboard Scorching 100 hits “Illness” and “Abracadabra,” which lead off the brand new set, and the Scorching 100-topping Bruno Mars duet “Die With a Smile,” which is incorporated because the album’s nearer.  

The well-reviewed album additionally comes following an absolute avalanche of 2025 promotional appearances, together with performances on the Grammys, the FireAid receive advantages live performance and the SNL fiftieth Anniversary Homecoming Live performance, and video interviews with Apple Song’s Zane Lowe, Sean Evans of Scorching Ones and Billboard’s personal Stephen Daw, amongst many others. Gaga capped her epic Mayhem promo run remaining weekend through pulling double responsibility on Saturday’s SNL, each webhosting the display and serving as its musical visitor, handing over charming performances of each “Abracadabra” and “Killah” off the brand new set.  

The 14-track LP may be to be had on the market in all kinds of bodily codecs, together with a surprising 14 other vinyl variants – a few of which might be signed and a few of which come with the bonus music “Can’t Prevent the Top,” in conjunction with a Goal unique that includes the additional lower “Kill for Love.” There also are 4 other CD editions, with the similar choices of bonus tracks and a Gaga signature, in addition to a deluxe CD field set with a branded T-shirt and poster or even a cassette model. 

It’s all more likely to put the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar warring on the best of the Billboard 200 – which ended in one of the crucial closest races lately this week, with Lamar’s GNX in the end reigning triumphant for a 3rd nonconsecutive body – to mattress, as Mayhem turns out a excellent guess to present Gaga her 7th No. 1 at the chart. It will finally end up falling wanting the 274,000 gadgets moved through Chromatica in its 2020 debut week – again then, merch and price tag bundles nonetheless counted against Billboard chart calculations, and considerably boosted that album’s preliminary numbers – however it will have to nonetheless land with ease within the six figures, and has an excellent chance of passing the 177,000 of Tate McRae’s So With reference to What front for the most efficient single-week efficiency for an album through a feminine artist in 2025.  

IN THE MIX 

JENNIE, RUBY (Atypical Atelier/Columbia): The new rush of releases from BLACKPINK contributors reaches its finish – probably anyway – with the English-language solo debut LP from JENNIE. The star-studded RUBY contains collaborations with Dua Lipa, Dominic Fike, Infantile Gambino, Kali Uchis, and naturally Billboard Girl of the Yr Doechii, whose “ExtraL” team-up with JENNIE graced the Scorching 100 at No. 75 previous this month. With a fairly muted streaming presence and no primary breakout hits but, RUBY is not likely to problem for the Billboard 200’s best spot, however will have to practice ROSÉ’s Quantity One Lady and Lisa’s Adjust Ego to the chart’s best 10.  

Jason Isbell, Foxes within the Snow (Southeastern): The most recent effort from acclaimed Americana singer-songwriter Jason Isbell is his first in just about twenty years not to come with any contributions from his longtime backing band the 400 Unit. It’s now not the one method he’s long gone it solo just lately, because the album was once written within the wake of his divorce with former bandmate Amanda Shires, and was once closely influenced through the cut up. Isbell’s albums reliably promote nicely, and Foxes is to be had in each 5 vinyl variants and 2 CD editions. 

Spiritbox, Tsunami Sea (Faded Chord/Upward thrust): Canadian heavy steel band Spiritbox became numerous chartwatchers’ heads 4 years in the past when its debut set Everlasting Blue controlled a No. 13 debut at the Billboard 200 – an overly spectacular quantity for any exhausting rock band this decade, however specifically one with out a lot historical past at the Billboard charts. This month, the now-Grammy-nominated quartet returns with Tsunami Sea, which is getting rave opinions and which is available to buy on CD, cassette and no less than 9 vinyl variants.