While discussing her musical influences on her SiriusXM channel, “Gaga Radio,” Lady Gaga revealed that her forthcoming album, Mayhem, draws inspiration from ’90s music icons such as Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead. Gaga specifically mentioned NIN’s classic 1994 single as impacting the sound of her record, saying “‘Closer’ is a huge inspiration for Mayhem.” Gaga also admitted that she has recently been getting into “heavier and intense” music. “When I heard Johnny Cash do [Nine Inch Nails’] ‘Hurt,’ I realized that so many different kinds of music could find their way into these sorts of sounds,” she said. In an interview with Elle, Gaga attributed the album’s industrial edge to other influential artists. “There’s a transitional moment on the album that’s rooted in ’90s music. A sort of electro grunge defiance,” Gaga says. “That era in music which was a response to the music that came before it. And then David Bowie theatrical rock, Prince, Radiohead. I was inspired by so much music that has grown roots in my veins.” (Consequence of Sound)
