The Contenders is a midweek column that looks at artists aiming for the top of the Billboard charts, and the strategies behind their efforts. This week, for the upcoming Billboard 200 dated Mar. 22, we look at whether the latest album from one of the century's greatest pop stars will return her to the top of the chart for the first time in five years.

Little Monsters, put your paws up because Lady Gaga released a new album, Mayhem, on March 7, 2025, and is now teasing a potential tour. She has announced shows in Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, and Singapore,

The star singer returns with her first solo LP since 2020, and it’s full of typically irresistible hooks and her signature sense of drama.