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.

Lady Gaga's new album "Mayhem" is a beautifully chaotic collage of songs sonically inspired by David Bowie, Prince, Nine Inch Nails and more to create a more mature version of her debut studio album entitled "The Fame" or "The Fame Monster" deluxe.

Her new album is a work of self-citation, rummaging around in Gaga’s own past for inspiration. It’s also, somehow, the freshest collection of songs she has released in years.