yes, that is hazbin, i am in my hazbin phase... but if i had to replace it i'm giving it to circus by britney or glory days by little mix

currently exploring and listening to:
- demi
- selena
- 5h
- whitney
- dolly
- celine
- and someday miley in full, i already listened to post-plastic hearts albums

What are your thoughts?

With all of the most recent talk about how Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson were in Taylor Swift's most recent music video for Patient Zero, it got me thinking, how come the Main PopGirls of today don't really cast big name Hollywood celebs in their music videos to promote their music as much anymore ? And is there a certain actor that you'd love to see in a music video in the future ?

and while i’m very aware of the controversy surrounding aaliyah’s debut album, especially r. kelly’s involvement and presence on the cover, i can’t help but feel like this record captures the sound of early 90s bedroom r&b so perfectly. there’s something so warm, dreamy and nostalgic about it. every time i listen, i feel like i’m missing a time i never even got to experience.

Horror movies tend to have (very) spooky soundtracks - looking at you, Backrooms and The Exorcist!

Let's reshuffle the cards and imagine what song would fit the horror movie soundtrack bill (even though it's not actually featured on one...yet!).

I'll start us off with "Walking On Air" by Kerli 😨

I've been working on something a little outside my usual academic research, and I'd really love to hear what Gaga fans think about it.

I teach psychology for Brooklyn College, and a lot of my research focuses on working mothers, gender expectations, and how people are treated when they don't fit into the roles society has created for them.

Somehow, that research led me down a rabbit hole involving Greek mythology, Lilith, and Lady Gaga. Not exactly where I expected to end up!

Here's what got me thinking.

In one of the best-known stories about Lilith, she's portrayed as dangerous because she refuses to submit to Adam. Then there's Echidna in Greek mythology, who's remembered as the Mother of Monsters. Her children include creatures like Cerberus and the Hydra.

Obviously, these are very different stories, and their histories are complicated. But I kept coming back to the same question.

Why are women, particularly women who don't behave the way they're expected to, so often portrayed as something frightening?

And then I started thinking about Gaga.

She didn't run away from the word monster. She embraced it. And somewhere along the way, being a Little Monster became something people could actually be proud of. Even the title Mother Monster fascinates me, particularly given my research on motherhood and the expectations attached to it.

I find that really interesting from a psychological perspective.

But here's the thing. I can read all the academic literature I want, and that doesn't necessarily mean I understand what being a Little Monster means to the people who actually identify that way.

So I'm curious. Do you think Gaga deliberately changed what the word monster means, or was it more about creating a place where people who felt different could belong?

Or am I reading way too much into it? That's entirely possible, too! I know this is likely not a new concept to anyone to this group. but, I am generally wanting your imput .

I ended up making a roughly 9-minute video essay exploring the connections between Gaga, Lilith, and Echidna. I used AI-assisted visuals in the production, just to be upfront about that (if you are going to be mean about that please do not comment).

Here's the link if anyone's interested:

https://youtu.be/SWToRAfe5o4

I'm not looking for subscribers or anything like that. I'd genuinely like to know what you think, especially if you've followed Gaga for years.

I have my own interpretation, but I suspect some of you have a much better understanding of what Mother Monster means than I do.

And if I've completely missed something, please tell me. That's part of the fun of exploring this stuff.

Did you know that Ripe's Robbie Wulfsohn and Sampson Hellerman share a birthday (Oct. 26)? Ripe is a truly fun band live - imagine if Jason Mraz, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lionel Richie and Bruno Mars formed an awesome house party band. I was lucky to see them play one of two sold out shows at Webster Hall in February 2020, where they played a bunch of unique covers.

Check out this clip of them covering Adele's "Hello" (which was released as a single 11 years ago on Oct. 23). And stay tuned for more things to come from this space, including stories from concerts like this!

I’ve never been much of a Beyoncé fan, but the production on this song is incredible and hypnotic. And I like that the music video was clearly inspired by Madonna’s video for “Justify My Love”

After thinking long and hard, these have to be the albums that got me where I am today. Each one has made a significant impact on me personally and musically. So much great music to get me through the years!

What do you think this says about me? Are any of these on your lists?

Do you have an album, artist, or playlist that you listen to when you’re getting ready for bed or trying to relax?

I put Taylor Swift’s albums Folklore and Evermore on one playlist. I’ll start playing it while I’m my night time shower and keep it on until I’m in bed.

I have been doing this when I’m stressed out since she released them during the pandemic, and over time I think part of the comfort is that it is so familiar.

Did Doechii’s “ANXIETY” ruin “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye, or was it just TikTok? 😂 Just listen to the beat! Doesn’t it sound the same? Every time I hear “ANXIETY,” I think of Gotye’s song. I can’t be the only one hearing this! What do you guys think?

between sour, guts, and you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, which one takes the crown for you?

which has the strongest tracklist, best songwriting, and most replay value? has olivia gotten better with every album, or will one of her earlier releases always be hard to beat?

I think it's actually a very good album and has aged well minus "Stupid in Love" and "Photographs". "Firebomb" is a particular standout and one of the best ballads of her career, imo. "Rude Boy" really saved the album commercially, at least here in the US, but that's because it was an upbeat song that fit in better with what was dominating radio at the time. Rated R did get critical acclaim from some publications, but its reception from the public was lukewarm and I don't believe it received any Grammy nominations, unlike Good Girl Gone Bad or Loud.

Charli XCX: Named Blackout as her favorite album of all time, frequently citing Britney Spears as a primary career inspiration and noting how the album's electronic, club-centric production influenced her own musical direction.

Macy Gray: Called Blackout "one of the best albums ever", sharing that she listens to it—specifically the track "Radar"—to give herself courage and energy before going on stage.

Jade Thirlwall (JADE): Praised Blackout as a "pop bible" and noted that lead single "Gimme More" is one of her favorite pop songs ever, stating that the project helped shape the sound of modern pop.

Adéla: Named Blackout the greatest pop record of all time, celebrating its production, self-awareness, and lasting influence on electronic pop.

Kesha: Frequently celebrated the album's legacy and its impact on the wave of electropop and celebrity-focused party anthems that followed in the late 2000s and 2010s

Slayyyter: Called the album "the blueprint for everything. For me, for everybody." In an interview with UPROXX, she noted that later defining eras of pop music—like Lady Gaga's—could not have existed without Britney paving the way with "Gimme More".

Rihanna: Expressed her love for the album right around its release, stating: "It's very European, it's very pop, and it's funky." She added that all the songs make you want to move and that there are "no boring songs on it—it’s just a good groove."

Marina (formerly Marina and the diamonds): Applauded Britney's inherent genius on the project, noting that "pop instincts are so ingrained in her brain." She pointed out that people don't give Britney enough credit as an actual songwriter and conceptual artist for what she built during that era.

Danielle Haim: Called the record "so refreshing for that time" and noted that coming off a series of meticulously managed, "prim and proper" eras, Blackout finally felt like "she was being herself and not letting anyone tell her what to do."

Britney Spears: Described it as one of the easiest and most satisfying albums she ever made. For its 10th anniversary, she told The Fader that "the magic of Blackout was actually pretty simple. It just wasn't so thought out. I just did what I felt and it worked." She also noted she loves the track "Freakshow" because "it’s sassy, and I love sassy."

I love Red Velvet’s Reve Festival Finale, Nmixx’s Blue Valentine, and f(x)’s pink tape

ANTI
Unapologetic
Positions
Thriller
4
Stripped
1989
Believe
Dangerous Woman

Honorable mention to Fine Line by Harry Styles and The Fame/The Fame Monster by Lady Gaga (and pretty much the rest of Madonna's discography...)