Keith Montena returns this week to break down MAYHEM, Lady Gaga’s seventh studio album, and the sonic landscape that defines it. While early singles Disease and Abracadabra hinted at one direction, the full album takes an unexpected turn, pulling from Prince, Bowie, and electro-grunge influences in ways that might surprise you. From the rollout to the creative choices, how does MAYHEM actually stack up? Find out how Garden of Eden taps into Gaga’s earliest songwriting roots, Perfect Celebrity almost took the album in an entirely different direction, and all collaborators on deck. Plus, how do the ‘80s influences fit into today’s pop landscape, and did the marketing set listeners up for something completely different? In just under 40 minutes, Vinyl Drop unpacks "MAYHEM" during release week.

This week we're breaking down "Abracadabra" by Lady Gaga, the second (technically third) single from MAYHEM. After premiering during The 2025 Grammys, the track has signaled a leap for and already sparked major conversation. We’re getting into key creatives and collaborators who worked on the song and video, and the team behind it. What is Abracadabra, song and video, about? From the sonic direction to critics' reception, I’m diving deep into where this track sits in Gaga’s discography and why it feels like one of her most defining releases in years. Plus, I'll be discussing claims of her mirroring too much from previous hits. Vinyl Drop covers pop music with an emphasis on new releases, the artists' creative process, collaborators, and their marketing strategy. What do you think of "Abracadabra"? Where does it rank for you? And what should we break down next?

Keith Montena returns this week to discuss "143", Katy Perry’s sixth album, and the missteps that defined her 2024 comeback. After a few underperforming albums, Katy set the stage for a maximalist dance-pop album with Women’s World as the lead single, dubbed a female empowerment anthem. But with producer Dr. Luke’s controversial involvement, an inconsistent rollout, and material that failed to resonate, the era did not live up to expectation. From a pop fan, hear about why "Women's World" faced so much backlash, the history behind WHY collaborators were controversial, and an analysis from a pop fan on Katy Perry's trajectory from "Teenage Dream" to "Witness" and her (lovely!) redemption arc with "Smile", in just under 40 minutes. Vinyl Drop dives into how this comeback went off the rails.