The Track Record

All art is inherently political. But do you see it? Let Vaish Kash be your eyes (and ears) on The Track Record—a podcast that digs into the music that moves culture, shapes identity, and stirs up conversation. Each episode takes a closer look at one album, unpacking the political, social, and emotional world it was born into—and the ripple effects it left behind. Whether you’re a lifelong listener, a lyrics-obsessed overthinker, or just curious about how art shapes the world around us—this is your space to press play, tune in, and track the record.

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Episodes

4 days ago


In this episode of The Track Record, we dive deep into the wild, weird, and wounded world of Mayhem. In the last one, we had my bestie Aryan Mahajan help us set the stage: who Gaga is and how she shapeshifts through the culture.
Today, we walk through the album song by song. No skips.
Part two of our Mayhem breakdown takes us from glitter-stained ballads to glitchy breakdowns, through Eden-like clubs, conversations and graveyards. Gaga pulls us through grief, lust, fame, fantasy, performance, persona, and whatever’s left of the self once the curtain falls.
To follow along with The Track Record, find the podcast on Instagram.
To get connected with Vaish, find her on Instagram.
Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe!
Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.
If you have any questions, please email Lily Mott at lily@bethechangepodcast.org.

Friday Jun 27, 2025

In this episode of The Track Record, we welcome Aryan Mahajan, one of the most passionate and perceptive Lady Gaga fans out there.
Together, we unpack the chaos, control, and catharsis of Mayhem and explore Gaga as more than just a provocateur or pop icon. What does it mean to live as both Gaga and Stefani? How does she hold space for trans queer fans through more than just the songs? And where was she, emotionally and politically, when Mayhem stormed into the world?
This is a conversation full of grudges and gratitude, joy and judgment. For the fans who found healing in the Mayhem and the ones still figuring it out, this one’s for you. <3
To follow along with The Track Record, find the podcast on Instagram.
To get connected with Vaish, find her on Instagram.
Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe!
Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.
If you have any questions, please email Lily Mott at lily@bethechangepodcast.org.

Friday Jun 13, 2025

In this episode of The Track Record, we unpack the mythic, mournful, magnificent world of BTS’ You Never Walk Alone, not just as a K-pop milestone, but as a coming-of-age novel in motion.
From piano lullabies and mother-son tributes to crime confessions and cyphers of self-love, You Never Walk Alone dares to be both biblical and boyish, both a diary and a manual. We read each solo track as a chapter in a larger emotional syllabus, one that wrestles with shame, identity, masculinity, fame, and forgiveness.
This is not a casual listen. It’s a love letter to the album that taught us wings hurt when they grow, that pain deserves poetry, and that no one, truly no one, walks alone.
To follow along with The Track Record, find the podcast on Instagram.
To get connected with Vaish, find her on Instagram.
Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe!
Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.
If you have any questions, please email Lily Mott at lily@bethechangepodcast.org.

Friday May 23, 2025

In this episode of The Track Record, we defend The Tortured Poets Department not as a breakup album but as a lyrical reckoning with fame, femininity, and fallout. Written against a backdrop of post # SpeakUpNow backlash, billionaire paradoxes, and a world increasingly hostile to nuance, TTPD is Taylor Swift’s sharpest, most self-aware work yet.
 
From poetic courtroom drama to cosmic delusion, we break down why the album isn’t bloated, it’s brutally intentional. The real issue? Misogyny, parasocial scrutiny, and a cultural allergy to reading women deeply.
 
This isn’t a hot take, it’s a heartfelt plea to look past the headlines, listen with care, and let yourself feel the heartbreak, too.
 
To follow along with The Track Record, find the podcast on Instagram.
 
To get connected with Vaish, find her on Instagram.
 
Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe!
 
Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.
 
If you have any questions, please email Lily Mott at lily@bethechangepodcast.org.

the BRAT episode.

Friday May 02, 2025

Friday May 02, 2025

In this episode of The Track Record, we dive headfirst into Brat, Charli XCX’s chaotic club confessional. From the thumping defiance of “Von dutch” to the existential vulnerability of “I might say something stupid,” Charli delivers a masterclass in self-aware pop stardom. We explore how Brat redefines authenticity, performs internet-age identity, and turns personal disarray into cultural commentary—one rave anthem at a time.
To follow along with The Track Record, find the podcast on Instagram.
To get connected with Vaish, find her on Instagram.
Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe!
Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.
If you have any questions, please email Lily Mott at lily@bethechangepodcast.org.

Friday Apr 18, 2025

In this episode of The Track Record, we delve into the multifaceted world of Jennie's latest album, Ruby. From the audacious declaration in "Like JENNIE" to the introspective tones of "start a war," we explore how Jennie navigates the complexities of agency, identity, and cultural discourse. Join us as we dissect the themes, controversies, and unapologetic artistry that define this era of Jennie's music.
To follow along with The Track Record, find the podcast on Instagram.
To get connected with Vaish, find her on Instagram.
Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe!
Follow Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.
If you have any questions, please email Lily Mott at lily@bethechangepodcast.org.

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