LG7 has arrived, and we're diving in headfirst! Pop sensation and certified Gaga stan ZEE MACHINE joins me, along with best-friend-of-the-pod DJ John Michael, for an electrifying track-by-track reaction—recorded just 12 hours after Mother Monster unleashed her latest era of MAYHEM.

From "Disease" to "Killah" to "Blade of Grass", and the bonus cuts "Can't Stop The High" and "Kill For Love," no beat, lyric, or synth goes unnoticed. And, of course, it wouldn’t be HOMOPHONIC without a Gaga Edition of Songs We Don’t Talk About Enough. PAWS UP, LITTLE MONSTERS!

The "Mayhem" Episode (with ZEE MACHINE & DJ John Michael)

DJ John Michael is back, and we’re serving up a sizzling pop culture catch-up! 🌟 We’re breaking down the Oscars’ biggest moments, bowing down to Charli XCX and JADE at the Brit Awards, and showering Max Martin in well-deserved birthday love. Plus, who are the big male pop stars these days? We’ve got thoughts. 💭✨ We’re also diving into fresh bops from Rebecca Black and Melanie C, and, of course, celebrating the iconic anniversary of Madonna’s Ray of Light. Buckle up, pop fans—this one’s a ride!

The Oscars, The BRITS, & Ray Of Light (with DJ John Michael)

DJ John Michael is back, and this is an episode you do NOT want to miss! We tumbled headfirst down a recession pop rabbit hole, hyping up Dev & The Cataracs’ upcoming banger “Make Ya Body Whistle,” while giving long-overdue flowers to Kelis’ “In Public” and “Acapella,” Brandy’s Human album, and Alanis Morissette’s criminally underrated Flavors of Entanglement.

We also dissect whether or not Madonna has a “bad song” (Zach’s bias comes out), relive Jennifer Lopez’s “Louboutins” era, and get nostalgic over Girlicious and Paradiso Girls. And did someone say Akon & David Guetta’s “Nosy Neighbor”? Oh, you know we did.

Strap in, press play, and let’s get Homophonic! 🏳️‍🌈🔥🎧

The Return of Recession Pop (with DJ John Michael)

This week on HOMOPHONIC, I’m joined by a very special guest—my brother and lead singer of Future Killer, Alex W.G. Rickel! 🎤🎸

We kick things off by venting about the evolution (or devolution?) of social media and how it’s changed the way we experience music. Then, we dive into the age-old debate: What is pop music, really? Is it a genre? A catch-all term? A sound?

And of course, no sibling episode would be complete without a trip down memory lane—reminiscing about our very first concert (Weird Al Yankovic, naturally), the golden era of TRL, and the legendary mixtapes our dad made for us as kids. His passion for music shaped who we are today, and we’re unpacking it all.

Tune in for nostalgia, music talk, and some good ol’ sibling banter! 🎶🔥

The Genre Of Pop (with Alex W.G. Rickel)

🔥 This week on HOMOPHONIC, DJ John Michael is back to break down Kendrick Lamar’s history-making Super Bowl Halftime Show! We’re diving into his next-level visuals, that legendary Samuel L. Jackson cameo, and the double standards male and female performers still face today.

But that’s not all—
🚗 We rev up for Tate McRae’s scorching new single “Sports Car”
🎶 Get into the latest banger from Bentley Robles & Zee Machine
✨ Unpack the mystery of Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra”
🎧 Give LeAnn Rimes’ underrated remixes the love they deserve
🎉 And, of course, we celebrate Janet Jackson Appreciation Day!

Halftime Show 2025

DJ John Michael returns to dive into everything Grammy Awards! Could this be the best music award show since the iconic 2009 VMAs? We cover it all—from Beyoncé and Lady Gaga to Shakira and Dave Chappelle, plus Raye and Diana Ross. Join us as we break down the winners in the Big Four categories, discuss the Best Pop Vocal Album, and get the scoop on Charli XCX’s stunning new décor. Plus, don’t miss our take on Gaga’s brand new single, “Abracadabra,” which made its magical debut alongside the official music video during the show!

ABRACADABRA:  The Magic of the 2025 Grammys (with DJ John Michael)

New year, new vibes, and a brand-new type of episode! 🎉 This week, I’m joined by a very special guest—my fabulous friend and registered dietitian, Camille Adams—to chat all things diet and nutrition. 🍎✨ I get tons of questions over on @afunctioninggay about my health and wellness journey, but let’s be real: I’m not a certified expert. That’s where Camille comes in! Together, we dive into how nutrition ties into mental health, food accessibility, and so much more. Grab a snack (healthy or not, we don’t judge) and tune in!

Everybody Eats! (with Camille Adams)

DJ John Michael returns to "Homophonic" for a much needed pop music catch-up! We kick things off with a chat about JADE’s “IT Girl,” detour to Swedish one-hit wonder Amanda, and groove through Katy Perry’s “143” and its deluxe edition’s bonus tracks. Together we also dissect Lady Gaga’s latest hits, speculate on Beyoncé’s postponed announcement, and drop takes on Madonna and Stuart Price working on new music, and Ellie Goulding’s collab with Anyma.

Pop Music Catch-Up (with DJ John Michael)

This week’s podcast is a nostalgia-packed pop extravaganza! I’m joined by Jesse Chambliss, host of Jesse’s Girls Podcast and certified pop music aficionado, as we relive the joy of discovering our favorite international popstars growing up. From the edgy charm of Fefe Dobson and The Veronicas to the glittering hits of Kylie and Dannii Minogue, we’re diving deep into the icons who shaped our playlists. Expect shoutouts to Sugababes, Girls Aloud, Mis-Teeq, Utada Hikaru, BoA, and so many more. Plus, bonus love for Christina Milian, Willa Ford, Britney Spears, and beyond. If you’re ready for a trip down memory lane with a pop-loving twist, you won’t want to miss this one! 🎤✨

International Pop Girlies (with Jesse Chambliss)

This week I am joined by upcoming electronic-dance-pop artist KYZR BLUE.  Based out of Chicago, he is a master of his craft who writes and produces all of his music from scratch.  Together we talking about everything from how he got started to his musical inspirations to what his creative process is like.  We also get  to take several moments to talk about all the pop girlies including Adele and Robyn.

Introducing Kyzr Blue

HOMOPHONIC is the brand new pop music, pop culture focused podcast by pop music meme creator, Zach Rickel, the creator behind all your favorite memes on @afunctioninggay on Instagram.  This weekly show will highlight the best of pop music both in the current pop zeitgeist as well as the past.  From favorite deep cuts and bonus tracks to obscure remixes and unreleased material to the biggest hits and the worst flops, we are covering it all here.  But just like my voice ... it's not that deep!

HOMOPHONIC

Join your host Zach Rickel, the man behind EVERYONE'S favorite pop music meme page @afunctioninggay, to discuss ALL things pop music.

Zach Rickel

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