Aisha Harris

Let's hear a little bit.

It is also incorporating so many of the moment pop inflections, the kind of speak-singy passages, the way the music drops out for those last couple of dramatic words.

She's a pastiche artist, and I mean that not as a criticism.

but sort of just as a commentary of what she's all about.

She is operating off of a pretty deep catalog of influences.

Her first couple records evoke not only Taylor Swift, but famously bands like Paramore.

The first song from the record, Drop Dead, is...

name checks just like heaven by the cure so you know she's got a very very savvy team i think she's a really interesting artist i think she's really really really good at what she does this particular song has kind of already gotten its hooks in me even as i clench my teeth at some of the speak singing of it all it's still kind of swoony and magical and like i said man this summer this is it this is our summer to thrive i can just feel it

The surreal melodrama Mother Mary stars Anne Hathaway as a Gaga-esque pop star facing an existential crisis.

And so she turns to her former costume designer and estranged friend, played by Michaela Cole,

to find herself again.

The movie's tagline warns us that this is not a love story and it's not a ghost story, but there is some complicated love and there might be a ghost.

So what is it exactly?

I'm not sure about that, but at least there's one thing that's for sure.

This is a visual marvel to behold.

I'm Ayesha Harris, and today we're talking about Mother Mary on Pop Culture Happy Hour from NPR.

Joining me today is NPR producer Mark Rivers.

Hello, Mark.

Great to have you.

And also with us is Sydney Madden.