Live From Mars

Subscribe on Substack: https://vinylbymars.substack.comGrammy week is here, so I’m locking my final predictions before the votes are revealed.In the first official episode of 2026, I break down my Grammy ballot across 12 categories, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. I also compare my picks against hundreds of listener submissions from my Grammy poll to see where the internet agrees with me and where it doesn’t.This episode is all about how the Recording Academy actually votes, where narratives matter, and which categories are primed for upsets.In this episode:Final Grammy predictions across the Big FourWhy Album of the Year is a three-artist raceThe category I’m least confident aboutListener poll results vs my actual picksDark horses the Academy could surprise us withThe next episode will be a full Grammy recap reacting to the winners, performances, and biggest moments of the night. Make sure you're subscribed to the podcast to be notified when the next episode drops!Chapters01:46 Predictions for Record of the Year03:53 Album of the Year Contenders07:55 Song of the Year Insights18:19 Best New Artist Predictions19:24 The Rise of Olivia Dean and Leon Thomas20:37 Predictions for Best Pop Solo Performance22:37 Best Pop Duo/Group Performance Insights24:33 Best Pop Vocal Album Showdown27:01 Best Dance Pop Recording Predictions28:04 Best Dance Electronic Album Insights29:17 Best Remixed Recording Analysis30:38 Best Traditional Pop Album Discussion31:46 Best Music Video PredictionsFollow & support:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylbymars/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vinylbymarsLinktree: https://linktr.ee/vinylbymarsSubstack: https://vinylbymars.substack.comTo provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Live From Mars, I sit down with John Stein, Head of Editorial at Spotify, to break down Spotify Wrapped 2025 and what the year in music actually sounded like.We go behind the scenes of how Spotify Wrapped is made, how editorial teams balance streaming data with human curation, and how playlists like Discover Weekly and Fresh Finds help artists break and grow over time. John shares his 12-year journey at Spotify, how editorial has evolved, and how decisions made inside Spotify impact millions of listeners every day.We also unpack the biggest music trends of 2025, including introspective pop, album-first listening habits, country rock crossovers, masked metal artists, and why songs released in previous years continued to dominate the charts. We talk about slow-burn artists, touring as a growth engine, and how older catalog songs keep finding new life on streaming.Plus, we look ahead to 2026 music predictions, the rise of more organic sounding music in response to AI, and which albums and artists might still be talked about a decade from now.If you’ve ever wondered how Spotify decides what you hear, why Wrapped became such a massive cultural moment, or how music discovery actually works in 2025, this conversation pulls back the curtain.📲 Follow Alex MarsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylbymarsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vinylbymarsSubstack: https://vinylbymars.substack.com#SpotifyWrapped #SpotifyWrapped2025 #YearInMusic #MusicTrends2025 #SpotifyPodcast #MusicPodcast #LiveFromMars #MusicDiscovery #DiscoverWeekly #FreshFinds #StreamingMusic #PopMusic #MusicIndustry #AlbumListening #MusicTrends #MusicYouTube #PodcastInterviewTo provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Subscribe to my Substack for more pop music deep dives and unfiltered reactions: https://vinylbymars.substack.comThis week on Live From Mars, I’m joined by my good friend (and resident guy-who-screams-songs-in-the-car) Nick Palmai to finally give Miley Cyrus’ Something Beautiful the deep dive it deserved. We’re talking about why this album became my favorite of 2025, why it got such a mixed reception, and how a messy rollout and delayed visual release may have kept people from fully getting what Miley built here.What we cover in this episodeWhy Something Beautiful is one of the most underrated pop albums of 2025Our IRL story: meeting at the Something Beautiful premiere and watching the film before the album droppedThe rollout choices that helped and hurt the album (and why “End of the World” deserved way more)Why the project feels so cinematic, loud, and experimental compared to Endless Summer VacationBest Worst Fave: our picks for the best song, weakest track, and personal favorites (yes, “Golden Burning Sun” stans rise)If you enjoyed this episode, make sure you’re following the show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and if you feel like being nice today, drop a 5-star review.Follow me:Substack: https://vinylbymars.substack.comTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylbymarsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vinylbymarsLinktree: https://linktr.ee/vinylbymarsTo provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re continuing my Top 3 Albums of 2025 series with the record that kicked off the year’s biggest pop era: Lady Gaga’s Mayhem. I’m joined by two of my first internet friends, Seth and Amanda, for a full deep dive into the rollout, the tracklist chaos, Best / Worst / Fave picks, and why this album stayed in our rotation all year.If you’re looking for a Lady Gaga Mayhem review, an "Abracadabra" breakdown, Mayhem Ball reactions, or Grammys Album of the Year predictions, this episode covers all of it.Topics coveredWhy Mayhem is a Grammy Album of the Year contender"Disease" vs "Abracadabra" and how the Grammys premiere reset the eraTracklist debate, production shifts, and whether "Die With a Smile" belongs on the albumBest / Worst / Fave picks including "Perfect Celebrity", "Vanish Into You", and "How Bad Do U Want Me"Most underrated songs on MayhemTour thoughts, Mayhem Ball performances, and what Gaga should do nextGrammys 2026 predictions, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Dance Pop RecordingTimestamps00:00 - Intro and Top Albums of 2025 series setup02:37 - Seth and Amanda join the conversation05:11 - Rollout talk: "Disease" to "Abracadabra"06:09 - "Abracadabra" Grammys premiere reaction11:37 - Does "Die With a Smile" belong on Mayhem?13:30 - Tracklist debate and the two-halves album conversation16:12 - Best, Worst, and Fave picks20:30 - Why "Vanish Into You" hits and why Amanda disagrees27:30 - Most underrated songs on the album29:15 - What’s next for Gaga after Mayhem35:21 - Grammys 2026 predictions across major categories37:57 - Plugs and wrap-upFollow & support the show:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylbymarsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vinylbymarsLinktree: https://linktr.ee/vinylbymarsTo provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Subscribe to my Substack for weekly reviews, charts talk, and deep dives: https://vinylbymars.substack.comThis special end-of-year episode of Live From Mars breaks down my official list of the Top Ten Pop Albums of 2025. With every major outlet releasing their Best Albums of 2025 and Year-End Music Lists, this episode adds the perspective you will not get anywhere else. If you are searching for the real standout albums across pop, R&B, experimental pop, and Latin music, this countdown brings you the records that truly shaped the year.I walk through the projects that defined 2025, including Justin Bieber’s SWAG, PinkPantheress’ Fancy That, Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend, Lorde’s Virgin, Miley Cyrus’ Something Beautiful, Addison Rae’s Addison, Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving, Lady Gaga’s Mayhem, Bad Bunny’s DTMF, and Rosalía’s Lux, my pick for the best album of 2025. These albums pushed pop forward with bold production, unforgettable songwriting, genre-blending experimentation, and some of the strongest artistic visions of the decade.If you love year-end recaps, pop music deep dives, album reviews, or “albums of the year” content, this episode gives you everything you need in one place. These are the albums that stayed in my rotation long after release week, the ones that built full worlds and delivered the biggest musical statements of 2025.And if you want even more insight into this year’s top albums, listen to my full deep dive into Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving with HTHAZE on the podcast. It is the perfect companion to this countdown.Follow the show:TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsInstagram: https://instagram.com/vinylbymarsYouTube: https://youtube.com/@vinylbymarsSubstack: https://vinylbymars.substack.comLinktree: https://linktr.ee/vinylbymarsTo provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Substack: Get weekly music breakdowns, reviews, and unedited reaction content: https://vinylbymars.substack.comThe Top Albums of the Year series is back. After last year's run highlighted releases from Taylor Swift to Sabrina Carpenter to Charli xcx and beyond, I’m returning with a three-episode run to highlight the three albums that defined my 2025 listening experience. We’re starting with Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving, a project that continues to build her momentum and shape conversations around Album of the Year considerations.I’m joined by special guest HTHAZE, one of the most recognizable music reaction creators online and the number one music creator on Patreon, to get into why The Art of Loving stands out in this moment. We talk about how listeners first connected with Olivia, the impact of her live performances, how she has become part of the current UK-to-US artist wave, and what we hope to hear next as she heads into a new chapter.In this episode, we cover:Why The Art of Loving kicks off the Top Albums of 2025 seriesHow we each first discovered Olivia DeanWhy the live performances at Rough Trade, Brooklyn Paramount, and MSG matterBest song, worst song, and personal favesPitchfork’s score and how we would rate the albumAdele comparisons and Olivia’s place in this era of musicWhat we hope to see from album threeFollow and support the show:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylbymarsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vinylbymarsSubstack: https://vinylbymars.substack.comLink in bio: https://linktr.ee/vinylbymarsTo provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Watch my full unedited 2026 Grammy Awards nominations reaction exclusively on Substack when it goes live this Friday: https://vinylbymars.substack.comWe’re just two days away from the 2026 Grammy Awards nominations, and I’m putting my full predictions on the line. In this episode of Live From Mars, I break down who I think will get nominated across the Big Four categories — Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist — plus all the major pop fields.We cover everything:Full predictions for Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New ArtistPop Solo Performance, Pop Duo/Group Performance, Pop Vocal Album, and Dance Pop Recording predictionsWhy Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar could lead the 2026 nominationsWhich K-pop acts could break through this yearThe biggest snubs, surprises, and dark horses to watchHow Grammy eligibility actually works and what songs qualify this yearFollow Alex:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylbymarsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vinylbymarsSubstack: https://vinylbymars.substack.comLinktree: https://linktr.ee/vinylbymarsTo provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Subscribe to my Substack for exclusive full album reactions, reviews, and bonus content: https://vinylbymars.substack.comTaylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl has officially made history, selling over 4 million copies in the U.S. and 5.5 million worldwide. But did it actually live up to the hype?In this week’s episode of Live From Mars, Alex is joined by fellow Swiftie and friend of the pod, Steven Sullivan (@stevensully1), to unpack your burning questions and hot takes about Taylor’s record-breaking twelfth studio album. Together, they revisit their original predictions, debate if the “showgirl” concept worked, and discuss where Taylor goes next.We cover everything:First impressions and how opinions have evolvedWhether Showgirl delivered on its conceptThe highs and lows of the tracklistThe “Canceled” and “Eldest Daughter” discourseIf “Wood” deserves a single and Sabrina Carpenter remixGrammy predictions and what’s next for TaylorChapters:00:00 - Intro03:48 - Steven returns04:18 - Did we actually like Showgirl?10:20 - Album highs and lows17:50 - The “Showgirl” concept debate25:30 - Writing and production discussion36:10 - Did it come too soon or too late?47:20 - “Wood” and Sabrina Carpenter50:20 - Grammy predictions53:59 - Final thoughtsFollow Alex:TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsInstagram: https://instagram.com/vinylbymarsYouTube: https://youtube.com/@vinylbymarsSubstack: https://vinylbymars.substack.comLinktree: https://linktr.ee/vinylbymarsTo provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Subscribe to my Substack for exclusive full album reactions, reviews, and bonus content: https://vinylbymars.substack.comTaylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl is finally here, and it’s already breaking every record in sight. But does it actually live up to the hype?In this week’s episode of Live From Mars, Alex is joined by a friend of the pod and resident Swiftie, Seth (@dramakingbooks), to unpack Taylor’s twelfth studio album in full. Together, they break down how Showgirl stacks up against past eras, if the reunion with Max Martin and Shellback delivers, and why fans are so divided over the album.We cover everything:Track-by-track reactions and one-word reviewsWhether the “Showgirl” concept was successfulTaylor’s record-shattering first-week sales and beating Adele's decade-long recordThe most controversial lyrics and production choicesWhy “Eldest Daughter” might be her weakest Track 5 yetBest, Worst, and Fav songs from The Life of a ShowgirlChapters:00:00 - Intro04:00 - First impressions and expectations09:30 - Marketing vs. album reality17:00 - Track-by-track: “The Fate of Ophelia,” “Elizabeth Taylor,” “Opalite,” “Father Figure,” “Eldest Daughter,” and more55:00 - Final rankings and where Taylor goes nextFollow Alex:TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsInstagram: https://instagram.com/vinylbymarsYouTube: https://youtube.com/@vinylbymarsSubstack: https://vinylbymars.substack.comLinktree: https://linktr.ee/vinylbymarsTo provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m now live on Substack! Every week, I’m sharing two pop music newsletters, exclusive album reactions and written reviews, early access to all YouTube reactions, and so much more. Check it out at https://vinylbymars.substack.com/.Taylor Swift’s twelfth album The Life of a Showgirl is days away. In this episode of Live From Mars, Alex is joined by Swiftie creator Steven Sullivan to map out Taylor’s road to this era, what the Max Martin and Shellback reunion could mean, and why this release feels pivotal after The Tortured Poets Department.We cover everything: • Why Showgirl feels like a true reset after the Eras Tour and TTPD • What to expect from the Max Martin and Shellback partnership • Our hopes, fears, and bold predictions for the album • Vinyl variants, rollout choices, and how fans are reacting • First-week sales projections and awards outlook • What success looks like for the lead single and the album overallIf you’re a Taylor Swift fan, you don’t want to miss this conversation.Chapters: 00:00 — Intro + why this era feels pivotal 02:41 — Meet the guest: Steven Sullivan 05:40 — Post-Eras context and how TTPD shaped expectations 11:30 — Max Martin & Shellback: what the reunion signals 18:30 — Rollout talk: variants, promo, and strategy 34:20 — Fanbase sentiment and expectations 35:50 — Hopes, fears, bold predictions 43:50 — First-week sales projections 46:20 — Final thoughts + what comes nextTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsInstagram: http://instagram.com/vinylbymarsYouTube: https://youtube.com/@vinylbymarsLFM: https://linktr.ee/livefrommarspodSubstack: https://vinylbymars.substack.com/To provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm now live on Substack! Every week, I'm sharing two pop music newsletters, exclusive album reactions and written reviews, early access to all YouTube reactions, and so much more. Check it out at https://vinylbymars.substack.com/.Sabrina Carpenter’s seventh album Man’s Best Friend is here — just one year after Short n’ Sweet. In this episode of Live From Mars, Alex is joined by Sabrina superfan and resident expert Nick Palmai to break down the album track-by-track.We cover everything:• How Man’s Best Friend compares to Short n’ Sweet• Our first reactions and favorite tracks (“Tears,” “House Tour,” “When Did You Get Hot?”)• The hits, misses, and standout lyrics• Whether this album came too soon after Sabrina’s breakout era• Predictions for first-week numbers, surprise singles, and what comes nextIf you’re a Sabrina Carpenter fan, you don’t want to miss this deep dive.TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsInstagram: http://instagram.com/vinylbymarsYouTube: https://youtube.com/@vinylbymarsLFM: https://linktr.ee/livefrommarspodSubstack: https://vinylbymars.substack.com/To provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taylor Swift has officially announced her 12th studio album The Life of a Showgirl and I’m breaking down everything we know so far. From her surprise New Heights podcast appearance to the visuals and tracklist to the long-awaited reunion with Max Martin and Shellback, this episode dives into why TS12 feels like a turning point in her career.I’ll also cover the Sabrina Carpenter feature, whether this is a return to 1989-style pop or a brand-new reinvention, and answer your fan-submitted questions about the sound, singles, deluxe editions, and if Taylor will tour again.Plus, I’m officially launching my Substack. Free subscribers get my Now Spinning newsletter every Friday with New Music Friday highlights, while paid subscribers unlock full album reviews, uncut reaction videos, Twitch archives, exclusive interviews, and access to the Life on Mars Discord. Join at vinylbymars.substack.com.Chapters:0:00 -- Intro and Europe trip recap1:35 -- My Substack announcement7:36 -- Taylor’s "The Life of A Showgirl"21:21 -- Answering Your Taylor QuestionsSubstackSpotifyApple PodcastsTikTokInstagramYouTubeX (formerly Twitter)To provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re heading into August, which means the Grammy eligibility deadline is just around the corner. On this episode of Live From Mars, I’m breaking down the state of the 2026 Grammy race across the Big Four categories: Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist.From frontrunners like Kendrick Lamar’s GNX and Lady Gaga’s Mayhem to under-the-radar picks like Miley Cyrus and Ravyn Lenae, I walk through who’s favored to win, who deserves to be in the conversation, and who might get snubbed. I also explain the confusing eligibility rules, talk about late entries like Sabrina Carpenter’s upcoming Man’s Best Friend, and yes — I address the Alex Warren situation.Topics covered:Grammy eligibility window explainedAlbum of the Year: Kendrick vs Gaga vs the fieldRecord of the Year: Why “Luther” might sweepSong of the Year: Could Billie Eilish’s “Wildflower” surprise?Best New Artist: Is it Rosé’s year — or will someone else break through?My personal picks, hot takes, and what to watch for nextTimestamps:00:00 - Intro + Grammy eligibility timing04:20 - Album of the Year: frontrunners, dark horses, and my pick14:44 - Record of the Year: Kendrick, Gaga, Billie, and "APT"19:35 - The Alex Warren beef explained21:06 - Song of the Year: “Wildflower,” “Abracadabra,” and what’s eligible24:47 - Best New Artist: Rosé, Addison Rae, Ravyn Lenae, and moreIf you're into pop music, artist narratives, or just want to sound smart come Grammy night, this one’s for you.Follow Mars:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsInstagram: http://instagram.com/vinylbymarsYouTube: https://youtube.com/@vinylbymars/Live From Mars: https://linktr.ee/livefrommarspodTo provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Live From Mars, Alex is joined by returning guest Nick Palmai to unpack Justin Bieber’s surprise new album SWAG. From the rollout and first impressions to the features, lyrical content (or lack of it), and how this record fits into Bieber’s larger discography, they dive into everything. The album is cohesive, moody, and full of bold choices... some of which work, and some that definitely don’t.Alex and Nick debate whether SWAG is a Journals spiritual sequel, a SZA-inspired vibe album, or just a chaotic mixtape in disguise. They also get into THAT Sexyy Red feature, the confusing interludes, the Michael Jackson and Usher comparisons, and why this era of Bieber might be his most interesting yet -- even if it's not his best.Topics covered:The surprise SWAG rollout and how it caught fans off guardIs this Bieber’s Journals 2.0? Or something else entirely?The influence of SZA, Daniel Caesar, Dijon, and Carter LangStrong tracks (“Daisies,” “Walking Away,” “Devotion”) vs. weak onesSexyy Red’s feature on “Sweet Spot”Album structure: interludes, voice memos, and the overstuffed tracklistLyrical repetition and why Bieber still feels emotionally guardedThe Michael Jackson/The Weeknd comparisonsWhere this album fits in Bieber’s career and male pop in 2025Timestamps:00:00 – Intro01:28 – Welcoming Back Nick08:50 – First Impressions of SWAG16:50 – The Songwriting of SWAG21:16 – Interludes, voice notes & filler tracks28:59 – Today's Male Pop Stars34:47 – Our Favorite Tracks40:32 – SWAG's Lasting ImpactFollow me:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymars Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylbymarsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vinylbymarsNew Music Friday playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7fbLRhODukVyre2zTFMQG0?si=e9fcd379355647aeTo provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-surveyTo provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Live From Mars, Alex unpacks a massive week in pop music—from Lorde’s industrial new album Virgin, to wild moments at Glastonbury, Olivia Rodrigo album rumors, Beyoncé's floating car scare, and more. This episode combines a full review of Virgin with New Music Friday highlights and a breakdown of the week’s biggest music news.Topics covered:New Music Friday picks: Lorde’s Virgin, Jessie Murph’s “Heroin,” and RAYE & Mark Ronson’s “Grandma Calls The Boys Bad News”Full review of Lorde’s Virgin album: top tracks, themes, standout lyrics, and how it compares to Solar PowerGlastonbury moments: Charli XCX sets the Brat curtain on fire, Matty Healy takes jabs at Taylor Swift, and Lewis Capaldi returns to the stageOlivia Rodrigo’s next album: what we know (and don’t) about OR3 so farTaylor Swift’s surprise “Shake It Off” performance in NashvilleBeyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour scare in HoustonSabrina Carpenter’s album cover controversy and why she’s a marketing geniusTimestamps:00:00 – Intro01:31 – Lorde's Virgin Review14:21 – New Music Friday Highlights18:37 – Glastonbury 2025 Recap25:41 – Olivia Rodrigo's 3rd Album29:21 - Taylor Swift's Surprise Performance31:14 – Beyoncé's "16 Carriages" Car Accident32:15 – Sabrina Carpenter's New Album Cover Follow me:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylbymarsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vinylbymarsNew Music Friday playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7fbLRhODukVyre2zTFMQG0?si=e9fcd379355647aeTo provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Live From Mars, Alex shares his picks for the best songs of 2025 (so far)—including bangers from Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, SZA, Ariana Grande, and more. Plus, a quick New Music Friday recap and the chaotic rollout of Sabrina Carpenter’s surprise new album Man's Best Friend.Topics covered:Quick hits from a quiet New Music Friday: Kehlani, Mark Ronson & RAYE, Hannah JadaguSabrina Carpenter's surprise album announcement + the internet’s meltdown over the cover artAlex’s full list of the 10 best songs of 2025 (plus a bonus!)Why Abracadabra and Something Beautiful are tied for song of the yearThe comeback of fun Drake? (Yes, I'm shocked too)A case for Addison Rae and a deep cut from DjoTaylor Swift similarities, Ariana, SZA, The Weeknd, HAIM, Selena Gomez, and moreTimestamps:00:00 — Intro + Catch Up01:31 — New Music Friday Highlights06:59 — Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend Controversy13:15 — The Best Pop Songs of 2025 (So Far)Follow & support the show:Life on Mars (New Music Friday Playlist): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7fbLRhODukVyre2zTFMQG0?si=f39baf34c7754f2fListen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0V8opmfEyH3U7MJSTrsHH6Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-from-mars/id1717556594Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vinylbymarsFollow Alex on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsFollow Alex on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylbymarsTo provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Live From Mars, Alex shares one of the wildest weeks in his pop music life: going record shopping with Joe Jonas, meeting Miley Cyrus, and seeing The Weeknd’s After Hours 'Til Dawn tour. Plus, a full breakdown of Addison Rae’s surprisingly strong debut album Addison, Sabrina Carpenter’s new single “Manchild,” and an in-depth conversation with Sony Music Publishing’s SVP of A&R and Survivor 48 castaway Thomas Krottinger. From Olivia Rodrigo’s publishing journey to how artists actually get paid, this episode covers it all.Topics covered:• Addison Rae’s debut album Addison — standout tracks and whether it lives up to the hype• Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” — is this another hit or just a viral detour?• Behind the scenes of Alex’s interview and record store hang with Joe Jonas• Meeting Miley Cyrus and the story behind “Pretend You’re God”• Full concert recap of The Weeknd’s After Hours 'Til Dawn stadium tour• Interview with Thomas Krottinger: Olivia Rodrigo’s early songwriting talent, how music publishing works, why the song is the most important part of the industry, how artist deals are structured, the importance of finding a good publishing partner, and how the business has shifted post-TikTokTimestamps:00:00 - Intro & Wildest Week Ever01:29 - Addison Rae Album Reaction02:16 - Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild”04:00 - Record Shopping w/ Joe Jonas06:23 - Meeting Miley Cyrus07:43 - The Weeknd Stadium Tour Recap10:23 - Introducing Thomas Krottinger14:36 - Music Publishing 10120:14 - Signing Olivia Rodrigo26:21 - The Future of the Music Industry37:50 - Thomas' Survivor ExperienceFollow & support the show:• Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0V8opmfEyH3U7MJSTrsHH6• Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-from-mars/id1721474129• Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vinylbymars• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylbymars• Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsTo provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was one of the biggest music weeks in a long time. Taylor Swift now officially owns her masters—her first six albums are finally hers—and Miley Cyrus just dropped what I truly believe is the best album of her career. I break it all down in this week’s episode.We get into the full Taylor masters timeline, the $360M deal, what this means for the re-records, and whether Reputation (TV) is actually off the table. Plus: my review of Something Beautiful, Lorde’s raw return, and Addison Rae proving she’s more than a TikTok star.In this episode:Taylor Swift’s masters: full backstory + what happens nextMiley Cyrus Something Beautiful review + top 3 tracksLorde’s “Man of the Year” breakdownAddison Rae’s comeback with “Fame is a Gun”Chapters:00:00 - Welcome to Live From Mars02:01 - Miley Cyrus' Something Beautiful 12:44 - Addison Rae's "Fame is a Gun" 17:51 - Lorde's "Man of the Year"20:00 - Taylor Swift Buys Back Her Masters33:39 - Next Week's Sneak PeekFind me on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0V8opmfEyH3U7MJSTrsHH6Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-from-mars/id1720430294YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vinylbymarsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylbymarsX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/vinylbymarsTo provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Live From Mars, Alex (still recovering from a cold!) shares a full breakdown of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour stop in NYC — from the visuals to the vocals, the weather chaos, and why Blue Ivy might’ve stolen the show. Plus, New Music Friday highlights from Renee Rapp, Joe Jonas, and Julia Michaels.Topics covered:Renee Rapp’s bold new single “Leave Me Alone” and upcoming album Bite MeJoe Jonas’ first solo album in 14 years (Music for People Who Believe in Love) — is it worth the wait?Julia Michaels’ comeback EP Second Self and her signature clever songwritingA full review of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter stadium show, including standout moments, surprises, and why it’s a must-see tourTimestamps:00:00 - Intro & Welcome Back01:22 - Reneé Rapp's "Leave Me Alone"04:19 - Joe Jonas' Return07:15 - Julia Michaels' New EP09:34 - Cowboy Carter Dominates17:22 - Wrap Up & Sneak PeekFollow & support the show: 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5QjD6rq8H6XnF4BvMFlYVb 🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-from-mars/id1714282199 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vinylbymars 📸 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylbymars 🎵 Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsTo provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Live From Mars, I’m diving into a packed New Music Friday featuring Miley Cyrus, The Weeknd, and Calvin Harris — plus, I take you inside the Something Beautiful visual album premiere hosted by Miley and Spotify.Then I’m joined by fellow music content creator Nick Fry (@nicksmusictaste) for a chaotic and honest deep dive into the albums you called 10/10. We’re reviewing your favorite “no-skip” records and deciding which ones truly deserve the title.Episode Highlights:Miley Cyrus’ new single More to Lose + a behind-the-scenes look at her visual album eventFirst reactions to new tracks from The Weeknd, Calvin Harris, and moreMusic news: Lorde’s Ultrasound Tour, Renee Rapp’s new era, and Miley’s commercial momentGuest segment: Reviewing fan-submitted 10/10 albums — from Folklore and Melodrama to Blackout, ANTI, Renaissance, and moreChapters:00:00 - Welcome + New Music Friday rundown03:08 - Miley Cyrus Something Beautiful visual album experience & "More to Lose" reaction06:55 - New music from Calvin Harris and The Weeknd10:50 - Music news from Lorde and Renee Rapp12:00 - Guest Nick Fry joins: Reviewing Your No-Skip, 10/10 Albums44:15 - Final thoughts + where to find Nick online💬 What’s your 10/10 album? Drop a comment or tag me on TikTok/IG @vinylbymars.—🎧 Follow Live From Mars on Spotify | Apple Podcasts📲 Follow me: TikTok | Instagram | YouTube⭐️ Like the pod? Leave a 5-star review — it helps a ton!To provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.