Afleveringen
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Matt Hansen joins Live From Mars for an emotional deep dive into his debut album Orchid, the songwriting experiences that shaped it, and the realities of building a music career completely independently.
Matt opens up about going from posting covers in parking garages during COVID to becoming one of the internet’s fastest-rising independent artists with over a billion streams worldwide. Alex and Matt discuss emotional songwriting, social media burnout, creative freedom, therapy, heartbreak, healing, and why Orchid feels like the first project that truly tells his story.
They also break down the pressure of virality, transitioning fans from covers to original music, the cinematic influence of Coldplay and Hans Zimmer, and the meaning behind songs like “Let Em Go,” “Yellowstone,” and the album’s title track.
Topics covered:
• The story behind Matt Hansen’s debut album Orchid
• How TikTok changed his life and music career
• Building an audience independently without a label
• The emotional process behind songwriting and healing
• Why “Let Em Go” changed everything for him
• Coldplay’s influence on his music and production style
• Learning to separate artistry from analytics and virality
• The importance of emotional maturity in songwriting
• Why happiness felt scary after years of sad songs
• What Matt hopes to learn from the Orchid era
Follow Matt Hansen:
Spotify: Matt Hansen
Instagram/TikTok: @matthansenmusic
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The Grammys are officially wrapped, and we’re breaking down everything that happened the night after music’s biggest show. In this episode of Live From Mars, Alex is joined by returning guest and fan-favorite Amanda Leopizzi to recap the biggest wins, surprise losses, standout performances, and the moments everyone is still talking about.
We dive into Bad Bunny’s historic Album of the Year win, Olivia Dean taking Best New Artist, Billie Eilish’s controversial Song of the Year victory for “Wildflower,” and why Sabrina Carpenter walked away empty-handed. We also talk through Lady Gaga’s pop vocal win, Kendrick Lamar’s continued dominance, and the evolving relevance of award shows in today’s music landscape.
Beyond the trophies, we get into the cultural and political moments from the night, social media reactions across platforms, and how fan discourse is shaping the narrative around artists in real time. To close things out, we look ahead to the 2027 Grammys and start calling early contenders across pop, country, and alternative.
In this episode:
• Biggest winners and snubs of the 2026 Grammys
• Best New Artist performances and medley highlights
• The Billie Eilish eligibility debate
• Lady Gaga vs. Bad Bunny Album of the Year conversation
• Social media reactions and fan culture shifts
• Early 2027 Grammy predictions
• Best and worst moments of the night
Follow me:
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Grammy 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 Year
03:53 Album of the Year Contenders
07:55 Song of the Year Insights
18:19 Best New Artist Predictions
19:24 The Rise of Olivia Dean and Leon Thomas
20:37 Predictions for Best Pop Solo Performance
22:37 Best Pop Duo/Group Performance Insights
24:33 Best Pop Vocal Album Showdown
27:01 Best Dance Pop Recording Predictions
28:04 Best Dance Electronic Album Insights
29:17 Best Remixed Recording Analysis
30:38 Best Traditional Pop Album Discussion
31:46 Best Music Video Predictions
Follow & support:
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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 Mars
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Substack: https://vinylbymars.substack.com
#SpotifyWrapped #SpotifyWrapped2025 #YearInMusic #MusicTrends2025 #SpotifyPodcast #MusicPodcast #LiveFromMars #MusicDiscovery #DiscoverWeekly #FreshFinds #StreamingMusic #PopMusic #MusicIndustry #AlbumListening #MusicTrends #MusicYouTube #PodcastInterview
To provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey
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Subscribe to my Substack for more pop music deep dives and unfiltered reactions: https://vinylbymars.substack.com
This 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 episode
Why 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.com
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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 covered
Why 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 RecordingTimestamps
00:00 - Intro and Top Albums of 2025 series setup
02:37 - Seth and Amanda join the conversation
05:11 - Rollout talk: "Disease" to "Abracadabra"
06:09 - "Abracadabra" Grammys premiere reaction
11:37 - Does "Die With a Smile" belong on Mayhem?
13:30 - Tracklist debate and the two-halves album conversation
16:12 - Best, Worst, and Fave picks
20:30 - Why "Vanish Into You" hits and why Amanda disagrees
27:30 - Most underrated songs on the album
29:15 - What’s next for Gaga after Mayhem
35:21 - Grammys 2026 predictions across major categories
37:57 - Plugs and wrap-up
Follow & support the show:
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Subscribe to my Substack for weekly reviews, charts talk, and deep dives: https://vinylbymars.substack.com
This 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:
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Substack: Get weekly music breakdowns, reviews, and unedited reaction content: https://vinylbymars.substack.com
The 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
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Watch my full unedited 2026 Grammy Awards nominations reaction exclusively on Substack when it goes live this Friday: https://vinylbymars.substack.com
We’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/@vinylbymars
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylbymars
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vinylbymars
Substack: https://vinylbymars.substack.com
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/vinylbymars
To provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey
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Subscribe to my Substack for exclusive full album reactions, reviews, and bonus content: https://vinylbymars.substack.com
Taylor 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 - Intro
03:48 - Steven returns
04:18 - Did we actually like Showgirl?
10:20 - Album highs and lows
17:50 - The “Showgirl” concept debate
25:30 - Writing and production discussion
36:10 - Did it come too soon or too late?
47:20 - “Wood” and Sabrina Carpenter
50:20 - Grammy predictions
53:59 - Final thoughts
Follow Alex:
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@vinylbymars
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Substack: https://vinylbymars.substack.com
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/vinylbymars
To provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey
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Subscribe to my Substack for exclusive full album reactions, reviews, and bonus content: https://vinylbymars.substack.com
Taylor 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 - Intro
04:00 - First impressions and expectations
09:30 - Marketing vs. album reality
17:00 - Track-by-track: “The Fate of Ophelia,” “Elizabeth Taylor,” “Opalite,” “Father Figure,” “Eldest Daughter,” and more
55:00 - Final rankings and where Taylor goes next
Follow 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
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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 overall
If 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 next
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymars
Instagram: http://instagram.com/vinylbymars
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@vinylbymars
LFM: https://linktr.ee/livefrommarspod
Substack: https://vinylbymars.substack.com/
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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 next
If you’re a Sabrina Carpenter fan, you don’t want to miss this deep dive.
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymars
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LFM: https://linktr.ee/livefrommarspod
Substack: https://vinylbymars.substack.com/
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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 recap
1:35 -- My Substack announcement
7:36 -- Taylor’s "The Life of A Showgirl"
21:21 -- Answering Your Taylor Questions
Substack
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
TikTok
Instagram
YouTube
X (formerly Twitter)
To provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey
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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 timing
04:20 - Album of the Year: frontrunners, dark horses, and my pick
14:44 - Record of the Year: Kendrick, Gaga, Billie, and "APT"
19:35 - The Alex Warren beef explained
21:06 - Song of the Year: “Wildflower,” “Abracadabra,” and what’s eligible
24:47 - Best New Artist: Rosé, Addison Rae, Ravyn Lenae, and more
If 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
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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 – Intro
01:28 – Welcoming Back Nick
08:50 – First Impressions of SWAG
16:50 – The Songwriting of SWAG
21:16 – Interludes, voice notes & filler tracks
28:59 – Today's Male Pop Stars
34:47 – Our Favorite Tracks
40:32 – SWAG's Lasting Impact
Follow 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-survey
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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 – Intro
01:31 – Lorde's Virgin Review
14:21 – New Music Friday Highlights
18:37 – Glastonbury 2025 Recap
25:41 – Olivia Rodrigo's 3rd Album
29:21 - Taylor Swift's Surprise Performance
31:14 – Beyoncé's "16 Carriages" Car Accident
32:15 – Sabrina Carpenter's New Album Cover
Follow me:
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylbymars
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vinylbymars
New Music Friday playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7fbLRhODukVyre2zTFMQG0?si=e9fcd379355647ae
To provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey
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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 Up
01:31 — New Music Friday Highlights
06:59 — Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend Controversy
13:15 — 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=f39baf34c7754f2f
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0V8opmfEyH3U7MJSTrsHH6
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-from-mars/id1717556594
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vinylbymars
Follow Alex on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymars
Follow Alex on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylbymars
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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-TikTok
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro & Wildest Week Ever
01:29 - Addison Rae Album Reaction
02:16 - Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild”
04:00 - Record Shopping w/ Joe Jonas
06:23 - Meeting Miley Cyrus
07:43 - The Weeknd Stadium Tour Recap
10:23 - Introducing Thomas Krottinger
14:36 - Music Publishing 101
20:14 - Signing Olivia Rodrigo
26:21 - The Future of the Music Industry
37:50 - Thomas' Survivor Experience
Follow & 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/@vinylbymars
To provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey
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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.
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