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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#SpotifyWrapped #SpotifyWrapped2025 #YearInMusic #MusicTrends2025 #SpotifyPodcast #MusicPodcast #LiveFromMars #MusicDiscovery #DiscoverWeekly #FreshFinds #StreamingMusic #PopMusic #MusicIndustry #AlbumListening #MusicTrends #MusicYouTube #PodcastInterview

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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 2025
• Our IRL story: meeting at the Something Beautiful premiere and watching the film before the album dropped
• The 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 Vacation
• Best 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.

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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 era
• Tracklist debate, production shifts, and whether "Die With a Smile" belongs on the album
• Best / Worst / Fave picks including "Perfect Celebrity", "Vanish Into You", and "How Bad Do U Want Me"
• Most underrated songs on Mayhem
• Tour thoughts, Mayhem Ball performances, and what Gaga should do next
• Grammys 2026 predictions, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Dance Pop Recording

Timestamps

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

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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.

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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 series
• How we each first discovered Olivia Dean
• Why the live performances at Rough Trade, Brooklyn Paramount, and MSG matter
• Best song, worst song, and personal faves
• Pitchfork’s score and how we would rate the album
• Adele comparisons and Olivia’s place in this era of music
• What we hope to see from album three

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• Link in bio: https://linktr.ee/vinylbymars

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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 Artist
• Pop Solo Performance, Pop Duo/Group Performance, Pop Vocal Album, and Dance Pop Recording predictions
• Why Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar could lead the 2026 nominations
• Which K-pop acts could break through this year
• The biggest snubs, surprises, and dark horses to watch
• How Grammy eligibility actually works and what songs qualify this year

Follow Alex:

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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 evolved
• Whether Showgirl delivered on its concept
• The highs and lows of the tracklist
• The “Canceled” and “Eldest Daughter” discourse
• If “Wood” deserves a single and Sabrina Carpenter remix
• Grammy predictions and what’s next for Taylor

Chapters:

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:

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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 reviews
• Whether the “Showgirl” concept was successful
• Taylor’s record-shattering first-week sales and beating Adele's decade-long record
• The most controversial lyrics and production choices
• Why “Eldest Daughter” might be her weakest Track 5 yet
• Best, Worst, and Fav songs from The Life of a Showgirl

Chapters:

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:

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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

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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.

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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)

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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 explained
• Album of the Year: Kendrick vs Gaga vs the field
• Record of the Year: Why “Luther” might sweep
• Song 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 next

Timestamps:

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.

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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 guard
• Is this Bieber’s Journals 2.0? Or something else entirely?
• The influence of SZA, Daniel Caesar, Dijon, and Carter Lang
• Strong tracks (“Daisies,” “Walking Away,” “Devotion”) vs. weak ones
• Sexyy Red’s feature on “Sweet Spot”
• Album structure: interludes, voice memos, and the overstuffed tracklist
• Lyrical repetition and why Bieber still feels emotionally guarded
• The Michael Jackson/The Weeknd comparisons
• Where this album fits in Bieber’s career and male pop in 2025

Timestamps:

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:

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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

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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 Power
• Glastonbury moments: Charli XCX sets the Brat curtain on fire, Matty Healy takes jabs at Taylor Swift, and Lewis Capaldi returns to the stage
• Olivia Rodrigo’s next album: what we know (and don’t) about OR3 so far
• Taylor Swift’s surprise “Shake It Off” performance in Nashville
• Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour scare in Houston
• Sabrina Carpenter’s album cover controversy and why she’s a marketing genius

Timestamps:

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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New Music Friday playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7fbLRhODukVyre2zTFMQG0?si=e9fcd379355647ae

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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 Jadagu
• Sabrina Carpenter's surprise album announcement + the internet’s meltdown over the cover art
• Alex’s full list of the 10 best songs of 2025 (plus a bonus!)
• Why Abracadabra and Something Beautiful are tied for song of the year
• The comeback of fun Drake? (Yes, I'm shocked too)
• A case for Addison Rae and a deep cut from Djo
• Taylor Swift similarities, Ariana, SZA, The Weeknd, HAIM, Selena Gomez, and more

Timestamps:

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

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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

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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 next
• Miley Cyrus Something Beautiful review + top 3 tracks
• Lorde’s “Man of the Year” breakdown
• Addison Rae’s comeback with “Fame is a Gun”

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Welcome to Live From Mars
• 02:01 - 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 Masters
• 33:39 - Next Week's Sneak Peek

Find me on:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0V8opmfEyH3U7MJSTrsHH6
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/live-from-mars/id1720430294
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vinylbymars
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymars
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylbymars
• X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/vinylbymars

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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 Me
• Joe 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 songwriting
• A full review of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter stadium show, including standout moments, surprises, and why it’s a must-see tour

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro & Welcome Back

01:22 - Reneé Rapp's "Leave Me Alone"

04:19 - Joe Jonas' Return

07:15 - Julia Michaels' New EP

09:34 - Cowboy Carter Dominates

17:22 - Wrap Up & Sneak Peek

Follow & 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/@vinylbymars

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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 event
• First reactions to new tracks from The Weeknd, Calvin Harris, and more
• Music news: Lorde’s Ultrasound Tour, Renee Rapp’s new era, and Miley’s commercial moment
• Guest segment: Reviewing fan-submitted 10/10 albums — from Folklore and Melodrama to Blackout, ANTI, Renaissance, and more

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome + New Music Friday rundown

03:08 - Miley Cyrus Something Beautiful visual album experience & "More to Lose" reaction

06:55 - New music from Calvin Harris and The Weeknd

10:50 - Music news from Lorde and Renee Rapp

12:00 - Guest Nick Fry joins: Reviewing Your No-Skip, 10/10 Albums

44:15 - 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

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This week on Live From Mars, I’m breaking down Ed Sheeran’s nostalgic new single “Old Phone,” the issue with his long promo campaign, and why Maroon 5’s “Priceless” featuring LISA left me completely underwhelmed. Plus, Jorja Smith enters her rave era, and I share thoughts on the final leg of Charli XCX’s Brat Tour in Brooklyn—my first time seeing her live.

I also unpack the deluxe edition of Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco’s I Said I Loved You First, Lorde’s Virgin album reveal and streaming stats for “What Was That,” and why the Song of the Summer race feels unusually stale in 2025.

For the deep dive, we talk everything Lady Gaga and her record-breaking Copacabana Beach performance: the setlist, Brazilian cultural tributes, her evolving confidence since Coachella, and the massive post-show spike across her entire catalog.

Topics covered in this episode:

• Ed Sheeran’s “Old Phone” + Play rollout breakdown
• Maroon 5’s “Priceless” ft. LISA + the problem with empty K-pop collabs
• Jorja Smith’s “The Way I Love You” rave moment
• Charli XCX’s Brat Tour finale review
• Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco’s deluxe: standout tracks + what’s working
• Lorde’s new album Virgin + early success of “What Was That”
• Song of the Summer 2025: Why it’s wide open
• Deep Dive: Gaga’s Copacabana concert — impact, scale, and streaming lift

Chapters/Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome + What’s Coming This Episode

02:05 – Ed Sheeran’s “Old Phone” + Album Rollout

06:20 – Maroon 5’s “Priceless” ft. LISA

09:35 – Jorja Smith’s “The Way I Love You”

12:45 – Charli XCX’s BRAT Tour Finale (Brooklyn)

15:20 – Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco Deluxe Reactions

19:05 – Lorde’s “What Was That” + VIRGIN Announcement

21:30 – Song of the Summer 2025 Rundown

23:50 – Deep Dive: Lady Gaga at Copacabana Beach

26:10 – Final Thoughts + What’s Coming Next Week

Follow Live From Mars: https://linktr.ee/livefrommarspod

Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymars

Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.com/vinylbymars

Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/abm0896

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