Welcome to Live From Mars, the ultimate podcast for pop music enthusiasts! Hosted by Alex, known as @vinylbymars, Live From Mars dives deep into the latest hits, hidden gems, and trending music industry news from the pop universe. Each episode blends Alex’s bold opinions, expert album reviews, artist deep dives, and insightful industry commentary to deliver a fresh, authentic take on today’s music scene. From chart-topping singles to underrated tracks, Alex brings listeners along for the ride, creating a space where music lovers can connect, discover new favorites, and explore the stories behind the sounds.
Every episode finds Alex and a mix of music creators, journalists, and songwriters dissecting current releases, exploring music trends, and sharing must-hear recommendations to elevate your playlist. Whether you’re here for the artist rankings, exclusive guest interviews, or to catch the latest music news, Live From Mars promises a pop music experience that keeps you coming back for more.
Tune in, turn it up, and let’s take off—straight from Mars to your headphones!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to Live From Mars, the ultimate podcast for pop music enthusiasts! Hosted by Alex, known as @vinylbymars, Live From Mars dives deep into the latest hits, hidden gems, and trending music industry news from the pop universe. Each episode blends Alex’s bold opinions, expert album reviews, artist deep dives, and insightful industry commentary to deliver a fresh, authentic take on today’s music scene. From chart-topping singles to underrated tracks, Alex brings listeners along for the ride, creating a space where music lovers can connect, discover new favorites, and explore the stories behind the sounds.
Every episode finds Alex and a mix of music creators, journalists, and songwriters dissecting current releases, exploring music trends, and sharing must-hear recommendations to elevate your playlist. Whether you’re here for the artist rankings, exclusive guest interviews, or to catch the latest music news, Live From Mars promises a pop music experience that keeps you coming back for more.
Tune in, turn it up, and let’s take off—straight from Mars to your headphones!
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:
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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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.