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

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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 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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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 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

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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:

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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
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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

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📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.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.

—

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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

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This week on Live From Mars, we’re breaking down Lorde’s long-awaited return with her new single What Was That — how it fits into her discography, its early success, and why it has fans divided. Plus, I’m sharing quick reactions to other New Music Friday standouts including Benson Boone, Samia, and Joe Jonas.

Then for our deep dive, we explore how the touring landscape has shifted post-Eras Tour, including the early controversy around Katy Perry’s Lifetimes Tour, Sabrina Carpenter and Dua Lipa’s evolving strategies, and a critical look at Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour launch.

Where do pop concerts go from here — and is Beyoncé too legendary to be relatable?

Topics covered in this episode:

• Lorde's What Was That review + lead single ranking
• Streaming performance of Lorde’s new single so far
• New Music Friday picks: Benson Boone’s Mystical Magical, Samia’s Carousel, Joe Jonas’ Heart by Heart
• The Katy Perry Lifetimes Tour controversy and execution critiques
• Sabrina Carpenter’s mini-Eras energy on tour
• Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour: what low ticket sales tell us about the future of pop icons
• The future of live touring after the Eras Tour phenomenon

Chapters / Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome + Personal Intro (100K celebration)

01:30 – New Music Friday Intro

02:00 – Lorde’s What Was That Review

09:00 – Ranking Lorde’s Lead Singles

12:30 – New Music Friday Highlights (Joe Jonas, Benson Boone, Samia)

17:30 – Deep Dive: Touring After the Eras Tour

19:30 – Katy Perry’s Lifetimes Tour Critiques

22:00 – Sabrina Carpenter and Dua Lipa Touring Strategies

25:00 – Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour and Touring Reflection

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