Lana Del Rey, Lady Gaga, Charli XCX, and Bon Iver—oh my. This week on Live From Mars, Alex (aka Mars, aka @vinylbymars) dives into the biggest moments from Coachella 2025 and the best of New Music Friday. From Lana’s orchestral country pivot to Gaga’s career-defining headlining set, it’s a full-on pop culture breakdown you don’t want to miss.

In this episode:

• Lana Del Rey’s “Henry, come on” — a sweeping, poetic Americana ballad and the mysterious unraveling of her next album.

• Bon Iver returns with SABLE, fABLE — a two-part album that blends indie folk with R&B, and is a worthwhile return to the Bon Iver we all fell in love with.

• Lady Gaga’s Coachella set stuns the world — theatrical, gothic, unhinged in the best way. Is this her best performance in over a decade?

• Charli XCX brings Brat to the desert with surprise guests Billie Eilish, Lorde, and Troye Sivan — and ends her set with a powerful, vulnerable message.

• Plus, underrated song picks from Humble the Great, Talia Rae, and a Crux check-in with Djo.

If you’re a pop fan, festival lover, or just here for the cultural tea, this is your recap of the week!

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to Live from Mars and Coachella Highlights

00:57 - New Music Friday: Lana Del Rey’s “Henry, come on”

06:55 - Bon Iver’s Return: SABLE, fABLE Review

10:30 - Coachella Highlights: Lady Gaga & Charli XCX

13:04 - Lady Gaga’s Career-Best Performance?

20:32 - Charli XCX’s Raw Minimalist Power

Next week: A special Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department anniversary episode is coming, and Alex wants your voice memos. Got a hot take or burning question? Email [email protected] and be part of the show.

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This week’s Live From Mars is packed! Alex (aka Mars, aka @vinylbymars on TikTok and Instagram) dives into the latest New Music Friday releases, breaks down the perfect release timing for a potential Song of the Summer, and answers your AMA questions in celebration of hitting 100,000 followers on TikTok! 

• Miley Cyrus returns with Prelude, Something Beautiful, and End of the World—is she entering another avant-garde era?
• Joe Keery (yes, Steve Harrington from Stranger Things) drops a stunning new album under Djo—why The Crux feels like his most emotional work yet.
• Ed Sheeran's back with Azizam and a brand new concept era—what we think of “Play” so far
• Is April the best month to drop a Song of the Summer? A deep dive into past hits, new contenders (Drake, Sabrina Carpenter, Miley), and streaming trends.
• Your ultimate Record Store Day 2025 guide—what to know, how to prep, and the top releases to hunt for.
• A special Ask Me Anything segment tackling his most anticipated concerts of 2025, the truth about VinylTok in 2025, no-skip albums, what's next for Taylor Swift in 2025, and more!

Whether you're here for chart talk, new releases, or getting to know Alex better, this episode is your one-stop shop for all things pop.

00:00 - Introduction

01:58 - Record Store Day Tips & Tricks

05:27 - When to Release a Song of the Summer Contender

10:31 - Miley Cyrus' "Something Beautiful"

15:23 - Ed Sheeran's "Azizam"

18:12 - Djo's "The Crux"

21:15 - Ask Mars Anything

26:01 - The State of VinylTok in 2025

29:00 - Two No-Skip Albums

34:08 - Taylor Swift's 2025 Releases

Chime in! What’s your pick for 2025’s song of the summer? What are you planning to grab on Record Store Day? Drop a comment and let Alex know.

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We did it — 100,000 followers on TikTok. A huge milestone, a huge thank you, and a huge episode to match.

This week on Live From Mars, Alex reflects on the journey from faceless vinyl recs to full-blown music commentary, the wildness of hitting six figures in followers, and what’s coming next for the show (spoiler: it’s an AMA — so send those questions in!).

Then we dive into a chart update packed with surprises — including a historic week for Kendrick & SZA, massive first-week numbers for Playboi Carti, and unexpected success from Gaga and Chappell Roan.

But the real star of the episode? Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead. With five brand-new songs and one extended version, this release just might solidify Eternal Sunshine as the best album of her career. From “Twilight Zone” to “Dandelion,” Alex unpacks every moment — vocally, emotionally, and sonically.

In this episode, we cover:

• Hitting 100K followers & Alex's view on the journey to Mars so far
• 5 years of Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia + the surprise release of the “Physical” Remix ft. Troye Sivan
• Lana Del Rey teasing her mysterious 10th studio album The Right Person Will Stay
• Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco’s chart battle vs. Playboi Carti (and what their last-minute sales push says about the industry)
• Ariana Grande’s eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead – track-by-track breakdown, production details, emotional growth, and why “Twilight Zone” strikes such emotional and nostalgic chords with listeners

📲 Follow me for more:

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

 💬 Drop your AMA questions via IG poll, broadcast channel, or comments!

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In this episode of Live from Mars, I’m breaking down the biggest stories in pop this week — from Kendrick Lamar dominating the charts to Lady Gaga’s Mayhem debuting at No. 1. But the spotlight is on Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s new album I Said I Love You First, and we’ve got a lot to unpack.

We explore:

• Billboard Chart Highlights – Why Kendrick is the name all over the Hot 100 and how Gaga just tied Janet Jackson for most No. 1 albums.

• Mayhem by Lady Gaga – A breakdown of the album’s chart success, the Grammy conversation, and why “Abracadabra” might be her ticket to Record and Song of the Year nominations.

• New Music Friday Picks – Jack Harlow & Doja Cat, Jonas Brothers, and Jon Bellion — the tracks worth your time.

• Selena & Benny’s Joint Album – A deep dive into I Said I Love You First: the love story, vocal production issues, and whether it lives up to the hype.

• Top Tracks from the Album – Why “Bluest Flame” and “Don’t Wanna Cry” are the standouts and what Charli XCX’s involvement adds to the mix.

• The Vision Debate – Why this album plays it a little too safe and what it tells us about Selena’s current artistic confidence.

• What’s Next in Pop – Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead and the rising buzz around Miley Cyrus’ Something Beautiful.

From personal milestones to massive releases, we’re diving into it all. Is I Said I Love You First a step forward for Selena Gomez? Or is she still playing it too safe? Let’s get into it.

💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments! Did I Said I Love You First surprise you — or were the singles a red flag?

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How much do artists really make from streaming? Spotify just paid out $10 billion in 2024, but where does that money go—and is streaming actually sustainable for artists? In this episode of Live From Mars, Alex (@vinylbymars) sits down with Sam Duboff, Spotify for Artists’ Global Head of Marketing & Policy, to break down the newly released 2024 Loud&Clear report and what it means for artists, streaming, and the music industry.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Truth About Streaming Royalties – How artists actually get paid (no, there’s no fixed per-stream rate)
• The Rise of Independent Artists – Why 50% of Spotify’s payouts go to indie and DIY musicians
• Superfans Are the Future – The 2% of listeners who generate 50% of merch sales
• The Globalization of Music – How international collaborations are reshaping the industry
• What’s Next for Streaming? – The comeback of music videos, new artist tools, and more

Plus, we dive into Lady Gaga’s Mayhem, the magic of Charli xcx and Lorde’s “Girl, so confusing remix,” and play Best, Worst, Fav with Lorde’s Melodrama.

Read the full Loud&Clear report: spotify.com/loudandclear

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• TikTok & Instagram: @vinylbymars | https://www.instagram.com/vinylbymars
• Listen to Live From Mars on Apple Podcasts
• Listen to Live From Mars on Spotify
• Subscribe on YouTube

Subscribe, rate, and follow for more deep dives into music, streaming, and the industry’s biggest topics.

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Lady Gaga’s new album Mayhem is here, and we’re breaking it all down! In this episode of Live From Mars, I’m joined by Seth Betzler for a deep dive into Lady Gaga’s 2025 return to pop.

We dive into the road to this moment—how Chromatica left its mark, Gaga’s jazz era with Tony Bennett, the fallout from Joker 2, and the unexpected smash success of Die with a Smile. Plus, we unpack the Mayhem rollout: Did Disease truly serve as the “lead” single? How did Abracadabra’s massive Grammy premiere change the game? And why does the album’s grunge-inspired aesthetic not quite match the genre-blending sound Gaga delivered?

Then, it’s time for a track-by-track breakdown—analyzing every song, from the industrial grit of Disease and Perfect Celebrity to the euphoric highs of Vanish Into You and Zombie Boy. And of course, we wrap things up with Best, Worst, Fav—choosing the best song, the weakest track, and our personal favorites from Mayhem.

Is Mayhem a defining moment in Lady Gaga’s career, or just another unexpected pivot? Let’s talk about it.

🎧 Listen now and let us know your thoughts on Mayhem!

📲 Follow Alex: @vinylbymars on TikTok | Instagram

📲 Follow Seth: @dramakingvinyl on TikTok | Instagram, @dramakingbooks on TikTok | Instagram

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In this episode of Live from Mars, I’m joined by my dear friend Amanda (@amandasplaylist) to break down Tate McRae’s new album So Close to What. After my initial reaction stirred up some strong opinions, we’re diving deep into what makes this album work, where it falls short, and how Tate’s evolution as an artist impacts her place in pop music today.

We explore:

• Tate McRae’s Career Evolution – From You Broke Me First to Greedy and So Close to What, has she finally found her sound?

• Best & Worst Songs – Why Sports Car, Two Hands, and Purple Lace Bra stand out, and which tracks miss the mark.

• Tate as a Performer First – How her strength in dance and live performance shapes her music choices.

• Production & Songwriting – Does So Close to What push pop forward, or does it play it too safe?

• Where She Stands Among Pop’s Biggest Names – How Tate compares to Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Dua Lipa, and more.

• Hot Takes & Fan Reactions – What the album means to different listeners and why pop music hits differently for everyone.

From viral TikTok hits to her future in pop, we’re unpacking it all. Did So Close to What live up to the hype? Or is Tate still searching for her signature sound? Let’s discuss.

👉 Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for more deep dives on the biggest new releases in pop music!

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TikTok | Instagram | YouTube → @vinylbymars

Amanda: @amandasplaylist on TikTok & Instagram

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In this episode of Live from Mars, Alex (@vinylbymars) is joined by Seth Betzler (@dramakingbooks, @dramakingvinyl) to break down the best releases from this week's New Music Friday! With Valentine's Day as the backdrop, we discuss new music filled with love, humor, and surprises.

This week, we're diving into Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Short n’ Sweet (Deluxe)’, analyzing the standout tracks like ‘15 Minutes’, a clever mix of humor and wordplay, and ‘Please Please Please’ featuring Dolly Parton, a fun, yet divisive remix. We also explore the melodic similarities between ‘Couldn’t Make It Any Harder’ and ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You’, Sabrina’s Sandy-inspired aesthetic, and why Busy Woman feels like the clear hit.

We also dive into SZA’s ‘LANA’ Deluxe, analyzing her strategy of releasing additional music nearly two years after SOS, and how this creates a "living, breathing" album experience. We contrast this with Sabrina’s six-month deluxe drop and discuss the different purposes deluxe albums serve in today’s streaming era.

Plus, we talk about Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco’s surprise album announcement, the newly released ‘Scared of Loving You’, and Selena’s unexpected return to music despite previously hinting at stepping away. We also break down new singles from Addison Rae (‘High Fashion’), Bon Iver (‘Everything Is Peaceful Love’), and Olivia Dean’s ‘It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be’ for the Bridget Jones soundtrack.

🎧 Listen now and let us know your favorite tracks from this week!

Topics Covered:

• Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Short n’ Sweet (Deluxe)’ – The best new tracks and why ‘15 Minutes’ and Busy Woman stand out
• SZA’s ‘LANA’ – A breakdown of the four new songs and how this deluxe release strategy differs from Sabrina’s
• Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco’s album announcement – What ‘Scared of Loving You’ tells us about the project
• Addison Rae’s ‘High Fashion’ – Where she fits in today’s pop music landscape
• Bon Iver’s ‘Everything Is Peaceful Love’ – A rare happy and optimistic Bon Iver track
• Olivia Dean’s ‘It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be’ – Why we love her sound but want to see her push into new territory

Where to Listen:

Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major streaming platforms. Don’t forget to rate and review!

Follow Us:

🎶 @vinylbymars (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube)

📚 @dramakingbooks / @dramakingvinyl (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube)

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In this episode of Live from Mars, Alex (@vinylbymars) is joined by Will (@willtalksmusic) to dive into all things Kendrick Lamar at the Super Bowl Halftime Show. They break down Kendrick’s career leading up to this moment, analyze the standout moments from the performance—including his powerful collaboration with SZA—and, most importantly, discuss the explosive impact of Not Like Us being performed in front of 120+ million viewers. This diss track, fresh off winning Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the Grammys, solidified Kendrick’s dominance over Drake in their ongoing feud, and Alex and Will break down why this moment was so monumental.

Beyond Kendrick’s performance, they explore the deeper political and artistic messaging behind the set, from Samuel L. Jackson’s role as Uncle Sam to the striking visual storytelling. They also touch on Taylor Swift’s undeniable presence at the Super Bowl and how she continues to be part of the cultural conversation, even when she’s not on the stage.

After dissecting the halftime show, Alex and Will shift gears to discuss who should headline the Super Bowl in 2026. They debate potential contenders, from pop icons to hip-hop powerhouses, and throw in some wild card picks. Finally, Will shares his latest music recommendations, giving listeners insight into the albums and songs that have been on repeat for him.

Topics Covered:

• Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show: performance highlights and deeper meanings
• The impact of Not Like Us being performed on such a massive stage and its role in Kendrick vs. Drake
• The artistry and messaging behind Kendrick’s set
• Taylor Swift’s presence at the Super Bowl and her cultural influence
• Who should headline the 2026 Super Bowl?
• Will’s latest music recommendations

Where to Listen:

Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major streaming platforms. Don’t forget to rate and review!

Follow Us:

• @vinylbymars (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube)
• @willtalksmusic (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Twitch)

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This week, Alex is joined once again by his good friend and fellow #MusicTok creator Amanda Leopizzi to break down everything that went down at the 2025 Grammy Awards. From historic wins to shocking snubs, this episode covers all the biggest moments of music’s biggest night.

In this episode:

• Biggest wins & surprises – Beyoncé finally wins Album of the Year, Kendrick Lamar sweeps Record & Song of the Year, and Chappell Roan takes Best New Artist.

• The biggest snubs of the night – Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish walk away empty-handed.

• Best performances of the night – Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, RAYE, Doechii, and the Best New Artist showcase.

• The Weeknd’s return to the Grammys – After years of boycotting, what does his performance mean for next year’s awards?

• Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra” premiere – Is Fame Monster-era Gaga officially back?

• Records broken & major milestones – Bruno Mars extends his Grammy-winning streak, Doechii makes history in rap, and more!

Did the Recording Academy get it right? Or did your favorites get snubbed? This episode is filled with bold takes, heated debates, and plenty of Grammy hot takes!

Who was your biggest winner of the night? Leave a comment.

🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the NOTIFICATION BELL to stay updated with all things Live From Mars!

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