Live From Mars

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 breakdownMaroon 5’s “Priceless” ft. LISA + the problem with empty K-pop collabsJorja Smith’s “The Way I Love You” rave momentCharli XCX’s Brat Tour finale reviewSelena Gomez & Benny Blanco’s deluxe: standout tracks + what’s workingLorde’s new album Virgin + early success of “What Was That”Song of the Summer 2025: Why it’s wide openDeep Dive: Gaga’s Copacabana concert — impact, scale, and streaming liftChapters/Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome + What’s Coming This Episode02:05 – Ed Sheeran’s “Old Phone” + Album Rollout06:20 – Maroon 5’s “Priceless” ft. LISA09:35 – Jorja Smith’s “The Way I Love You”12:45 – Charli XCX’s BRAT Tour Finale (Brooklyn)15:20 – Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco Deluxe Reactions19:05 – Lorde’s “What Was That” + VIRGIN Announcement21:30 – Song of the Summer 2025 Rundown23:50 – Deep Dive: Lady Gaga at Copacabana Beach26:10 – Final Thoughts + What’s Coming Next WeekFollow Live From Mars: https://linktr.ee/livefrommarspodFollow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsFollow on Instagram: https://instagram.com/vinylbymarsFollow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/abm0896

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 rankingStreaming performance of Lorde’s new single so farNew Music Friday picks: Benson Boone’s Mystical Magical, Samia’s Carousel, Joe Jonas’ Heart by HeartThe Katy Perry Lifetimes Tour controversy and execution critiquesSabrina Carpenter’s mini-Eras energy on tourBeyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour: what low ticket sales tell us about the future of pop iconsThe future of live touring after the Eras Tour phenomenonChapters / Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome + Personal Intro (100K celebration)01:30 – New Music Friday Intro02:00 – Lorde’s What Was That Review09:00 – Ranking Lorde’s Lead Singles12:30 – New Music Friday Highlights (Joe Jonas, Benson Boone, Samia)17:30 – Deep Dive: Touring After the Eras Tour19:30 – Katy Perry’s Lifetimes Tour Critiques22:00 – Sabrina Carpenter and Dua Lipa Touring Strategies25:00 – Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour and Touring ReflectionLike what you hear?Make sure you’re following Live From Mars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen!If you enjoyed the episode, leave a 5-star rating or review — it helps the show grow and keeps the conversations going.Stay connected:TikTok: @vinylbymarsInstagram: @vinylbymarsYouTube: VinylByMarsSpotify Playlists: Follow here

One year later, we’re revisiting Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department in an unfiltered deep dive into its rollout, reception, and legacy. Was the double album drop a mistake? Which songs still hit hardest? And how does it stack up in Taylor’s discography today?I’m joined by viral Swiftie and returning guest Nick Palmai (@nickpalmai) to break it all down — from our dream rollout (with trailers + music video concepts) to the songs we’ve grown to love (or skip). Whether you’re a die-hard Swiftie or still on the fence about TTPD, this episode has something for you.We discuss: The one-year anniversary of Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department Why the 31-song release may have hurt the album’s impact Jack Antonoff vs. Aaron Dessner: who delivered the better production? What songs have aged well… and which we’ve forgotten Fan-submitted questions: Grammy nominations, visuals, and moreChapters:00:00 — Intro & Nick returns03:00 — What the release night felt like06:30 — Has the album aged well?10:15 — Our dream rollout strategy (and a music video multiverse)18:45 — Jack Antonoff vs. Aaron Dessner moments24:00 — What songs grew on us most27:45 — Should TTPD have been nominated for AOTY?31:30 — Cut one track from the album34:30 — Best/Worst/Fave picks39:30 — Final thoughts: what’s stuck with us after a yearLISTENER QUESTION:What’s your Best/Worst/Fav song picks on The Tortured Poets Department? Has your opinion changed in the past year?Follow Alex:TikTokInstagramYouTubeSpotify

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 PowerNext 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 vinylbymars@gmail.com and be part of the show.Follow Alex:TikTokInstagramYouTubeSpotify

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!  In this episode: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 farIs 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.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction01:58 - Record Store Day Tips & Tricks05:27 - When to Release a Song of the Summer Contender10:31 - Miley Cyrus' "Something Beautiful"15:23 - Ed Sheeran's "Azizam"18:12 - Djo's "The Crux"21:15 - Ask Mars Anything26:01 - The State of VinylTok in 202529:00 - Two No-Skip Albums34:08 - Taylor Swift's 2025 ReleasesChime 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.Follow Alex: TikTok | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify

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 far5 years of Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia + the surprise release of the “Physical” Remix ft. Troye SivanLana Del Rey teasing her mysterious 10th studio album The Right Person Will StaySelena 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:TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsInstagram: www.instagram.com/vinylbymarsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/abm0896 💬 Drop your AMA questions via IG poll, broadcast channel, or comments!