Live From Mars

Watch my full unedited 2026 Grammy Awards nominations reaction exclusively on Substack when it goes live this Friday: https://vinylbymars.substack.comWe’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 ArtistPop Solo Performance, Pop Duo/Group Performance, Pop Vocal Album, and Dance Pop Recording predictionsWhy Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar could lead the 2026 nominationsWhich K-pop acts could break through this yearThe biggest snubs, surprises, and dark horses to watchHow Grammy eligibility actually works and what songs qualify this yearFollow Alex:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylbymarsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vinylbymarsSubstack: https://vinylbymars.substack.comLinktree: https://linktr.ee/vinylbymars

Subscribe to my Substack for exclusive full album reactions, reviews, and bonus content: https://vinylbymars.substack.comTaylor 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 evolvedWhether Showgirl delivered on its conceptThe highs and lows of the tracklistThe “Canceled” and “Eldest Daughter” discourseIf “Wood” deserves a single and Sabrina Carpenter remixGrammy predictions and what’s next for TaylorChapters:00:00 - Intro03:48 - Steven returns04:18 - Did we actually like Showgirl?10:20 - Album highs and lows17:50 - The “Showgirl” concept debate25:30 - Writing and production discussion36:10 - Did it come too soon or too late?47:20 - “Wood” and Sabrina Carpenter50:20 - Grammy predictions53:59 - Final thoughtsFollow Alex:TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsInstagram: https://instagram.com/vinylbymarsYouTube: https://youtube.com/@vinylbymarsSubstack: https://vinylbymars.substack.comLinktree: https://linktr.ee/vinylbymars

Subscribe to my Substack for exclusive full album reactions, reviews, and bonus content: https://vinylbymars.substack.comTaylor 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 reviewsWhether the “Showgirl” concept was successfulTaylor’s record-shattering first-week sales and beating Adele's decade-long recordThe most controversial lyrics and production choicesWhy “Eldest Daughter” might be her weakest Track 5 yetBest, Worst, and Fav songs from The Life of a ShowgirlChapters:00:00 - Intro04:00 - First impressions and expectations09:30 - Marketing vs. album reality17:00 - Track-by-track: “The Fate of Ophelia,” “Elizabeth Taylor,” “Opalite,” “Father Figure,” “Eldest Daughter,” and more55:00 - Final rankings and where Taylor goes nextFollow Alex:TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsInstagram: https://instagram.com/vinylbymarsYouTube: https://youtube.com/@vinylbymarsSubstack: https://vinylbymars.substack.comLinktree: https://linktr.ee/vinylbymars

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 overallIf 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 nextTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsInstagram: http://instagram.com/vinylbymarsYouTube: https://youtube.com/@vinylbymarsLFM: https://linktr.ee/livefrommarspodSubstack: https://vinylbymars.substack.com/

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 recap1:35 -- My Substack announcement7:36 -- Taylor’s "The Life of A Showgirl"21:21 -- Answering Your Taylor QuestionsSubstackSpotifyApple PodcastsTikTokInstagramYouTubeX (formerly Twitter)

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 explainedAlbum of the Year: Kendrick vs Gaga vs the fieldRecord of the Year: Why “Luther” might sweepSong 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 nextTimestamps:00:00 - Intro + Grammy eligibility timing04:20 - Album of the Year: frontrunners, dark horses, and my pick14:44 - Record of the Year: Kendrick, Gaga, Billie, and "APT"19:35 - The Alex Warren beef explained21:06 - Song of the Year: “Wildflower,” “Abracadabra,” and what’s eligible24:47 - Best New Artist: Rosé, Addison Rae, Ravyn Lenae, and moreIf you're into pop music, artist narratives, or just want to sound smart come Grammy night, this one’s for you.Follow Mars:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsInstagram: http://instagram.com/vinylbymarsYouTube: https://youtube.com/@vinylbymars/Live From Mars: https://linktr.ee/livefrommarspod

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 guardIs this Bieber’s Journals 2.0? Or something else entirely?The influence of SZA, Daniel Caesar, Dijon, and Carter LangStrong tracks (“Daisies,” “Walking Away,” “Devotion”) vs. weak onesSexyy Red’s feature on “Sweet Spot”Album structure: interludes, voice memos, and the overstuffed tracklistLyrical repetition and why Bieber still feels emotionally guardedThe Michael Jackson/The Weeknd comparisonsWhere this album fits in Bieber’s career and male pop in 2025Timestamps:00:00 – Intro01:28 – Welcoming Back Nick08:50 – First Impressions of SWAG16:50 – The Songwriting of SWAG21:16 – Interludes, voice notes & filler tracks28:59 – Today's Male Pop Stars34:47 – Our Favorite Tracks40:32 – SWAG's Lasting ImpactFollow me:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymars Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylbymarsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vinylbymarsNew Music Friday playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7fbLRhODukVyre2zTFMQG0?si=e9fcd379355647aeTo provide feedback, please fill out this survey: http://bit.ly/livefrommars-survey

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 PowerGlastonbury moments: Charli XCX sets the Brat curtain on fire, Matty Healy takes jabs at Taylor Swift, and Lewis Capaldi returns to the stageOlivia Rodrigo’s next album: what we know (and don’t) about OR3 so farTaylor Swift’s surprise “Shake It Off” performance in NashvilleBeyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour scare in HoustonSabrina Carpenter’s album cover controversy and why she’s a marketing geniusTimestamps:00:00 – Intro01:31 – Lorde's Virgin Review14:21 – New Music Friday Highlights18:37 – Glastonbury 2025 Recap25:41 – Olivia Rodrigo's 3rd Album29:21 - Taylor Swift's Surprise Performance31:14 – Beyoncé's "16 Carriages" Car Accident32:15 – Sabrina Carpenter's New Album Cover Follow me:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymarsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylbymarsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vinylbymarsNew Music Friday playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7fbLRhODukVyre2zTFMQG0?si=e9fcd379355647ae