Live From Mars

• Is Taylor Swift’s Most Polarizing Era Aging Well? The Tortured Poets Department, One Year Later.

  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 DepartmentWhy the 31-song release may have hurt the album’s impactJack Antonoff vs. Aaron Dessner: who delivered the better production?What songs have aged well… and which we’ve forgottenFan-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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Lady Gaga’s Best Performance in a Decade? Coachella 2025 Recap + Lana, Bon Iver & More

  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 [email protected] and be part of the show.Follow Alex:TikTokInstagramYouTubeSpotify Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Miley Cyrus' "Something Beautiful" Era Begins + Ask Me Anything!

  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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Ariana Grande's "Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead" Album Review & Track-By-Track Breakdown

  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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Selena Gomez’s "I Said I Love You First": Artistic Breakthrough or Letdown?

  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?👉 Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for more deep dives on the biggest new releases in pop music!📲 Follow me for more: TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@vinylbymars Instagram: www.instagram.com/vinylbymars Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/abm0896 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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