Welcome to Episode 10 of Live From Mars! This week, Alex is joined by his good friend and fellow #MusicTok creator Amanda Leopizzi to kick off the most exciting week in music – Grammy week!

In this episode:

• A roundup of this week’s New Music Friday releases, including Tate McRae’s viral hit "Sports car" and Teddy Swims’ emotional new album, I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Pt. 2.
• Predictions for the biggest Grammy categories, including Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist.
• Bold takes on pop icons like Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, Beyoncé, and Billie Eilish.

Get ready for a fun and opinionated breakdown of who the Recording Academy might crown versus who truly deserves to win. Whether you’re a fan of Billie’s Hit Me Hard and Soft, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, or Taylor’s The Tortured Poets Department, there’s something for everyone in this episode.

Don’t miss Alex and Amanda’s final Grammy predictions before the big night! Be sure to follow Live From Mars on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, and subscribe to Vinyl by Mars on YouTube for more music content.

Follow Alex:

• TikTok: @VinylByMars
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• YouTube: Vinyl by Mars
• Spotify: @abm0896

Follow Amanda:

• TikTok: @AmandasPlaylist
• Instagram: @AmandasPlaylist
• YouTube: Amanda’s Playlist

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Most Anticipated New Music of 2025 (with Seth Betzler)

In this episode of Live from Mars, I’m joined by my dear friend Seth Betzler (@DramaKingVinyl, @DramaKingBooks) to kick off 2025 by discussing our most anticipated albums of the year! After a packed 2024, the music industry is set to deliver another round of incredible releases, and we’re diving into everything from confirmed drops to rumors that have us buzzing.

We explore:

• Taylor Swift’s Next Re-Records: Reputation (Taylor’s Version) and Taylor Swift (Taylor’s Version)—what to expect from the vault tracks.
• The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow: Trilogy connections, female collaborators, and the potential “end” of The Weeknd.
• Lady Gaga’s LG7: What Die with a Smile tells us about the album.
• Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus, and Lana Del Rey: Where are these artists heading next?
• Stars on the Rise: New projects from Aly & AJ, Chappell Roan, Madison Beer, and Olivia Dean.
• Rumored Returns: Olivia Rodrigo, Lorde, and more.

From pop legends to emerging voices, we cover it all in this packed episode. If you love music and want to get hyped for what’s to come, this one’s for you!

Chapters:

01:05 - Welcoming Seth and Recapping 2024’s Big Year in Music

03:48 - Taylor Swift’s Reputation and Taylor Swift (Taylor’s Version) Vault Predictions

07:45 - The Weeknd’s Hurry Up Tomorrow: Breaking Down the Trilogy

17:13 - Aly & AJ’s Silver Deliverer

25:28 - Lady Gaga’s LG7: Will It Live Up to the Hype?

30:14 - Miley Cyrus, Harry Styles, and Lana Del Rey: What’s Next?

35:45 - Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan: The Next Era

44:43 - Stars on the Rise: Madison Beer and Olivia Dean

47:32 - Wrapping Up with Lorde, Final Thoughts, and Favorites

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💬 Share your thoughts in the comments or reviews—what’s your most anticipated album of 2025?

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In this episode of Live from Mars, I’m joined by Dan Cash (@DanCashio), a social media star known for his hilarious and insightful takes on pop culture, to dive into Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine. As the fifth and final installment of my Five Favorite Albums of 2024 series, we’re closing out on a deeply personal, meticulously crafted record that deserves all the praise.

From heartbreak to healing, Eternal Sunshine captures Ariana’s evolution through divorce, new beginnings, and unmatched vocal artistry. Dan and I unpack every detail, from standout tracks to Grammy snubs and what the future holds for one of pop’s most talented stars.

We explore:

• The cinematic inspiration behind the album and its themes of memory and healing.
• Our “Best, Worst, Fav” picks: “We Can’t Be Friends,” “The Boy Is Mine,” and more.
• Ariana’s behind-the-scenes role as producer and her vocal evolution post-Wicked.
• Why the album was overlooked during a jam-packed year for pop music.
• What’s next for Ariana—could her Glinda performance influence her next era?

This episode is packed with laughter, insight, and love for an artist who continues to redefine herself. Whether you’re a die-hard Arianator or new to her music, you’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation for Eternal Sunshine.

Chapters:

01:47 - Welcoming Dan to the Podcast

04:50 - Dan’s Journey as a Creator and Pop Culture Expert

09:06 - Eternal Sunshine: Themes and Storytelling

11:26 - Best, Worst, Fav Tracks: Our Picks

16:32 - The Genius of “We Can’t Be Friends” and Ariana’s Production Skills

25:39 - Experimental Sounds and the Magic of “Imperfect for You”

30:14 - Why Critics and the Grammys Overlooked the Album

32:22 - What’s Next for Ariana Grande?

💬 Share your thoughts in the comments or reviews—what’s your favorite track from Eternal Sunshine?

👉 Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for more episodes dissecting the best albums of 2024!

Follow Mars!

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Instagram: @vinylbymars

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Spotify: Mars

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Follow Dan!

TikTok: @DanCashio

Instagram: @DanCashio

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