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

Follow Mars!

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

Linktree

Follow Seth!

Books Instagram

Books TikTok

Vinyl Instagram

Vinyl TikTok

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

👉 Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for more episodes exploring the best of music and pop culture!

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

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!

TikTok: @vinylbymars

Instagram: @vinylbymars

YouTube: @vinylbymars

Spotify: Mars

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/vinylbymars

Follow Dan!

TikTok: @DanCashio

Instagram: @DanCashio

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

In this episode of Live from Mars, I’m joined by Sam Murphy (@PopSamCam), music critic and pop culture commentator, to dive deep into my pick for the best album of 2024—Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft.

Billie’s latest album delivers emotional depth, sonic surprises, and career-defining moments, from haunting ballads to bold electronic experiments. Sam and I break down the tracks, themes, and Grammy buzz surrounding this unforgettable record.

We explore:

• Standout tracks like “Birds of a Feather,” “Wildflower,” and “CHIHIRO.”
• Our “Best, Worst, Fav” picks—and why this album’s 10-track format hits harder.
• Billie’s artistic growth, genre shifts, and vocal evolution.
• The album’s impact on 2024’s pop landscape and what’s next for Billie.
• Grammy predictions—can Billie sweep with Hit Me Hard and Soft?

Whether you’re a longtime Billie fan or just discovering her music, this episode unpacks why Hit Me Hard and Soft deserves its praise—and why it’s my personal Album of the Year.

Chapters:

01:47 - Welcoming Sam to the Podcast

03:53 - Sam’s Journey as a Music Critic and Content Creator

07:46 - Why This Album Resonated with Us

11:22 - Best, Worst, Fav Tracks: Our Picks

16:32 - Quality Over Quantity: The 10-Track Format Debate

20:29 - The Sonic Universe of Hit Me Hard and Soft

27:23 - What’s Next for Billie Eilish?

30:08 - Grammy Predictions—Can Billie Take It All?

💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments or reviews—what’s your favorite track from Hit Me Hard and Soft?

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

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