🔥 Welcome back to B-Side Banter! 🔥 In Episode 26, I’m joined by Alex Mars—better known as Vinyl by Mars, one of the top voices in pop music commentary across TikTok, Instagram, and Substack.

We dive deep into:

🎶 Taylor Swift’s upcoming album The Life of a Showgirl — will her return to Max Martin & Shellback mark another 1989-level era?

🎶 The rise of Gen Z pop girlies (Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, Chapel Roan, and more) — are they reshaping the landscape of modern pop?

🎶 Justin Bieber’s surprise R&B project Swag — how Dijon and McGee’s influence might be bigger than Bieber himself.

🎶 Vinyl culture, the comeback of physical music, and how Gen Z is fueling it.

🎶 Plus: Alex’s 5 must-listen albums and his personal Mount Rushmore of pop artists.

If you love music reviews, industry deep dives, and cultural conversations, you’re in the right place. Hit that LIKE & SUBSCRIBE button, and let us know in the comments: Which new pop artist are you most excited about right now?

🔥 Erika is here for B-Side Banter Ep. 26, and she’s bringing the HEAT with some of the hottest music opinions you’ll hear all year.

We dive into her love for Pink Floyd, The Strokes, and Arctic Monkeys, her obsession with Lana Del Rey & Björk, and her very strong feelings about Alex Warren, Addison Rae, Sabrina Carpenter, and Noah Kahan. From arguing why older music hits harder to picking 5 albums everyone must hear, this episode is a rollercoaster of music nostalgia, bold opinions, and hilarious tangents.

💬 Agree or disagree with Erika’s takes? Drop your hottest music opinion in the comments!

In this episode of B-Side Banter, Tyler interviews Joe Donnelly, a music reviewer known for his engaging content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Joe shares his journey from radio to creating music review videos, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in music criticism.

They discuss the reactions to Joe's ranking videos, particularly those on Radiohead and Pink Floyd, and the challenges of engaging with passionate fanbases.

The conversation also touches on the cultural impact of Charlie XCX's 'Brat' album, the legacy of Ozzy Osbourne, and the vibrant state of Irish music today. Joe highlights emerging Irish artists and the balance between discovering new music while appreciating classic favorites.