@vinylbymars Here are five new songs that dropped TODAY that you should check out if you’re a pop music fan, including new music from RAYE and Hans Zimmer, MT Jones, MUNA, Chelsea Jordan, and Niall Horan. All of these songs and plenty more are on my Life On Mars Spotify playlist + reviews are in today’s edition of my weekly newsletter, Now Spinning. 🔗 in b!o for both! @Raye @Hans Zimmer @MT Jones @whereismuna @chelseajordan #newmusic #popmusic #musicrecommendations ♬ SWIM - BTS

🌤️ Leveling Into the Week

Chelsea Jordan’s “Level Out” slips into this weekly selection like a quiet thesis statement — a reminder that every artist highlighted here, from RAYE’s cinematic daring to MT Jones’ neo‑soul warmth, is doing exactly what her song embodies: finding balance, pushing forward, and shaping something steady out of the week’s chaos. Built with the same rise‑and‑release rhythm that defines this weekly ritual, “Level Out” mirrors the spirit of Vinyl By Mars’ curation — a lineup of artists each grounding themselves, stretching into new territory, and meeting the moment with clarity, craft, and a little earned calm.

🎶 🎧 ✨ 🎬 🎷 🌈 🎤 🎸 🪩 🔊 🌍 📀 🥁 🔊 level out - Chelsea Jordan

---

---

“You can’t knock on opportunity’s door and not be ready,” Bruno Mars once said — a sentiment that feels especially fitting this week.

Alex Mars (@vinylbymars), who happens to share both the name and the same sharp instinct for great music, delivers his personality‑driven selection of five new pop songs you need to know.

✨ A New Music Weekly Guide With Personality

Every week, Alex Mars — known online as vinylbymars — breaks down the flood of new releases with a curator’s instinct and a fan’s enthusiasm. In his latest short, he highlights five standout tracks from this week’s drop and invites listeners to dive deeper through his Life on Mars Spotify playlist. His tone is fast, warm, and informed, making the weekly ritual feel like a conversation with a friend who always knows what’s worth hearing.

👠 RAYE & Hans Zimmer: A Cinematic Collision

The first highlight is a collaboration that feels almost unreal: RAYE teaming up with Hans Zimmer. Mars describes the track as a fully realized fusion — not a superficial feature, but a genuine meeting of two artistic worlds. The song unfolds like a five‑minute mini‑film, blending Zimmer’s orchestral drama with RAYE’s vocal precision. Even the heel‑click rhythm becomes part of the storytelling. It’s the kind of release that expands what pop collaborations can be.

🎷 MT Jones: A Neo‑Soul Debut With Depth

Next, Mars spotlights MT Jones and his debut album Joy. The British newcomer moves between neo‑soul, jazz, and R&B with an ease that recalls artists like Olivia Dean or Dan West. Mars singles out “I Don’t Understand” as an instant mood‑setter — the kind of track that fills a room, whether you’re cleaning your apartment or easing into the day. It’s a debut that signals real promise and a sound already rich with identity.

🌈 MUNA: A Band Evolving in Real Time

The list continues with MUNA’s new single “So What,” a refined evolution of their signature pop sound — clever hooks, sticky melodies, and a production style that nods to mid‑2010s pop. It’s a track that shows the trio sharpening their craft while staying true to the emotional clarity that defines their best work.

🎤 Chelsea Jordan: A Rising Voice With Vintage Soul

Rising artist Chelsea Jordan also earns a spot with her new EP Better Late Than Not at All. Mars highlights her Amy Winehouse influence, audible in both vocal phrasing and production choices, and points to her growing potential after recently interviewing her in New York for his Soundtrack series. It’s the kind of project that signals an artist stepping confidently into her lane.

🎸 Niall Horan: A Warm Glimpse Into a New Era

Closing the roundup is Niall Horan’s “Dinner Party,” the title track of his upcoming album. Mars describes it as a warm, acoustic‑leaning continuation of the sound Horan refined on The Show. While not a dramatic reinvention, it offers a gentle introduction to the sonic and visual direction of his next chapter — a track that will resonate most with longtime fans and listeners who appreciate his understated pop style.

#NewMusic 🎧 #PopPulse 🌈 #FreshTracks 🔥 #WeekDiscovery 🌍