Mars | 5ive Songs

1. YUNGBLUD, “mars”

💿 weird! • 🏷 Locomotion Recordings / Interscope • 📅 2020

Alternative musician 🎙 YUNGBLUD (Dominic Harrison) is ‘one of a kind’ – understatement.  What’s really cool about him is his absolute fearlessness.  Musically, he’s quite aggressive, bringing ample punch.  As a person, he’s unafraid to push the envelope, constantly challenging conformity.  🎵 “Mars” appears as a highlight from his sophomore album, 💿 weird!. “Mars” was written by YUNGBLUD and 🎙 Matt Schwartz, while it’s produced by a team comprised of 🎼 ✍ Mike Crossey, 🎼 ✍ Chris Greatti, 🎼 ✍ Zakk Cervini, and 🎼 ✍ Omer Fedi.  The songwriting is notable, as Harrison imparts the tale of a transgender girl looking for acceptance, particularly from her parents.

Harrison highlights her struggles throughout the song.  On the first verse, he asserts, “But she can’t be herself when she’s somebody else.”  On the second, he sings, “Yeah, her Mum and Dad, they couldn’t understand / Why she couldn’t turn it off, become a better man.” He goes on to sing on the chorus her desires to “go to California / There everyone would adore her,” given the progressiveness of the state.  The chorus, is simple but nothing short of awesome as he asks, “Is there any life on Mars?” The first thing that comes to mind given the title, chorus lyrics, and the bombastic nature of this song? David Bowie, of course, which is clearly intentional. YUNGBLUD’s progressive spirit shines bright on “Mars.” The beautiful message of the song is nothing short of awesome.  All boxes are checked off: production, songwriting, and vocals.

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2. Mario, “Mars”

💿 Closer to Mars (EP) • 🏷 New Citizen • 📅 2020

Once upon a time, 🎙 Mario (Mario Barrett) had quite a successful run in contemporary R&B.  Like so many of his contemporaries, after a while, well, his most lucrative period waned.  Nonetheless, independently, Barrett has still dropped music including the single at hand, 🎵 “Mars,” from the EP, 💿Closer to Mars.  “Mars features silky smooth production (🎛 Ronnie Jackson, 🎛 Daniel Bryant, and 🎛 Philip Lynah) that’s idiomatic of contemporary R&B, but also has a foot in the door of the past.

Beyond the backdrop itself, Mario shines.  He has an awesome melody to work with, characterized by its rhythmic nature and tunefulness.  Furthermore, Barrett matches the smoothness of the production with his refined, silky smooth, nuanced vocals; he sings with incredible expression.  The moments he shows off his falsetto are excellent.  The song has little to do with the fourth planet in our solar system, but it covers a relatable, ultra-popular topic: the bedroom.   Essentially, a different sort of rocket is launched! Memorable songwriting, particularly on the chorus, finds Barrett telling us exactly what’s going down on this trip to Mars.

3. Chevelle, “Mars Simula”

💿 NIRATIAS • 🏷 Epic • 📅 2021

“Hypnotic travelers, drift until lost / No sign of Earth now, just endless stars.” 🎵 “Mars Simula” appears as the third track on 💿 NIRATIAS, the 2021 studio album by veteran rock collective, 🎙 Chevelle.  NIRATIAS features a theme related to space prominently.  The song at hand naturally fits the mold.

Musically, there’s plenty to sink one’s teeth into.  The driving, distorted guitars are at the top of the list.  Gotta heart those riffs and the high energy created by the backdrop.  Furthermore, 🎙 Peter Loeffler serves up aggressive, assertive vocals.  He has some fine lyrics to work with, though the key lyrics, hailing from the chorus, keep it pretty simple: “I’m on my way to Mars. ” The post-chorus – a bridge of sorts – is quite epic.  Perhaps even more than most of the song, the energy level is off the charts. Overall, “Mars Simula” rocks incredibly hard.

4. Alexander 23, “Mars”

💿 I’m Sorry I Love You (EP) • 🏷 Interscope • 📅 2019

“I tried to give you the world, but you wanted Mars too,” 🎙 Alexander 23 (Alexander Glantz) sings on 🎵 “Mars.” He goes on to add, “No one who I could’ve been was good enough for you.” Woo! “Mars” appears as the fourth track on his 2019 EP, 💿 I’m Sorry I Love You.  Mars, as part of the solar system, unsurprisingly, has little to with song.  A23 is focused on matters of the heart… L-O-V-E…

“Mars” features a relatively slow tempo but maintains a steady groove. Alexander 23 shows off his upper register, singing expressively.  Even so, it’s the lyrics – particularly the profane ones – that stand out the most (“You say, ‘I love you,’ but it don’t mean shit” and “I don’t hate you, I just hate that you were mine to lose / And I fucked it up forever”).  The production (Glanz too) is lovely but nothing too crazy – more minimal than maximal. The potent ‘chorus’ is definitely the main attraction of this ‘red planet’ tune.

5. Jay Sean, “Mars”

Ft. Rick Ross

💿 Neon • 🏷 Republic • 📅 2013

Contemporary R&B artist 🎙 Jay Sean has a brief run in the U.S., mostly thanks to a number one hit single, “Down.” Unfortunately, Sean never captured the same degree of success, even with his terrific single 🎵 “Mars,” which hails from his 2013 album, 💿 Neon. “Mars” was easily the best moments from Neon, which as a whole, found Sean experiencing some artistic identity issues and lacking outright hits. Exemplary of R&B ala 2013, “Mars” felt like a perfect fit.

Here, Jay is as ‘high as a kite,’ exhibiting a stoner vibe perfectly.

“I’m so high
I’m wasted, I don’t wanna come down
Let me take you to Mars girl
We’ll make love on a star girl...”

Yep, trees have been smoked.  Oh, and as for featured guest 🎙 Rick Ross, he’s right at home spitting bars on the third verse. There aren’t any scientific specifics about the red planet, but who cares? Faded, making love – it’s a vibe man!

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