After the rapturous response to his 'Axel Stallion' LP last year, Spanish artist Lower Mars is back on the grind once again to deliver his expanded 'Myths Edition' version of the release.
Developing the original ten-single collection to double its original track length, the Myths Edition of 'Axel Stallion' brings a broader and more immersive approach to his innovative aesthetic. With its sprawling electronics perfectly elevating his distinctive vocals throughout, he is certainly looking to turn plenty of heads with this one.
So with the new album available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I love strings. There’s just something about them—the way they vibrate, the way they can be so delicate yet dramatic. Cello was probably my first love. But if we’re being honest, the voice is probably the most fascinating instrument to work with. It’s unpredictable, it cracks, it breaks, it soars—it’s got drama, and I love that.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Mariah Carey, hands down. I was playing Habbo Hotel, listening to Obsessed on repeat, while my sister had Eminem blasting in the background. (laughs) It was a war zone. But yeah, R&B-pop was my thing. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill & Rockferry by Duffy were masterpieces.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Okay, this is kind of hilarious, but the first album I really remember owning was Hypnotique by Martin Denny. And not because I was some sophisticated little kid obsessed with exotica music—no, no. There was this music store where you could scan a barcode and preview songs with these headphones. I found a bunch of Martin Denny albums on sale, scanned one, and was like, wait… this is kind of fire? I ended up taking three home and even did a whole presentation on him in music class. I was probably the only 12-year-old out there pushing a Martin Denny agenda.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
This is a really tough one… I think music comes from such a personal place that it’s tricky to say, “I wish I had written that” when you don’t really know where it came from—does that make sense? Like, when I write my own songs, they’re built from my own experiences, or at least some part of them. So, as much as I admire certain songs, I don’t think I’d trade their stories for my own.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I love streaming music I’m obsessed with and getting lost in a bunch of references—not just music, but images, films, anything that sparks something. Even if it has nothing to do with music, it helps the ideas flow. But I actually avoid having strict rituals. What if one day they stop working? I’d just be sitting there, frustrated, waiting for some magic to happen. And that’s the fastest way to a creative block.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’ve been streaming Eusexua by FKA Twigs so badly. Like, I lowkey wanna shave my head and get a braid or something—just fully commit to the vibe (laughs). But yeah, I love her style, the way she makes music feel so free and playful. She’s an icon. Also, Amaia’s Si abro los ojos no es real has been on repeat. And hmm… Dafodil by Kelsey Lu and Jamie XX has me in a chokehold too.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I’d say Björk. Not just because she’s Björk, but also because imagine the art direction—I could just exist in that world for a night. But beyond that, she feels like a mother to me. She’s opened so many doors in such unexpected ways. Without her, I genuinely don’t think art pop would be as boundless as it is today. She made weirdness feel like home.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I love getting messages from random people—like, someone from who-knows-where in the world finds a song of mine out of nowhere, and suddenly, they’re on my wave. They start following my path, diving into my music… It’s wild to think something I made in my own little bubble can travel so far and connect with someone I’ve never met. That feeling is surreal.
And what is the most frustrating part?
There are definitely a few things. In my world of Lower Mars, I’m always trying to blur the line between industry-backed artists and independent artists. I want everything to feel big—like there were a hundred hands involved in the making when in reality, it’s just me figuring it out (laughs). But yeah, that comes with a lot of closed doors. There are spaces you just can’t access without the industry behind you, and that sucks. One of the hardest parts is not being able to collaborate with artists you admire because of all these invisible rules—standards, politics, whatever. Art should be more open.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned—especially during this Axel Stallion journey—is to create because it comes from inside you, not because it might make you famous. Fame is so relative, and honestly, it can be really destructive in the easiest way. The moment you start making music for numbers, for revenue, for some kind of external validation, it becomes frustrating. Expectations in music are probably the hardest thing to handle. So yeah, stay grounded. Stay in your world.
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Lower Mars' new album 'Axel Stallion: Myths Edition' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.