Guildford’s own Zachary Mason blasts off into the cosmos with his new EP 5…4…3…2…1…, a clever and thought-provoking three-track project that captures humanity’s escape from a dying Earth and its uncertain attempt to start anew on Mars. Blending space rock, psychedelic textures, and experimental flourishes, Mason turns a sci-fi concept into something surprisingly human — reflective, funny, and just a little tragic.
The title track, 5…4…3…2…1…, sets the scene for liftoff. It’s a kaleidoscope of swirling guitars, pulsing bass, and Mason’s introspective vocals that teeter between urgency and melancholy. The production — handled with finesse by Derrick Lin — gives the song a cinematic atmosphere, almost like watching the countdown to humanity’s final chance at survival. Nate Barnes’s drumming (of Rose Hill Drive fame) injects the track with drive and momentum, grounding Mason’s spacey vision with a solid rock backbone. Then comes The Funky Martians — the EP’s most playful entry. Here, Mason lets his humor run wild, mixing vintage synth lines with quirky rhythms and a sense of interplanetary mischief. There’s a touch of Bowie in space mode in this one — experimental but irresistibly catchy, showing Mason’s knack for blending storytelling and groove.
The closer, Earthsick, brings everything back down to emotional reality. After the chaos and adventure of Mars, the track reflects on loss and nostalgia for the world left behind. Its slower pace and ethereal soundscape capture regret and longing, a fitting finale to an imaginative journey. With 5…4…3…2…1…, Zachary Mason cements himself as one of the UK’s most intriguing independent artists — bold, versatile, and unafraid to explore the space between satire and sincerity.
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