With his latest single The Funky Martians, Guildford-based artist Zachary Mason proves once again that he’s not afraid to let imagination steer the wheel. As the second track from his forthcoming concept EP 5…4…3…2…1…, the song picks up in the middle of a bold narrative: humanity has abandoned a broken Earth in search of a new beginning on Mars. But instead of finding peace on the red planet, Mason injects humor and quirk, as settlers are confronted by a band of mischievous Martians. Through a stroke of comic luck, hostilities ease—setting the stage for an otherworldly adventure that feels equal parts theatrical and deeply musical.
Sonically, The Funky Martians is a rich melting pot of spacey psychedelia, playful experimental rock, and groove-driven rhythms. The drums, provided by Nate Barnes of Rose Hill Drive, anchor the track with muscular energy, while John Thomasson (Little Big Town) delivers a bassline that struts with attitude. Mason layers this foundation with shimmering guitar lines and cosmic textures that mirror the storytelling—turning the Martian encounter into a sonic carnival.
As a songwriter, Mason thrives on blending narrative and sound. His earlier singles like I Wish Humans Were Made In A Factory… and I’ll Get Through showcased lyrical depth, but here he embraces eccentricity, balancing sharp musicianship with lighthearted escapism. It’s a shift that underlines his versatility: a writer of brooding confessionals, but also a craftsman of playful, cinematic worlds. With The Funky Martians, Mason invites listeners to step out of orbit and lean into the weird, wonderful unknown. If the rest of 5…4…3…2…1… is as inventive, this EP could be his most distinctive statement yet—a project that proves his boundless curiosity as both a musician and storyteller.
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