Zachary Mason - “The Funky Martians” ~ A Groove Landing That’s Out of This World!

Back in May, we called Zachary Mason an “emotional shapeshifter”, a songwriter who could drift through chaos like mist in "Madness Gladness", leaving us quietly devastated in the best way. Now, just a few months later, Mason has swapped the spectral haze for a technicolor launchpad, proving that his gift for storytelling isn’t bound to one mood or genre. With "The Funky Martians", the Guildford-based artist blasts from dreamlike melancholy into full-blown sci-fi funk opera, carrying the same imaginative spark but firing it through a prism of humor, groove, and theatrical charm. This track is like the disco ball itself, hurtling through space, and Mason’s inviting us along for the ride!

Zachary Mason

It’s always refreshing when an artist decides not just to step outside the box, but to launch themselves and the box into orbit. Zachary Mason’s upcoming three-track EP - 5…4…3…2…1… is exactly that kind of project - a quirky, playful, and sonically adventurous ride that proves you can be both a storyteller and a groove-maker without losing either edge. The second track, “The Funky Martians” (released July 25th, 2025), is the EP’s brightly-colored flagship and is a funk-infused, sci-fi rock escapade that’s as much a short story as it is a song. You don’t just listen to this one, you watch it in your head. And like any good space adventure, it starts with a landing. A colony ship touches down on Mars. At first, the red planet feels eerily deserted… until its inhabitants appear on the horizon, angry and seemingly ready for interplanetary war. The fate of the humans hangs in the balance until, by sheer accident, salvation comes not from diplomacy or firepower, but from a wrong button pressed by a twitchy crewmember named Johnny. Instead of arming a weapon, Johnny switches on the radio… and funk music fills the Martian air. What happens next is pure absurdist joy: the Martians drop their hostility, start grooving, and a peace treaty is effectively signed on the dancefloor. By the final verse, the humans have settled in, the Martians are still partying, and the only real threat is a colony-wide case of musical burnout. This is where Mason’s creativity truly shines. His voice becomes a cast of characters, namely a deep, processed “spaceship announcer” as narrator, hissing alien voices for the Martians, and some human tones for the colonists. Every delivery is steeped in theatrical charm, somewhere between vintage radio drama and Bowie-esque character work. The lyrics are delightfully literal yet tongue-in-cheek, telling the story with the kind of campy sincerity that invites repeat listens just to savor the absurd details. The track struts on a steady, staccato guitar riff that feels half-retro rock, half-space-age funk. John Thomasson (Little Big Town) supplies basslines that bounce with effortless cool, while Nate Barnes (Rose Hill Drive) brings sharp, energetic drumming that keeps the whole production lively and danceable. Mason dresses the rhythm section in psychedelic guitar textures and shimmering effects, adding a cosmic gloss without letting the groove lose its earthbound punch.

Zachary Mason

If you’ve heard Mason’s earlier “Madness Gladness,” a dreamy, understated slice of dreampop, you might be surprised by the sheer swagger of “The Funky Martians.” As for the rest of 5…4…3…2…1…, details remain under wraps, but if this track is any indicator, the EP will be a small but potent universe of wit, groove, and sonic experimentation. But for now, this one's a blend that lands somewhere between Frank Zappa’s humor, Parliament-Funkadelic’s groove, and Douglas Adams’ whimsical sci-fi. Whether you’re here for the groove, the story, or just the sheer joy of imagining Martians busting moves under a glittering space disco ball, "The Funky Martians" is three and a half minutes of pure, playful escapism you’ll want on repeat. Zachary Mason is throwing the best party in the galaxy. Do yourself (and interplanetary peace) a favor, cue it up, turn it loud, and let the funk land. Listen below!

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Listen to "The Funky Martians" on #Spotify below -

You can check out and follow Zachary Mason’s musical journey on his website here: https://zacharymasonmusic.com