When I last welcomed Zachary Mason here back in May with his single “Madness, Gladness”, I had a feeling he had only begun to show us what he was capable of. Today, I’m thrilled to say that my instincts were right as he has returned with “The Funky Martians”, a single that is bold, humorous, and wildly imaginative. Released in July, this song pulls us straight into Zachary Mason’s colorful universe where music isn’t just for humans, but the key to survival on Mars.
Now on his tenth single and fifteenth release overall, Zachary is far from an ordinary artist. Since 2021, he’s amassed a catalog of over 200 demos, crafting songs that dance between genres while never losing their heart. His work has caught the attention of names like Rolling Stone En Español, The Big Takeover, and SPIN Magazine, and he’s already proven himself on indie charts and in sync libraries around the world. Yet, despite the recognition, what’s most striking about Zachary is that his music never feels calculated—it feels like art born from curiosity, playfulness, and storytelling instinct.
With “The Funky Martians”, he stretches his creativity into something delightfully bizarre and musically impressive. The story itself is cinematic: a human colony lands on Mars, encounters hostile Martians, and somehow discovers that these extraterrestrial beings can be pacified with nothing other than funky music. It’s quirky, funny, and surreal, but beneath the humor lies a fascinating truth—that music has the power to connect, to calm, and to create common ground, even across galaxies.
Sonically, this track is a feast. From the start, the production sets a spacey, psychedelic tone with guitars soaked in effects that shimmer and warp like signals bouncing through the cosmos. The bass, courtesy of Little Big Town’s John Thomasson, is irresistibly funky, anchoring the track with groove and swagger. Nate Barnes (Rose Hill Drive) brings the drums to life with crisp, energetic playing that keeps the song tight while leaving plenty of room for experimentation. Together, they provide a rich, professional backbone that elevates Zachary’s imaginative concept into something listeners can really move to.
What I, as a listener, love most is Zachary himself on this track. He slips into multiple characters with his vocals, using clever effects to distinguish the narrator, the Martians, and the colonists. There’s an almost theatrical quality to his delivery, making it feel like part rock opera, part psychedelic radio drama. Yet, even amidst the characters and quirks, his natural voice shines through; warm, playful, and inviting. It’s clear he’s having fun here, and that joy translates beautifully into the listening experience.
The production is crisp and colorful, balancing clarity with experimentation. Every instrument has its place, yet there’s a looseness that makes the track breathe, a sense that we’re on a freewheeling journey through Zachary’s creative cosmos. Psychedelic rock, space rock, and experimental tones weave together seamlessly, creating an atmosphere that’s both groovy and otherworldly.
“The Funky Martians” is not just a single; it’s the gateway into Zachary’s upcoming three-track EP, 5…4…3…2…1…, which promises more of this playful yet profound spirit. If this track is any indication, we are in for a fun and thought-provoking ride.
For me, this release reaffirms what I felt when I first encountered Zachary: he’s not here to follow trends or box himself into one genre; he’s here to create worlds, to tell stories, and to remind us that music can be as weird, wonderful, and expansive as our imaginations will allow. And in a time where so much music feels predictable, that is something worth celebrating.
Listen to “The Funky Martians” on Spotify
Follow Zachary Mason here for more information
