When Funk Saves the Galaxy: Zachary Mason’s “The Funky Martians” Lands with a Groove That Ends All Space Wars

Editorial Board
4 days ago
1 min read

An interplanetary groove that saves the day with rhythm and wit.

“The Funky Martians” by Zachary Mason lands with playful narrative flair, blending retro sci-fi storytelling with a crisp rock foundation.

The track opens with a springy, reverb guitar line reminiscent of XTC’s new-wave era, immediately setting a buoyant tone. Mason’s vocal delivery is half-sung, half-narrated like a storyteller caught between a cosmic emergency and a dancefloor revelation.

Steady drums keep the groove grounded while bright synths shimmer through the chorus, giving the track its alien charm. The production embraces imperfection, an intentional looseness that fits the song’s humor: a young astronaut accidentally saves humanity not with weapons, but with funk rock.

The solo section, carried by a gliding synth lead, cements the song’s title in sound form, playful, space-oddly and irresistibly catchy.

Part of Mason’s album 5…4…3…2…1, this single feels like a short story disguised as a rock jam, equal parts Douglas Adams and Devo. “The Funky Martians” doesn’t just tell you to dance; it shows you how an accidental groove can stop a war.