Martyrs - Luminism (2024) Hi-Res

The first single from Martyrs’ forthcoming album ‘Luminism’ was released on Friday April 12th. ‘Sunset Thinking’ is a melodic, anthemic depiction of the struggles many of us face in overcoming mental health issues. It’s more fun than that sounds. Promise.

Follow-up single ‘Where Did You Go?’ is a horror story set to a disco beat, layered with horns, synth and unsettling party vibes. Out Friday May 3rd. The album ‘Luminism’, out Friday May 10th:

Martyrs explained their new recordings: “What would yacht rock sound like if you made it at home instead of at a multi-million dollar studio?” The answer we came up with is what you hear on this record. It delves into a deeply personal swirl of nostalgia and reminiscence on a wave of bright, shiny synth and ‘80s guitar: We revisit a lost New York on the rose-tinted ‘One Mile House’, recall our reckless youth with the pure pop of ‘We Were In Gold’ and remember the heyday of the Minneapolis pro wrestling scene on piano ballad ‘Death of the Territories’. Elsewhere there’s the soul-inspired sound of optimistic protest on ‘Shadows’ and a disco depiction of addiction on ‘Get Out Of My Head’. It’s a weird album now that I’m seeing it all written down, but we think it’s pretty good.

We hope in these songs you’ll hear the hum of old TV station idents, the buzz of FM radio; see the light reflecting off a new CD, the first flickering images of a late night horror movie; and feel the joy of the first day of a childhood summer.

Genre-wise? Maybe you could call it Post-Yacht? Proudly DIY, everything we do is written, recorded, mixed and mastered in-house. The album cover photos, sleeve design and even this bio were crafted by our very own sweaty little paws. Oh, our friend lejuanix made the videos for ‘Sunset Thinking’ and ‘Where Did You Go?’ though, credit where credit’s due.“

Artists who influenced the record include: Daft Punk, Phosphorescent, Afghan Whigs, Tears for Fears, Islands, Deerhunter, Madonna, Steely Dan, Amadou & Mariam, REM, New Order, Hall & Oates, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper and Curtis Mayfield.