From heartfelt ‘phone home’ films to stomach-turning Space Mountain rides at Disneyland, our world has long been captivated by otherworldly spectacles – from unidentified lights in the sky to the little green creatures we call aliens. Artists have always drawn inspiration from these imagined beings (Martians, in this case), but few do so while speaking for outsider youth, exploring the space between the known and the unknown – and fewer still do it through the language of rock ’n’ roll.
Not from Mars but from London, Martians Don’t Scare Me formed in 2022 with drummer Ezra and guitarist-producer George. Now joined by bassist Liv and lead vocalist Gael, the band has spent the past two years writing and recording their debut EP. In November 2025, they’re finally ready to introduce themselves to this planet.
The self-titled EP takes listeners on a “sonically tantalising” journey — from the explosive, alternative opener Fly Away to the conceptual, instrumental closer Apollo. Though bassist and songwriter Liv admits the band “didn’t do enough intentionally to make it a concept record,” the tracks are threaded with recurring themes of boredom, youth, and disorientation. Whether deliberate or not, these motifs transform the record into a kind of metaphorical escape — from the feelings the band explores, and that so many share — an escape into outer space.
That sense of lift-off comes through George’s genre-blending production, which deftly fuses electronic textures with classic indie-rock riffs. The result nods to influences such as The Strokes, Car Seat Headrest and The Smashing Pumpkins, while adding the band’s own interstellar twist. Alien-like synths shimmer alongside sharp guitars, and the songwriting throughout is confident and inventive. Tracks where this synthesis shines include Madeline, which pairs a drum machine with a mysterious, addictive guitar line to create an eerie yet explosive atmosphere; and Deep Sea Octopi, whose twin guitars pan across the mix while a pulsing bass anchors the centre — like a dialogue between the band and their Martian muses.
The single Person Rouge shows that Martians Don’t Scare Me are not only intergalactic but international. Drawing on both French pop and Britpop, lead singer Gael delivers a wistful, multilingual love song. Lyrics such as “I’m blind as can be, I can’t see,” “Person rouge, où êtes-vous?” and “Where are we even going?” expand on the record’s drifting, uncertain mood, set against a melodic and heartfelt instrumental.
All in all, this debut EP is set to make its landing on Earth soon — a bold and imaginative introduction from a band already looking to the stars. Their message to listeners: stay tuned, because “the next one will be even better.” So climb aboard the spaceship before take-off, and immerse yourself in this thrilling, offbeat first release before everyone else does.
Words: Rosa Brown