There’s a quiet ambition running through ‘Church Street’ that reveals itself through careful, deliberate expansion. Welsh duo Jon Howells and Michael J Hall have always operated slightly outside of easy categorisation, but here, that refusal to settle becomes the defining strength of the collection.
At its core, ‘Church Street’ is preoccupied with how places, people, and experiences shift when viewed through time. The title-track sets that tone immediately, unfolding with a sense of scale that feels almost cinematic. Guitars shimmer and swell, arrangements stretch outward, and the emotional centre remains firmly rooted in something personal. It’s a song about fleeting connection, but it carries a weight that lingers well beyond its runtime.
Across the EP, that balance between intimacy and scope is handled with precision. ‘He Breaks Horses’ stands as one of the more striking moments, drawing from historical context to explore themes of struggle and resistance. Here, there are traces of the widescreen melancholy associated with Manic Street Preachers, while the textural layering occasionally leans toward the atmospheric tendencies of The Blue Nile.
‘Twist The Cap’, by contrast, is a more restrained piece, built on late-night tones and reflective pacing. The production allows space for detail, creating a sense of closeness that contrasts effectively with the EP’s broader moments. It’s here that the duo’s patience becomes most apparent, letting the song develop without forcing resolution.
While the Bandcamp-exclusive material adds further depth. ‘You’ve Been Here Before’ operates more as a collage than a traditional composition, while ‘Having The Window Open Helps’ leans into spoken word and darker electronic textures. These tracks expand the EP’s conceptual scope, reinforcing the idea that Martyrs are focused on building a more complete emotional landscape than anything else.
As part of their ongoing run of releases, this EP stands out because it refines their approach to date. Martyrs continue to operate on their own terms, offering something quietly ambitious, structurally fluid, and committed to capturing something that sits just beyond easy definition.