Review: Martyrs Drowning Days
If this really is the soundtrack to the sad summer, then we're more than happy to get swept away. Martyrs haven't just stayed afloat here—they've delivered a single that's impossible to drown out.
REVIEWS
6/26/20262 min read
Next up is the brand new single Drowning Days from Band Assist favourites Martyrs – a track the Welsh DIY duo have proudly dubbed the "Sad Summer Anthem."
If you've followed Martyrs over the past few years, you'll know one thing is guaranteed – expect the unexpected. Across seven EPs they've taken listeners everywhere from serrated old-school metal to sophistipop, 90's indie, spoken word and experimental soundscapes, all without ever compromising their fiercely independent DIY ethos. Their forthcoming The Last Summer EP, their eighth in an ambitious series of ten releases, looks set to continue that remarkable journey.
Following the hugely successful Church Street EP, which found its way onto playlists at over 160 radio stations worldwide, Drowning Days somehow manages to raise the bar once again.
The song crashes into life with a pounding electronic beat that immediately demands your attention. It is bold, immediate and impossible to ignore.
Yet, as always with Martyrs, things are never quite as straightforward as they first appear.
The gothic vocal enters to create that unmistakable Martyrs atmosphere before gradually soaring into something unexpectedly beautiful. They remain absolute masters of juxtaposition, constantly balancing darkness with light, melancholy with hope and intimacy with stadium-sized ambition.
The use of space throughout the pre-chorus is particularly inspired. Rather than filling every second, the band allow the tension to build naturally before unleashing what is quite possibly the catchiest chorus they have written to date.
Calling this a "Sad Summer Anthem" almost feels misleading because, despite the reflective lyrics, the chorus is so uplifting that it becomes impossible not to get swept away by it.
That emotional contradiction is exactly what makes Martyrs so compelling.
Their lyrics have always carried weight, but here they strike a particularly impressive balance. Themes of loneliness and loss run throughout the song, yet they are constantly illuminated by small flashes of hope and resilience. It never wallows in sadness. Instead, it feels like dancing your way through difficult times with the determination that tomorrow might just be better.
The drop before the second chorus is genuinely inspired, creating one of those moments where everything falls away before exploding back with even greater impact.
Musically, there are unmistakable nods towards the shimmering electronic sounds of the 1980s, but they are filtered through such a contemporary lens that Drowning Days never feels nostalgic. This is not a throwback. It is an anthem built firmly for 2026.
The song twists, turns and constantly surprises, lifting you up precisely when you least expect it. Every element feels carefully considered while still retaining the raw honesty and charm that defines Martyrs' DIY approach.
Simply put, Drowning Days is another triumph from a band who continue to refuse being boxed into a single genre or formula. They remain fearless, inventive and refreshingly unpredictable, constantly proving that taking creative risks is far more rewarding than playing it safe.
If this really is the soundtrack to the sad summer, then we're more than happy to get swept away. Martyrs haven't just stayed afloat here—they've delivered a single that's impossible to drown out.