8/10

With their eagerly-awaited new EP 'Church Street', Welsh duo Martyrs continue their quietly ambitious run of self-released projects, presenting a collection that feels both carefully constructed and deeply personal. Written, recorded, and produced entirely within their own spaces, the collection reflects a deliberate commitment to independence, but its strength lies in how that approach serves the material rather than defining it.

The title track 'Church Street' anchors the release in a specific sense of place, drawing on the duo’s connection to Merthyr Tydfil. It captures the duality of familiarity, and how environments can feel both formative and difficult to reconcile with over time. There’s a measured tone throughout, with the arrangement allowing the song’s reflective qualities to emerge without overstating them.

On 'He Breaks Horses', the scope broadens to incorporate the historical context of the Merthyr Rising of 1831. The track connects personal identity with a wider narrative, though it remains grounded in the duo’s understated delivery. It’s one of the EP’s more expansive moments, but it avoids becoming overly grand. While 'Twist The Cap' shifts the focus toward addiction, approaching the subject with a balance of distance and empathy.

Across the release, Martyrs continue to move between styles without settling into a single category. The production remains relatively minimal, but there is a clear attention to detail in how each element is placed. 'Church Street' is not immediate in its impact; it reveals itself gradually, shaped by a consistent sense of purpose and a focus on lived experience.