Merthyr Tydfil’s “least favourite sons,” the Welsh DIY duo Martyrs, have delivered a seasonal surprise with their brand-new EP, sno-fi. Released as a Bandcamp Download Exclusive, the project was inspired by a missed opportunity to perform at a London benefit show hosted by indie pop legends The Understudies; instead, Jon Howells and Michael Hall decided to craft their own six-track fundraiser, with every penny from sales going directly to Cancer Research UK. Following the surprise global radio success of their Halloween Dream EP, sno-fi sees the duo returning to the lo-fi, genre-agnostic roots of their debut. It is a collection of strange, melancholic “festive” tunes that swap sleigh-bell cheer for a raw, intimate soundscape, even featuring a role-reversal spoken word track and a haunting live acoustic version of “snowglobe” recorded in the hollowed-out lobby of a Victorian-era hotel.
Lyrically, the EP moves away from the commercial glitter of the season to speak to those facing loneliness, addiction, or grief during the holidays. Vocalist Michael Hall notes that the band wanted to create something for the people often left out of the Christmas narrative while raising vital funds for cancer research. Musically, the tracks are “drenched in seasonal melancholia,” blending synth-driven atmospheres with stripped-back arrangements that feel both dreamlike and grounded. From the found-footage aesthetic of the “snow came down” video to the inclusion of home demos and live takes, sno-fi is a quintessential DIY offering that prioritizes emotional honesty over holiday polish. It’s a sophisticated, slightly dark, and deeply human addition to the winter music canon—one that verifies Martyrs as a band capable of turning personal reflection into a collective act of kindness.
sno-fi Track Listing:
1. snowglobe
2. snow through frosted glass
3. snow came down
4. snowglobe (Live Acoustic)
5. snow came down (Demo Version)
6. snowblind