London-based band Sons of Martha is making waves in the alternative rock scene with their latest single, A Nightjar Calls, set for release on February 28, 2025. With their melodic depth, rich storytelling, and evocative instrumentation, this track solidifies their place among the greats of introspective, heartfelt rock.
Formed in 2023 by Josh Beach (vocals) and featuring Tim Buckland (guitar), Steven Spencer (drums), Stephen Morgan (bass guitar), and King Otto (piano/keys), Sons of Martha brings together a collective of musicians who share a passion for crafting timeless music. Their work is deeply influenced by the poetic melancholy of Leonard Cohen, the jangly brilliance of The Smiths, and the raw emotion of REM, yet they maintain a sound that is distinctly their own.
At its core, A Nightjar Calls is a reflection on the fleeting nature of life—a song that urges listeners to live in the moment before it slips away. Written by Josh Beach in the spring of 2023, the track was inspired by a quiet moment of contemplation in nature. The nightjar, a mysterious nocturnal bird known for its haunting call, serves as a metaphor for the voices of the past and the ephemeral beauty of existence.
Sonically, A Nightjar Calls blends shimmering guitar lines, a driving rhythm section, and atmospheric keys, creating a lush yet introspective soundscape. The song begins with a delicate interplay of arpeggiated guitar and gentle piano, drawing the listener into its dreamy atmosphere. As the track builds, Beach’s soulful and expressive vocals take center stage, delivering lyrics steeped in nostalgia, longing, and acceptance.
There’s an unmistakable Go-Betweens-style brightness in the melody, but beneath it lies a subtle tension, reminiscent of Lemonheads’ alt-rock charm and REM’s pensive lyricism. The Smiths’ influence is particularly apparent in the intricate, layered guitar work, which dances effortlessly between melancholy and hope.
The chorus swells with an anthemic quality as Beach sings of time slipping through his fingers like sand, of memories calling out like the distant cry of a nightjar. There’s a deep emotional resonance in the way the band weaves together wistful nostalgia and present-day urgency, making this a song that lingers in the mind long after the final note fades.
Recorded in London, A Nightjar Calls captures the magic of collaborative musicianship at its finest. Every member of Sons of Martha brings something unique to the track—Buckland’s intricate guitar work adds warmth and movement, Morgan’s basslines ground the track with a steady pulse, Spencer’s drumming balances restraint and intensity, and Otto’s piano work adds an ethereal, cinematic quality. Together, they create something both deeply personal and universally relatable.
Beyond its sonics, A Nightjar Calls speaks to a larger theme in Sons of Martha’s music—the passage of time, the weight of memory, and the importance of embracing life’s fleeting moments. The band has a talent for writing songs that feel like they belong to both past and future, resonating with those who appreciate the depth and emotional richness of classic alternative rock.
With A Nightjar Calls, Sons of Martha has crafted a melodic meditation on impermanence, a song that feels like a whispered conversation with the night itself. It’s a track that will resonate deeply with anyone who has ever felt the bittersweet pull of nostalgia, who has ever stood still and listened to the quiet, knowing that change is inevitable.
This is more than just another single release—it’s a declaration of intent from a band that is poised to carve out their own space in the alt-rock world. For fans of thoughtful, poetic songwriting and layered, expressive musicianship, Sons of Martha is a band to watch.
Make sure to catch A Nightjar Calls on all major streaming platforms from February 28, 2025, and follow Sons of Martha as they continue their journey of musical exploration.
