Music

Young Martyrs Bring Raw Emotion to Life with Never Gave You The Blues

6 October

On September 12th, Bath-based alt-americana four-piece Young Martyrs unveiled the official music video for their single Never Gave You The Blues, and it’s a moment worth celebrating.

Formed in 2020, Young Martyrs have been carving out their own corner of the UK music scene, winning over audiences with heartfelt lyrics and a sound that balances intimacy with anthemic energy. Their self-titled debut arrived the same year they formed, followed by a sold-out headline tour that saw them share stages with Badly Drawn Boy, The Hoosiers, and McFly, and appearances at festivals including Glastonbury and Rock Oyster. By the time their second album, Time Is Not On Our Side, landed in 2023, their fanbase had stretched beyond the UK, with shows in New York City adding to their growing reputation.

But Never Gave You The Blues isn’t just another single from the band’s catalogue, it’s one that strikes a deeper chord. Produced with Sebastian Brice (Indefra Studios) at Real World Studios and featuring guest vocals from Natalie Brice (Sinnober), the song marries delicate rhythms, soaring country-style guitar, and layered harmonies to tell a story of heartbreak and perspective.

“‘Never Gave You The Blues’ is about the breakdown of something beautiful, but he sees it one way and she sees it another,” explains vocalist Tom Corneill. “He says if he’d known it was going to hurt them both he would never have started it… but we know that’s not really true. It’s a classic he said / she said story; not everyone can be telling the truth.”

The track first appeared on Time Is Not On Our Side, but it was always destined for something more. After running out of budget during the album cycle, the band had to press pause on releasing a video. But as Corneill shares, it was the fans who kept the song alive:

“When we finished our first UK tour of sellout shows, this was the song everyone shouted for the most. So when we finally got some funding we knew we had to put something special together for it.”

And they did. Teaming up with Furball Films, the band gave Never Gave You The Blues the visual it deserved, following June’s video for Everything Else Disappears, which picked up support from outlets like RGM and RTE.

The band’s story doesn’t stop here. With new material in the works for 2026, Young Martyrs are keeping momentum alive with live shows throughout autumn. Fans can catch them at Chapel Arts Centre in Bath (Nov 1st) and The Pulpit in Swindon (Nov 19th), among other dates.

For now, though, Never Gave You The Blues is the moment, an indicator of why Young Martyrs have connected so strongly since day one: songs that tell the truth, even when the truth hurts.