It was back in 1971 that Marvin Gaye wrote ‘What’s Going On’, a soulful plea for social change, love, and understanding, directly addressing Vietnam War-era trauma, police brutality, and systemic injustice, one of the world’s earliest political protest songs.
55 years later and Martin & the New Songrise (Martin Høybye) looks towards latter day ‘Forgiveness’ in his second single from the forthcoming debut album ‘Clouds & Silver Linings’, set for release later in 2026.
I’m not comparing Martin with Marvin and in any case ‘Forgiveness’ is more in the way of a Martin Luther King sermon from the mount which focuses on the need shared humanity, which he portrays as a sinking boat, while religious and political standpoints are increasingly used as weapons, turning neighbours into enemies.
What was that ‘poem’ in the novel/film The Omen? “From the Eternal Sea he rises/creating armies on either shore/Turning man against his brother/’til man exists no more”. (Meaning the Devil).
We only have one boat, he says. So the question is not what’s in it for me, but how I can help the other?
And you do that by turning the other cheek, letting the suits fight the suits, and “never hurting nobody” (technically “anybody” or it’s a double negative) and various other platitudes.
I’m being mildly critical there but his main point is that positions of power come with responsibility – not for personal gain, but for the greater good. I don’t think there can be any argument about that at the moment can there, Don, JD, Pete, Benjamin, Vlad, Xi, Kim, today’s Ayatollah?
And I like the way he channels long established songs like ‘Go tell it on the mountain’. That’s smart.
I was also delighted to see the return of ‘the man’, of whom I last heard during The Summer of Love back in ’67 (except when it was applied to Joe Biden).
Musically, Martin bundles up Motown, blues, soul and Gospel with a credible vocal that could have come straight out of the 60s.
(Continues after the Spotify link)
Martin & the New Songrise is a new musical project built around his song writing and international collaborations, with multiple releases behind him.
Find him on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenewsongrise
