We first heard from Masque in October of last year upon the release of the single “Hope“. That track introduced The Static Dive readers to a lifelong musician and proud member of the lgbtq+ community. Through his music and active social media presence, the singer reaches out to others who have suffered the effects of homophobia and oppression, wherever it may arise.
Masque started his musical journey as a child, studying classical piano. However, it wasn’t until 2020 that the talented artist decided to create his own original compositions. He released his debut single “Afraid” in 2021 and embarked on a two year songwriting project that would ultimately lead to the production of his debut full-length album.
Masqued Emotions is the brand new album from Masque, released worldwide via all major streaming services on January 18, 2023. The 9-song collection loosely tells the tale of one young gay man’s own struggle to find peace and self-acceptance in an unforgiving and judgemental world. The singer sets the scene with a genre-bending mix of pop, dance and theater.
From the dramatic prog-rock breakup song “Perfect for You” to the emotional climax of “Hope”, Masque’s story is a deeply personal tale of persecution and perseverance. He peels back the layers of childhood trauma on tracks like “Take it Off”, Shame” and “No More You.” Family, schoolyard bullies and the church are all taken to task for their prior misdeeds.
As the story unfolds, the protagonist grows up and is forced to face the self-doubt and insecurities caused by the antagonists of his past. He faces his demons directly on the powerful “Lie in the Mirror” and dissects the everyday effects over a deceptively uplifting world-beat groove on “Microtrauma (Every Day)”.
Masque lightens the mood a bit with some Caribbean beach vibes on “Sunhat”. Musically the album is a rich soundscape built on elements of electro-pop, EDM and a healthy dose of Broadway. The production follows the themes of introspection, persecution and ultimately, peace.
Check out Masqued Emotions in its entirety below, or listen on your favorite streaming service. You can also hear the song “Lie in the Mirror” on the Deep Indie Dance playlist. Follow the links below to connect with the artist and join him on his journey of self-discovery.
