Free Mace is the musical moniker of multi-instrumentalist recording artist Mason Thomas Staub. He debuted the project in 2018 with an eponymous six-song EP. That record introduced a multi-talented songwriter and producer with a multi-genre alt-rock sound.
Since his debut, the prolific producer has released an impressive catalog of music, including four albums, two EPs, and a string of singles. A skilled engineer and musician, he uses the studio as his canvas, in his words, “pushing the envelope of sound and aesthetic.” The latest Free Mace release Better off Bitter was independently produced, engineered, and funded over a three year period by Staub in his Jacksonville, Florida studio.
Better off Bitter is the brand new album from Free Mace, released worldwide via all major streaming services on July 19, 2024. The record is a showcase for Mason’s unique mix of classic, alternative, and indie rock. His sound is inspired by similarly genre-defying bands like Dance Gavin Dance, Fall Out Boy, Chon, From First to Last, Coheed and Cambria, and Tokyo Police Club. Throughout the ten-song set he marries studio innovation with musical expertise.
From the haunting intro and emo groove of the title track to the introspective “The Heretic”, Free Mace blends genres to suit the needs of the song. “Reality” a wild ride that turns a punk guitar riff to a reverb-soaked psychedelic rock vibe. Staub shows his pop skills with infectiously catchy melodies on tracks like “Good Time Girl” and the 90s-inspired “Upside Down”. He then takes the record closer to its pop/punk roots with tracks like “Of this World” and “Another Year, Another Round”. “Swift Fists” continues to explore the many nuances of Free Mace’s retro-modern indie vibe.
He drops smooth harmonized 80s-style humbucker riffs in “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, and rips some arena-worthy solos on tracks like “Failure by Design”. On Better of Bitter, Free Mace marries art-rock musicianship with pop sensibilities and some really killer guitar playing.
Check out Better Off Bitter below, or listen on your favorite streaming service. You can also hear the tracks “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “Reality” on the Deep Dive : Pop & Rock playlist. Follow the links below to connect with the artist.