Masquerade is the twelfth studio album by English musical duo Bananarama. It was released on 22 July 2022 as part of the group's 40th anniversary celebrations.
| Masquerade | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 22 July 2022 | |||
| Length | 39:01 | |||
| Label | In Synk | |||
| Producer | Ian Masterson | |||
| Bananarama chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Masquerade | ||||
The album was originally conceived as an EP, but following the cancellation of the group's live shows throughout 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it developed into a full-length album.[3] In addition to working with longtime collaborator Ian Masterson, Sara Dallin also co-wrote tracks with her daughter, Alice Dallin-Walker, known professionally as Alice D.
"Favourite" was released on 29 April 2022 as a "taster track".[4] The track is a cover of an Alice D song, as is the album track "Brand New", and features Alice on background vocals.[3][5] The single was added to the B-list of the BBC Radio 2 playlist and made 'Single of the Week' upon release, before moving onto the A-list the following week.
The album's release was followed by two launch shows at London Lafayette on 3 and 4 August 2022.[6][7] "Forever Young" and "Running with the Night" were subsequently released as singles. A reissue of the album, subtitled "The Unmasked Edition", was released on 7 April 2023, as a double-LP including six full-length remixes[8] and a digital edition including edits thereof.[9]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Sara Dallin, Keren Woodward and Ian Masterson, except where noted. All tracks are produced by Ian Masterson.[9]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Favourite" |
| 3:07 |
| 2. | "Stay Wild" | 3:47 | |
| 3. | "Velvet Lies" |
| 2:47 |
| 4. | "Masquerade" | 4:13 | |
| 5. | "Running with the Night" | 3:28 | |
| 6. | "Bad Love" |
| 3:00 |
| 7. | "Let's Go Outside" | 3:45 | |
| 8. | "Brand New" |
| 3:32 |
| 9. | "Need a Little More Time" | 3:35 | |
| 10. | "Forever Young" |
| 3:34 |
| 11. | "Waiting for the Sun to Shine" | 4:13 | |
| Total length: | 39:01 | ||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12. | "Running with the Night" (Almighty remix edit) | 3:25 | |
| 13. | "Forever Young" (Lamentis remix edit) |
| 3:53 |
| 14. | "Favourite" (Shanghai Surprize remix edit) |
| 2:54 |
| 15. | "Masquerade" (Cahill & DTAG remix edit) | 3:29 | |
| 16. | "Velvet Lies" (Sebastian Perez remix edit) |
| 2:54 |
| 17. | "Stay Wild" (Until Dawn remix edit) | 3:39 | |
| Total length: | 59:23 | ||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12. | "Running with the Night" (Almighty remix) | 5:36 | |
| 13. | "Forever Young" (Lamentis remix) |
| 4:50 |
| 14. | "Favourite" (Shanghai Surprize remix) |
| 5:03 |
| 15. | "Masquerade" (Cahill & DTAG remix) | 5:02 | |
| 16. | "Velvet Lies" (Sebastian Perez remix) |
| 4:14 |
| 17. | "Stay Wild" (Until Dawn remix) | 5:48 |
Charts
edit| Chart (2022) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[12] | 83 |
| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[13] | 130 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[14] | 6 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[15] | 22 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[16] | 2 |
| US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[17] | 99 |
References
edit- ^ Gotto, Connor (8 August 2022). "Bananarama to release 'Forever Young' as next 'Masquerade' single". Retropop Magazine. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
- ^ "Bananarama release 'Running With The Night' as latest 'Masquerade' single". Retropop Magazine. 16 October 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
- ^ a b Gotto, Connor (29 April 2022). "Bananarama announce 12th studio album, 'Masquerade', release new single 'Favourite'". Retropop Magazine. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ Bananarama [@VivaBananarama] (29 April 2022). "We're thrilled to announce that our NEW album MASQUERADE is available to pre-order now!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Bananarama [@VivaBananarama] (13 June 2022). "Exciting news! Make sure to tune into @ZoeTheBall breakfast show on Wednesday 15th June on @BBCRadio2 to hear the first play of our NEW single #Masquerade 🎭✨ Pre-save link here: https://slinky.to/BRMasquerade" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Kevin Fullerton (3 May 2022). "Bananarama to play two nights in London this August: How to get tickets". List.co.uk. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ Bananarama [@VivaBananarama] (3 May 2022). "Celebrate the launch of our new album #Masquerade with two special shows this summer! 🎭 💿August 3rd & 4th at @LondonLafayette Tickets on sale this Friday @10am (UK)⏰ Link here: http://axs.com/uk/series/14661/bananarama-at-lafayette-tickets?skin=aegpresentsuk #Bananarama2022 @AEG_Presents @AXS_UK" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Gotto, Connor (18 January 2023). "Bananarama announce 'Masquerade – The Unmasked Edition' deluxe album". Retropop Magazine. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ a b c "Masquerade (The Unmasked Edition)". Retrieved 9 March 2024 – via Spotify.
- ^ "Masquerade : The Unmasked Edition Vinyl [Ltd Edition]". Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024 – via Townsend Music.
- ^ Masquerade (Bananarama album) at Discogs
- ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 1 August 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1691. Australian Recording Industry Association. 1 August 2022. p. 6.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Bananarama – Masquerade" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
- ^ "Bananarama Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2022.