Pop icons Bananarama have announced the release date for their new album Masquerade, which is set to be released on 22nd July 2022. Ahead of the album’s release, the group have released a new single. “Favourite” dropped today and is the first official teaser from the forthcoming album.
Originally formed as a quartet, Bananarama now consists of members Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward. The single is the band’s first new material to be released in three years, in 2019 Dallin and Woodward released their comeback album entitled In Stereo. The new single was originally penned by Dallin’s daughter Alice Dallin-Walker and the track appeared on her 2018 LP Narcissus. Bananarama’s re-imagining of the song offers a fresh take on the track and features Dallin-Walker as a featured artist. Woodward has spoken on the new single, “It’s just a brilliant pop song. We’ve done a different take on it but with Alice on backing vocals because we couldn’t not use her ad libs, they’re just too good.”
The band’s upcoming album was originally imagined as an EP but due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent cancelled live shows the material grew into an album. Owing to the band’s axed touring schedule, the recording and writing sessions were extended which led to the production of a full release. Speaking on their process, Dallin has stated, “I love writing songs it’s probably my favourite part. Shutting myself away and coming up with ideas and then telling a story in less than 4 minutes, it really is quite an art.” Woodward continued to discuss their musical process, “Arranging the music, vocals and harmonies really is our forte.”
Dallin proceeded to discuss the meaning and themes conveyed in the lyrics, “When I was in lockdown, there were a lot of conversations happening to do with inclusivity, diversity and gender and racial equality. And that kind of led to this idea of ‘masquerade': how you present yourself in different ways depending on the situation, but really, you just want people to live how they want to live. It’s a song we’re really very proud of.”
The “Venus” hitmaker’s new album marks a landmark in their career, this year sees the band celebrate over four decades within the charts. The group’s debut single, “Aie a Mwana” was released in 1981 and was taken from their debut album Deep Sea Skiving. The album also contained two of the group’s most loved tracks “Really Saying Something” and “Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss him Goodbye”.
Along with a traditional digital release, the group’s forthcoming album will also be released via various physical formats. Included within the physical configurations are a limited edition run of red and blue vinyl, cassette and CD.
Click here to pre-order Masquerade.
Bananarama UK tour dates
04/06/2022 – Irlam Live – Manchester
17/06 – Kenwood House – London
09/07 – Kew The Music – London
16/07 – South Of England, Showground – Ardingly
17/07 – Forever Young Festival – Kildare
24/07 – Rewind Scotland – Perth
27/08 – Royal Estate At Sandringham – Sandringham
03/09 – Let’s Rock Kent – Maidstone
04/09 – Godiva Festival – Coventry
Click here to purchase tickets.
