Nature of Wires - The Masquerade

I have always wondered what would have happened if Nature of Wires decided to stay together and pursue their musical dreams rather than disseminate for nearly two decades. I could imagine that they would have reached top spots in several European electronic charts becoming well known and loved by fans of synthpop all around the globe. Nonetheless, I digress; those thoughts are always swept away by the present persistence of Nature of Wires. Their music is spectacular; sweeping synths betray no emotions in their music and the recent collaborations they've done (I'm looking at you, Lady B) have pumped through my earbuds multiple times since I've listened to them.



In continuation of that trend, Nature of Wires has teamed up with Stephen Newton for their brand new single 'The Masquerade'. Newton is a name that is unknown to me but I was able to extract from Gary Watts, Nature of Wires co-founder, that he is one half of the project GLYDA and has also collaborated with acts such as Fused, City of Stars, and Scyia. Newton and Nature of Wires have also (and I'm banging my head trying to figure out how this one flew by me) collaborated for a competition where they had to create an alternative theme for the Bond movie No Time To Die (check it out HERE). In other words, just like Nature of Wires, Newton has esteemed credibility to his name. 

Thus begs the question: after all the positive notes that I've stated about Newton and Nature of Wires, what more is there to say? Well, we could start off by saying that Newton has serious, smooth vocals that ebb and flow with the ambient backed tinge of Nature of Wires' electronic mastery. This is not like Nature of Wires' previous efforts where dance music is the focus; this is a reflection of a person who does not know who they are anymore. The lyrics read, "The mirror shows a different man to the one I used to be / When the voice inside begins and the walls are closing in, / screaming out for company, I question my own sanity". Lyrical perfection right there and a theme that we can all relate to. It's also important to note that the single, as written by Newton, "is inspired by an old mate with paranoid schizophrenia seemingly coping in society, so basically masquerading through life."

German synthpop band Sea of Sin comes in to brighten the mood just a bit with their remix of the single. Raw but clean percussive elements add in a different flavor while varying, brighter synths add in a touch of hope to an otherwise depressing song. All in all, for a single, this is one hell of a powerful package. 

'The Masquerade' is available for purchase via Nature of Wires' Bandcamp page and is available on other major digital streaming sites. You'd be doing yourself wrong if you failed to listen to this one. 

This review was commissioned through our Ko-fi page. Feel free to check it out for review, interview, and premiere opportunities. 
Nov 17 2020