Tenille Townes has released her personal and charmingly comforting Masquerades EP today via Columbia Nashville/Sony Music Nashville, in partnership with RCA Records.
Masquerades follows Tenille Townes’ acclaimed debut album The Lemonade Stand, which was named Country Album of the Year at the 50th JUNO Awards, as well as Album of the Year at the 2021 Canadian CMA Awards, where Townes also earned her third consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year trophy.
A meditation on duality, self-reflection and embracing flaws, the Masquerades EP contains features from singer-songwriter Wrabel, who duets with Tenille on ‘When You Need It,’ as well as BRELAND who is known for fusing Gospel, R&B and Country featuring on the track ‘Shared Walls.’
This soul-baring collection sees Tenille pull her own mask down and shine a light on emotions that we are often used to hiding.
“Masquerades really represents those things that we get used to hiding behind and the idea of being able to step out and still hold on to the hope with both hands in the middle of that process.”
— Tenille Townes
‘When You Need It‘ featuring Wrabel opens the EP with a rich lull that swells to ignite a spark as Tenille’s warm vocals blend smoothly with the steady beat, effortlessly bleeding into Wrabel’s assured delivery. The duo paint a blissful wash over listeners, evoking a feeling similar to resting your head on the shoulder of a familiar friend.
Second track ‘When’s It Gonna Happen‘ kicked off 2022 as a pre-release in response to her fan’s great support and love for the track on social media. This track mixes the melancholy and magical, a dash of hope shining through simultaneously, with lyrics such as: “Sometimes I feel like I’m the last one standing / I look around and all my friends are falling in love.” It is easy to see how the sincere spirit which radiates from Tenille’s lyrics instantly captivated fans, as she encapsulates hope, insecurity, fear, and anticipation in this relatable and liberating package.
‘When’s It Gonna Happen‘ feeds fluidly into the hauntingly beautiful ‘The Sound Of Being Alone,’ a song which acts as a moment charged with unrestrained emotions, where melodic cries meet a softer crooning. ‘Villain In Me‘ is a quiet giant on this record. Full of a raw and sensitive quality, this soulful song showcases the peak of Townes’ vulnerability, as the artist digs deep into self-reflection. ‘Shared Walls‘ featuring BRELAND is an intimate track, a naked conversation that places listeners at the centre of tangled complexity, with the saccharine guitar driving the heartfelt truth. ‘Same Road Home‘ takes an upbeat and sunny path comparatively, sonically embodying a smile of reassurance, meanwhile ‘Light in Your Eyes‘ wraps up the EP on a bittersweet and tender note.
Speaking on the meaning behind the Masquerades EP, Tenille said, “Masquerades is me setting aside the smiling face I hide behind sometimes and letting the world see more of who I am. In this process, I realised that I am two different people and I struggle between those two often. I am the introverted songwriter and the fiery performer, and both are true to who I am. I look forward to showing more of these sides in my music and live performances. Music has always been a bridge for me between both of these sides, and I hope this music can help others who can relate.”
Townes recently hosted her 12th annual Big Hearts for Big Kids event in Alberta, Canada, raising over $450,000. So far, she has raised a staggering over $2 million with this concert fundraiser which she started in her hometown at 15 years old to benefit her local youth shelter The Sunrise House.
Townes’ mini-tour Big Hearts On The Road is set to hit Nashville on 3 May at Exit/In on behalf of Room In The Inn (doubling as an EP release event,) Dallas on 12 May on behalf of Midlothian Manna House, and Charlotte on 14 May on behalf of S.A.F.E. Animal Haven Rescue.
Tenille Townes will be hitting the road this summer opening for Brooks & Dunn, Jake Owen, Brad Paisley and Darius Rucker, before embarking on her own headline UK/European tour set to kick off in October. The 6-date run, some of which is part of UK Country Music Week, will see the singer performing: London, Glasgow, Bristol, Manchester, Berlin and Hamburg. Tickets are available to purchase here.
MASQUERADES TRACK LISTING:
1. When You Need It (featuring Wrabel)
2. When’s It Gonna Happen
3. The Sound of Being Alone
4. Villain In Me
5. Shared Walls (featuring BRELAND)
6. Same Road Home
7. Light In Your Eyes