‘5’ marks our point of entry into Mike Masser’s fierce, hard-hitting and nostalgic artistic universe. Championing the purest of rock’n’roll and an intense and gloomy hard rock atmosphere, the record sees the Prescott-based guitarist and singer return to the global music scene after a whopping four-year-long hiatus. Well, time doesn’t seem to have diminished his musicianship skills; in fact, he sounds angrier and more potent than ever.
Masser’s vocals are a perfect match for the wealth of rock goodness contained in ‘5’; imagine an energetic, gritty and sombre tone, adventuring on melancholic imagery and personal storytelling. Songs are quite cryptic at times, but that comes with the album being such a wholesome and authentic affair. From a sonic standpoint, the record truly delves into the hard-rock tradition, with a stream of sharp guitars and rolling drums enhancing Mike’s gloomy lyricism.
As Masser explains: “‘5’ blends heavy riffs with personal stories, including a tribute to my late best friend and a song honouring my father’s fight with Alzheimer’s. It also features three bold cover tracks, reimagined with my edge.” Boasting ten tracks, ‘5’ also includes the obligatory ballads, as is the case for ‘Don’t Follow’ and ‘Morning After You’.
Recommended! Discover ‘5’ on Spotify:
