Music

Sonic Rade’s “Masquerade” Unmasks a Mysterious Ode to Melancholy with Soulful Melodic Rock

The dynamic Swiss Pop-Rock trio Sonic Rade has once again electrified the music scene with their second latest single, “Masquerade,” a sonic track that ventures deep into the soul of classic rock with a contemporary twist. Released on September 10, 2023, as part of their highly-anticipated album “Acacias,” “Masquerade” is a thrilling journey into the heart of classic rock with a modern twist that leaves an indelible mark.

From the first guitar strum, “Masquerade” immediately grabs your attention and refuses to let go. The song’s backbone is a potent guitar riff layered over a rock-solid rhythm section that delivers an irresistible groove. But the unexpected and riveting harmonica solo truly sets this track apart. It’s a bold and ingenious move, adding a layer of complexity and intrigue to an already mesmerizing composition.

Sonic Rade, formed on the shores of the Rade in Geneva, Switzerland, is a trio that seamlessly blends the talents of a Canadian and two Swiss musicians: Ricardo Ryan (vocals and guitar), Christian Fonjallaz (bass and backing vocals), and Pascal J. Kramer (drums and percussion).

Frontman Ryan’s vocals are a melancholic marvel. His voice carries an air of mystery and a mesmerizing touch of darkness that perfectly complements the song’s somber atmosphere. As he croons, “We said I’ll meet you there, I couldn’t find the place, Let’s go down to town, Let’s share our wildest dreams, We know! It’s a Masquerade, Where do we go! It’s a Masquerade…,” you can’t help but be drawn into the enigmatic world Sonic Rade has crafted. The lyrics of “Masquerade” are poetic and thought-provoking, with words that add depth to the already immersive listening experience.

The accompanying music video is a work of art in its own right. Shot in Sonic Rade’s underground rehearsal space and the old town of Nice, France, it features a mysterious woman who adds an extra layer of intrigue to the narrative. The video’s raw, indie rock black-and-white aesthetics and obscure cinematography perfectly mirror the song’s mood, creating a visual and auditory experience that’s truly captivating.

Artist Spotlight

Lisa Boostani creates a mesmerizing tidal realm in “Ocean”

Lisa Boostani’s “Ocean” takes you deep into a sensory world where body, spirit, and myth come together, beyond the surface of genre. Boostani makes a soundscape that is both ethereal and deeply human by combining the broad essence of psychedelic pop with the strong appeal of alternative rock.

Her voice rises as if it is coming from deep within her, shaped by emotion rather than action. She intentionally channels the intangible, turning weakness into strength rather than a source of pain, and “Ocean” tells people to get involved in this inner world, not just watch it. This release is an integral part of her first EP, “One,” which will come out in March 2026 and is based on love, sensuality, and unity.

If “Ocean” is any indication, the EP will show sensuality not as something pretty, but as a kind of spiritual intelligence, a way to know yourself by connecting with others. The song’s textures and structure have an aquatic quality, moving between clarity and delirium, rhythm and freedom. Its emotional focus is on immersion instead of resolution.

Artist Spotlight

NOAH. captures the unspoken signals in enchanting R&B track “That’s Bless”

“That’s Bless” captures the unspoken late-night message, the smile that was exchanged from afar, and the feeling you sense but are afraid to say. NOAH. offers a song with a smoky R&B feel and lyrics that capture unspoken tension, firmly in the realm of emotional ambiguity, where connection is clear but not defined.

This piece concerns the subtle discomfort of mixed signals and quiet longings, when looks say more than words ever could. NOAH. handles the theme with restraint, letting the chemistry simmer rather than explode. NOAH.’s delivery shows a confident gentleness, recognizing that some feelings don’t need strict definitions to be real.

In “That’s Bless,” he captures the essence of connection and the compelling allure that endures, even when both parties pretend it is not there. The composition is based on real-life events, and it acknowledges that specific attachments endure in the heart long after one has persuaded oneself of having progressed.

“That’s Bless” is at the crossroads of closeness and distance, clarity and confusion. The song doesn’t resolve the tension it talks about, and that’s what makes it so powerful. It sums up the connection we say we don’t want but keep coming back to in memory, rhythm, and pulse.

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