Renee Maskin – Shimmer
Known for her distinctive voice literally and artistically, Renee Maskin is a staple in the thriving music scene in Asbury Park, NJ. With three solo LPs released in three years, her prolific output pulls from a deep well of influences, from country, to garage, to modern indie-rock. Maskin has notably opened for a wide range of acts, including Jon Langford (Mekons), William Tyler, Del Amitri, Tyler Ramsey, and notably toured with her former group, Lowlight, in support of the Pretenders. Maskin was named “songwriter of the year 2023” by New Jersey Stage Magazine.
In her most recent LP, Shimmer out on Mint 400 Records, Renee produced, recorded and wrote all the songs to achieve her most ambitious record to date. “Rain Rain,” the lead off track, is a beautiful introduction into the world of an artist who lives and breathes her surroundings. The jangly rhythm wakes you up from a slumber and meanders through her creative lens “here’s a kind of light, if you hold it right, you could almost see it shimmer.” “Horses” begins where the previous track leaves off and continues at a galloping pace. The warm nylon acoustic dances with an interweaving violin; a tale of awkward gatherings, heightened observations and a go to mantra when you need a way out, “I thought about horses…running.”
“Scrimshaw,” the art of carving on marine ivory, feels and sounds like a classic song. Her voice is rich and expressive and could have easily found its way on any Lord Huron record.“All my friends are moving down to Nashville” sings Renee on her country-western romp, “Nashville.” It is true, many of Maskin’s friends have moved down south in search of musical treasures, but Renee chooses to remain on the sandy beaches of Asbury Park. The takeaway, all dreams can be pondered either in the heat of the south or the traffic in NYC.
As you approach the middle of the LP, you begin to veer off the main road and onto a dusty stretch to take in the disheartened view of “California,” the analytical drama and short life and love in “Mosquito Dreams,” and “Frustrated Painters.” These three songs sit so well together and spotlight Maskin’s keen production work and heartfelt yet quirky songcraft. If the Coen brothers make a modern day western, “Flamingo Pink” would be the perfect song to share tales of its idiosyncratic adventures, “all dressed up in your favorite colors, flamingo pink.” The final track, “Comber,” like its name, is a long curling sea wave and brings the record to a beautiful conclusion…it also may be the beginning to something special.
Go here to order Shimmer https://reneemaskin.bandcamp.com/album/shimmer
or stream https://open.spotify.com/artist/6NPg2qwvMgNggxaSPr8OYR
Check out tour dates here: https://www.reneemaskin.com/live
Additional Credits: Nicole Scorsone – Fiddle on Horses, Flamingo Pink; Tom Barrett – Drums on Nashville.
Shimmer is available on Mint 400 Records https://www.mint400records.com/ Cover Photo by John Decker.
