Bananarama are celebrating their 40th anniversary with the release of their 12th LP ‘Masquerade’.
Due July 22, the project sees Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward reunite with Ian Masterson on 11 new tracks, including the single Favourite, co-written by Sara’s daughter Alice D.
“It’s just a brilliant pop song,” Keren says. “We’ve done a different take on it but with Alice on backing vocals because we couldn’t not use her ad libs, they’re just too good.”
Originally conceived as an EP, the record came to life as the pandemic wiped out Bananarama’s live schedule in 2020.
“I love writing songs; it’s probably my favourite part,” Sara shares. “Shutting myself away and coming up with ideas and then telling a story in less than 4 minutes, it really is quite an art.”
“Arranging the music, vocals and harmonies really is our forte,” adds Keren.
The album coincides with the 40th anniversary of Bananarama’s Top 5 breakthrough It Ain’t What You Do (It’s the Way That You Do It) with Fun Boy Three in 1982, with live shows and more surprises on the horizon, according to a press release.
‘Masquerade’ is available to pre-order now.