Alberta, Canada-based indie pop artist Shaela Miller first came to our attention at the end of last year through the video for her single After the Masquerade. Now I’m pleased to be sharing the album of the same name on which the track features.

By Graeme Smith

Feature photo by Bleu Baker

The single After the Masquerade struck me through its combination of classic country and new wave sentiments and Shaela’s new album expands this intrigue, bringing together a wealth of sounds and some deep themes exploring love and loss.

Shaela sees the album as a return to where it all started for her but it’s certainly not a regression. She brings her hard-worn experience to the music of her youth, elevating it to a new level and transforming it into a sound that feels cutting edge. We are treated to doses of cosmic pop (Start A Fire, David Bowie cover As The World Falls Down, Waterline), moody dark wave (Of Roses, After The Masquerade) and stripped-back country rock (I Can’t Love, Station) across its eleven tracks.

In My Dreams is a vibrant and emotional centrepiece, full of storytelling lyrics and a bittersweet sense of nostalgia. A slow-builder, introspective verses give way to swelling, cinematic choruses.

The album ends big too, with the pacy and hopeful Mourning Tonight, the delicate and reflective The End, and simmering album closer Sunglasses.

There’s no-one out there quite like Shaela Miller. Her unique take on Americana really sets her apart and it’s clear how much joy she has taken in creating her new album. That joy is infectious, and the album’s stories and emotions are incredibly relatable. She is a true talent.

After the Masquerade was produced by Graham Lessard and was recorded at Studio Bell in Calgary’s National Music Centre. The album is out now via Neon Moon Records on vinyl, CD and as a digital download, available to buy here. You can check it out below.