Renee Maskin & Sonofdov join forces to release captivating split EP.

By Graeme Smith

Renee Maskin is a country and rock singer songwriter based in Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA. She’s previously opened for Del Amitri and toured with The Pretenders as part of the band Lowlight. Her new EP sees her join forces with Sonofdov, real name Dennis King, an alt-folk singer songwriter who is also based in New Jersey. His music has previously appeared in films and on TV.

Chansons De Lune was recorded last year and this year and consists of four atmospheric tracks that explore themes of the tangible and intangible, our physical world, and the meaning of our experiences.

It opens with the stripped-back Wild Winds. We immediately get the pair’s country and folk backgrounds through the dreamy and mournful duet. Featuring pedal steel from Joe Palmisano, we are transported to the American heartlands through the instrumental which is enhanced by its image-laden lyrics.

Jacques Cousteau follows, lighter in composition but still with plenty of depth. An acoustic guitar rhythm is hypnotic while Renee’s vocals star as they deliver lyrics as heavy as a diving bell.

Kerosene Mountain broods with a dark energy. Dennis takes the lead, singing poetic lyrics that will stick with you. Jungle Green closes the EP with its most expansive moment. Gently unfolding over five and a half minutes, it starts minimal before building to a powerful crescendo. It’s a final highlight.

Renee and Dennis have a rare chemistry that truly makes this split EP the joy that it is. Their styles complement each other well, and the way they share the load across its four track keeps things fresh and interesting. The standout is the lyrics, vivid with imagery and emotion, they demand multiple relistens.

Chansons De Lune is out now via Mint 400 Records and you can check it out below.