Italian based experimental, electronic duo, Trust the Mask (aka Elisa Dal Bianco and Vittoria Cavedon) have returned in an all encompassing, enigmatic cyclone for 2023, engulfing all who dare to enter their enticing and extraordinary vortex. Beginning last month with the distinctive and synth-intensive, alt pop single ‘Will you come?’, the bold, unconventional and gorgeously galactic track invigorated the senses and sparked the imagination on an astral level.
Now, tomorrow, Trust the Mask will share their second slice of dynamic synth action, in the form of the glitch infused, futuristic cyber-pop single and accompanying visual ‘Otaku’. Taken from the Japanese language, Otaku translates to a person or group of people that eschew human interactions in favour of video games and anime. It describes someone who is obsessed with computing, technology or certain aspects of popular culture to the detriment of their social skills.
Injected with industrial sounds and punctuated with Vittoria’s ethereal, otherworldly vocals, ‘Otaku’ is then laced with a piercing middle eastern-esque pipe which cleverly combines the essence of the ancient and the futuristic.
Featuring both artists adorning their incredible signature style headwear the video shares scenes of the duo entangled in a sea of cables and wires. A face off between light and shadow, a battle between good and evil, a dance between the two sides of self, Trust the Mask show us both sides of the coin in metaphoric symbolism and beautiful symmetry.
A proposed dystopia that eventually becomes reality, the refrain, in pure Trust the Mask style, lets us glimpse the light at the end of the tunnel. Overflowing with waves of analog synths, incisive drums and snares from the 80’s, ‘Otaku’ is accompanied with a mesmerising visual, draped in mysticism. Another delectable taste and tease of their upcoming debut album Idiom which is layered with experimentation and concise, creative chaos, encapsulating the allure of the alien and the avant-garde in perfect precision.
Emerging from their conceptual cocoon back in 2021 they began their journey with the hypnotic, tribal debut ‘Solstice Ritual’, the undulating ‘Cloudy Again’ and later in 2022, the luscious ’Opaque’ and the bracing ‘Crisis’. Much more than merely an intriguing artist name and on the contrary to the usual facade of traditional mask wearing, Trust the Mask do not hide behind their face coverings. Intertwined into the very essence of their being, these beautifully crafted headpieces breathe life into another entity entirely.
With expression, symbolism and hidden messages carved into the core of their artistry, both the music and the imagery possessed by this curious duo work in tandem. A glorious symbiosis, feeding into one another, cultivating a depth of connection and understanding between audience and artist which is extraordinarily rare.
Again, co-written with electronic producer Matteo Vallicelli from The Soft Moon/4AD then mixed and mastered by Maurizio Baggio (Boy Harsher). ‘Otaku’ is an incredibly exciting, exotic and utterly exhilarating instalment of their upcoming debut album project ‘Idiom’.