MAS YSA

Worth EP

2014-03-20

Montreal native Thomas Arsenault began writing electronic music while living in São Paulo, Brazil during his high school years. He went on to study music composition at Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Oberlin, Ohio. Arsenault began making music under the name Mas Ysa (MAAS ee-sa) in 2012. He was signed by Downtown Records in 2013, just before his single "Why" was released. Pitchfork named it the week's "Best New Track." Mas Ysa's Worth EP was released February 4, 2014. It opens with the electronic prelude "Vanya". "Why" features Arsenault's breathy falsetto which lingers above electronic beats, pauses, and then breaks back into the track with vocal intensity. The track features Mas Ysa's use of silence, synth and distortion. The following track, "David Wessels," focuses on dream-like, aqua sounds and moves seamlessly into "Life Way Up From," which is a dissonant, dialogue driven track. The title track "Worth" creates a feeling of unease with the use of uneven guitar mixed with what sounds like distorted waves or wind. "Shame" is an incredible track that bursts with sonic tension using emotional and decibel variance, both in vocals and insturmentation.
 - Richard Martin

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Rock

  • reviewed 05/2008

    Wonderbelly
    The Away Team Is Dead

  • reviewed 01/2005

    Shivaree
    Who's Got Trouble?

  • reviewed 12/1969

    JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 POUND UNIT
    JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 POUND UNIT

  • reviewed 02/2016

    Waco Brothers
    Going Down In History

  • reviewed 06/2017

    My Record Player
    Come Around

  • reviewed 10/2008

    THE UGLYSUIT
    - The Uglysuit

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.