Thomas Arsenault, who performs as Mas Ysa, returns today with "Margarita," his latest blend of gleaming electronics and uncontainable explosions of raw feeling. (Sample lyric: "Don't you leave us too young!") Arsenault plays with new textures on the track by incorporating a saxophone. He toys with the conventions of the sax solo here, first picking the horn riff apart note by note, then burying it underneath an avalanche of synthesizer before finally allowing it to gain momentum.
It turns out that "Margarita" is inspired by the singer's mom. "There is something soothing about yelling my Mother's name on stage," Arsenault tells FADER. "Even in the middle of a long run of shows, stage fright can really swell in me unexpectedly. She is such a source of kindness and light that sort of summoning her helps, 'cause she shows up."
"Margarita" will appear on Seraph, Mas Ysa's debut full-length. Look for that on July 24. Read FADER's Gen F profile of Mas Ysa here, and check out his tour dates with Tanlines below.
5/13 Brooklyn, NY - Rough Trade
5/14 New York, NY - The Bowery Ballroom
5/22 Mayer, AZ - Forms Arcosanti
6/26 Millvale, PA - Mr Smalls Theater
6/27 Columbus, OH - The Grog Shop
6/28 Ferndale, MI - The Loving Touch
6/29 Cincinnati, OH - Madison Live in
7/01 St. Louis, MO -Firebird
7/02 Lincoln, NE - Vega
7/03 Denver, CO - Larmirer Lounge
7/05 Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge
7/07 Vancouver, BC - Electric Owl
7/08 Seattle, WA - Neumos
7/09 Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios
7/11 San Francisco, CA - Phono Del Sol
7/14 Santa Ana, CA - The Observatory
7/15 Phoenix, AZ - Valley Bar
7/17 Austin, TX - Red 7
7/18 Dallaz, TX - Club Dada
7/19 Housotn, TX - Fitzgerald's
7/21 Atlanta, GA - The Earl
7/22 Ashville, NC - The Mothlight
7/23 Washington, DC - U Street Music Hall
7/24 Philadelphia, PA - Voyeur
7/25 Cambridge, MA - The Sinclair
Thumbnail Credit: Harry Gould Harvey IV
