What does it mean to grieve for a loved one who is still alive? Moorea Masa & The Mood’s new album “Heart In The Wild: Side A” is an exquisite and heart-wrenching journey through Masa’s relationship with her estranged mother, a queer Black woman suffering from debilitating mental illness. Written and produced against a backdrop of global anguish and civil unrest in 2020, this record captures an unflinching intimacy that feels like sharing sacred moments with a lifelong friend. Moorea Masa & The Mood perform live at The Lyric Theatre with guest artist Rachel Mazer on Friday May 27th at 7:00 PM.
Masa delivers exquisitely emotional vocal performances, directly addressing her mother in warm, velvety tones accompanied by lush beds of harmonies and dreamlike textures. These are songs that reflect the personal qualities that Masa embodies. “Lion” shows her fierce loyalty and desire to protect women and other marginalized folks, “Butterfly” expresses her transcendent and transformative nature, and “Until Then” is a diary of loving someone no matter if they’re mentally able to truly love you back.