Marla Mase - Infinite They Went (2025)

MARLA MASE is a writer/performer/producer/singer/songwriter from New York City. She writes songs, plays, monologues, short stories, erotica, blogs, and poems. Known for her gutsy, sexy, raw performance style and her intelligent lyrics, Marla is regarded by her peers and fans as a true musical pioneer. Her songs, a mix of punk, funk, spoken word and classic rock-n-roll are infused with GLOBAL SOUL, the signature sound of her Brooklyn based record label True Groove Records. Marla is co-founder of True Groove Records, cited as being NYC’s fastest rising record label, along with her partner/collaborator Tomás Doncker.

This Marla Mase showcase arrived as vinyl & it’s pristine sounding. Wonderful to hear that impactful aura again when a good cartridge hits the groove & unleashes the miraculous music contained within.

These are 11 songs written by Ms. Mase (vocals/string arrangements) & Tomas Doncker with one cover by the late Lou Reed which makes this listening compelling. It starts with entertaining musical intensity. Mase has a good theatrically-oriented voice & projects with authority. The songs (“Things That Scare Me”) are arranged for maximum visuals even when there is no visual during a mere listen to the album.

Infinite They Went is Marla’s 9th — produced by Tomas (guitars/bass/keys/vocals) with James Dellatacoma (guitars/bass/vocals/programming). Mase applies a good application of backup singers & groove intensified music. She has a somewhat Christine Ohlman approach (“The Deep End”) that’s evident with the effects-loaded ballad “Falling Sideways” which was produced smartly with cleverness & not foolishness. Mase covers several bases through her music & gets wildly funky & beat-heavy on “All Fall Short” which has a Debbie Harry (Blondie) rocking thrust. Quite creative.

With “A Gun,” Mase brilliantly cruises into the late Mary Weiss territory (The Shangri-Las) since that classic ‘60s girl group often explored dark subjects. Darker than many female groups of that era. They managed to have hits like “Leader of the Pack” & “Dressed In Black.” A group that influenced the late Amy Winehouse & Lana Del Rey.

Mase’s vocals are also exceptional. She doesn’t come across as a novelty act or campy. It’s her authoritative tone, range & propulsive approach to an older genre that smokes. She simply makes it all sound — brand new. She’s a singer who captivates with her affirming vocal expertise. Some songs, despite her vocal strength, provide a vulnerable juvenile charm which makes the songs sound even more plausible. Her balladry is just as potent as her big production numbers. Proving her diversification with a viable cover of the Lou Reed chestnut “Satellite of Love.”

Some lyrics, not all, could stand a little less cliché rhyme obsession (“Always”) to bring the quality of the words up to the level of the majority of the fine music & performances.