NEW YORK—Porches announced a new mixtape on Thursday. The release is titled MASK. It will be available next week. This marks the artist’s latest musical output. Aaron Maine, the man behind Porches, also co-wrote a Kim Petras single. The new Porches mixtape MASK continues his exploration of existential dread. The announcement came with a new single. It is called “Habit.” A visual accompanied the single. Rebekah Campbell directed the visual. The artwork for MASK was also revealed. It features a blurry self-portrait. Maine’s face is obscured by a literal mask. It looks like a basic Halloween mask. It is the kind found in a discount store. The mask is a pale white color. It has crudely drawn black eyeholes. This signifies the artist’s feeling of being unseen. Or perhaps it signifies his intentional choice to be unseen. The purpose of the MASK mixtape remains unclear. Early listeners reported feeling nothing. Others reported feeling profoundly sad. Maine himself has been elusive. He has not commented on the tape’s meaning. His publicist released a vague statement. “MASK is about the masks we wear,” it read. “Sometimes the mask is the face.” This is a common sentiment. It is especially common among indie musicians.
The Sound of Nothing
The single “Habit” features Maine’s signature hushed vocals. The music is sparse. It consists of a repeating synth line. A distant drum machine provides rhythm. Lyrical themes include loneliness. They also include the inability to connect. “I can’t stop this habit,” Maine whispers. He seems to be referring to releasing music. Or perhaps he is referring to feeling sad. It is hard to tell. This adds to the mystery of MASK. Many fans are eager to hear more. They want to understand the artist’s psyche. “I just hope it’s sad enough,” said fan Brenda Millerson. Millerson is the self-appointed president of the Porches Sadness Society. “I need something to cry to. Something to stare blankly at the ceiling to.” The mixtape is expected to be popular. Especially among people who own too many black turtlenecks.
A Masterpiece of Obscurity
The album art for MASK is also a talking point. It has been described as deeply unsettling. It has also been called “just kind of there.” The visual for “Habit” shows Maine walking alone. He walks down a dimly lit street. He seems to be avoiding eye contact with the camera. This is a bold artistic choice. It is a choice that screams “artistic integrity.” Or perhaps it screams “I forgot to comb my hair.” The overall effect is one of profound alienation. This is a recurring theme in Maine’s work. He also explored this in his previous albums. The mixtape title MASK reinforces this theme. It suggests a hidden self. Or perhaps just a generic face. You can stream the single “Habit” on Spotify. You can also find it on other major platforms. Porches is expected to tour soon. Dates have not yet been announced. Fans are encouraged to wear masks to the shows. It is unclear if this is a requirement. Or just a suggestion.
At press time, Maine was reportedly seen buying a new mask. It was a plain white porcelain mask. It cost him $4.99 at a novelty shop.
This article is satirical fiction by Badum.ai. All quotes, people, and events described are entirely fictional and intended for comedic purposes only.
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