Bananarama release new single 'Favourite' and announce 12th studio album 'Masquerade' will be out in July

Iconic duo Bananarama (Keren Woodward and Sara Dallin) celebrate their 40th anniversary in music this year and the celebrations kick off today with the release of the new single ‘Favourite’ which will be followed by their 12th studio album Masquerade , due to be released on 22 July. Also coming up are a series of live shows, with more anniversary themed surprises promised later in the year.

‘Favourite’ is a delicious slice of electro-synth pop with a dash of melancholy weaving through the addictive beats with the lyrics describing the anguish of being ghosted by a former lover . ‘No longer am I your flavour of the month / Say it to my face now, tell me the truth for once….I won't be chasing / You won't find a better replacement’ they sing.

The track was written by Dallin’s daughter, singer-songwriter Alice D and Oscar Scheller and originally appeared on Alice’s 2018 EP Narcissus. Bananarama have ramped up the pace and given the song a shimmering makeover while retaining the perfect melodies and moodiness of the original. Alice also provides backing vocals on the track and has collaborated on further tracks on Masquerade.

"It's just a brilliant pop song," Woodward says. "We've done a different take on it but with Alice on backing vocals because we couldn't not use her ad libs, they're just too good."

Masquerade will be released on 22 July on limited edition blue and red vinyl as well as on cassette, CD and digital. Produced by long term collaborator Ian Masterson, it was originally conceived as an EP until the covid lockdowns of 2020 saw their live performances cancelled, allowing them to continue working on the collection. “I love writing songs it’s probably my favourite part,” Dallin says. “Shutting myself away and coming up with ideas and then telling a story in less than 4 minutes, it really is quite an art.”

The title of the album and title track was born from the wave of social protests and discourse that swept the world over the last two years. “When I was in lockdown, there were a lot of conversations happening to do with inclusivity, diversity and gender and racial equality," Dallin says. "And that kind of led to this idea of 'masquerade': how you present yourself in different ways depending on the situation, but really, you just want people to live how they want to live. It's a song we're really very proud of."

Bananarama are one of the most successful all-female bands ever - in their home country they have had more hit singles than any other all female group - and have had smash hit singles in every corner of the globe, including the US. They are one of the most influential acts to emerge from the 1980s post-punk scene, with their DIY ethos inspiring multiple singers to follow their lead, including the Spice Girls, All Saints and many more. Despite being told by an interviewer in their 1980s hey day “we were pushing 30 and we were getting a bit old to make music,” Bananarama have now maintained their phenomenal success over four decades with no sign of letting up. With a never ending creativity, and an almost supernatural ability to create feel good, first class pop music Masquerade is set to be one of 2022’s joys. Until it’s release, soak up the brilliance of ‘Favourite’ below.

‘Favourite’ is out now. You can download and stream here.

Masquerade will be released on 22 July. You can pre-order and pre-save here.

Bananarama are performing live across the UK from June. Find out more info and buy tickets here.

To keep up with all things Bananarama you can follow them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.