For Masque, music has never been background noise. It’s been a lifeline. On January 9, the Hawaii-based rock artist releases his new single “Save Me, Lady Gaga,” a deeply personal track that transforms admiration into empowerment and pain into purpose.

Masque traces the roots of that connection back to 2013, when Lady Gaga’s Artpop arrived during one of the darkest periods of his life. While everything else felt unstable, music became the force pulling him forward. That relationship deepened again in 2020, when isolation pushed many inward and music became, in his words, a shining lighthouse.

Sonically, Masque operates outside expectations. His sound is darker and moodier than what typically dominates Hawaii’s airwaves, yet that contrast helped shape him. The island’s inherent sense of joy now acts as a counterweight, balancing the emotional gravity of his songwriting and giving his music a unique push-and-pull between heaviness and release.

Lady Gaga’s presence in “Save Me, Lady Gaga” is symbolic rather than literal. To Masque, she represents someone who endured darkness and emerged into the light, leading by example. That journey gave him the courage to speak openly about his own identity and emotions, while still forging a voice that remains distinctly his.

That duality extends to his visual identity. The mask Masque wears on stage is a metaphor rooted in lived experience. After years of hiding his identity and suppressing emotion, he now trades a figurative mask for a literal one. Paradoxically, it allows him to be more open, while serving as a physical reminder of a past defined by concealment. Different masks, colors, and styles reflect shifting moods, turning performance into emotional language.

Lyrically, the new single traces a clear arc from vulnerability toward confidence, mirroring Masque’s own growth. That balance wasn’t accidental. It was cultivated over time, nurturing confidence until it could coexist with honesty. Even when addressing deeply personal themes, Masque avoids heavy-handedness, always asking how to communicate truth while keeping the song engaging for the listener.

Recognition for Midnight Flames, which earned a nomination for Best Rock Album at the 2025 Hoku Awards, reinforced that path. It validated his decision to commit fully to his own flavor of rock music and continue pushing forward.

As an openly gay rock artist, Masque keeps his work personal by focusing on what is uniquely his. He believes every story in the LGBTQ+ community is different, and the most meaningful connections come from specificity and openness.

Arriving January 9, “Save Me, Lady Gaga” isn’t just a new release. It’s a statement of faith, resilience, and belief in the light at the end of the tunnel, even when it can’t yet be seen.