There’s a trace of liberation present in chaos. Sometimes, being thrown into it helps us see ourselves more clearly — how we fit within it, and how we learn to move through it. Masego‘s new single “Unhinged” captures this feeling as he navigates through heartbreak after the demise of a relationship.
Anchored by brassy horns and a funky bassline, the lively instrumentation on “Unhinged” acts as a form of emotional support while Masego processes love lost and anticipates what’s next.
“Okay, maybe I’m unhinged / Kick my ass up off a hinge / Open doors, I can’t get in / I just wanna make new friends,” he sings.
Speaking on his new single, Masego shares, “The heart of ‘Unhinged’ comes from a place that feels like home to me — the jam session. It’s the environment where I feel the most free, the most honest. The kind of freedom that feels like play. What I love about jam sessions is how much they reflect life. They’re imperfect, full of inside jokes and accidents that turn into art. You can’t always explain why something works – it just feels right.”
He continues, “I had just gone through a breakup and didn’t quite feel like myself, so I surrounded myself with sound and people who reminded me of who l was. After a breakup, people reinvent themselves. Some change their hair; I grew my beard. Tried new oils, new routines – maybe trying to become someone the old me couldn’t be hurt again.”
“Unhinged” is Masego’s first solo release since his 2023 self-titled album. The project, issued via EQT Recordings/Capitol Records, featured the singles “You Never Visit Me,” “Two Sides (I’m So Gemini)” and “Say You Want Me.”
“Though the album is very lush and has its elements that people are familiar with, I think what’s different about this album is the depth of vulnerability that I got,” Masego told Rated R&B of his self-titled LP.
Since then, Masego has collaborated with several artists, including Destin Conrad (“Super Paradise”), Sango (“Masego’s Interlude”), Leon Thomas (“Lucid Dreams”), IAMDDB (“Rasta Pasta”), Rory (“Off Road”) and others.
Stream Masego’s new song “Unhinged” below.