REVIEW: Sex Mask - Body Broker

Aussie absurdists SEX MASK brood beautifully on their debut EP Body Broker, with angsty synths complimenting their raw lyrics that muse on the darker parts of life. Over four tracks, they introduce a gothic indie soundscape, seeped in 80s goth influence, creating the perfect soundtrack to a walk home when 4pm darkness starts to get into your head. 

Body Broker opens with lead single Cold, a pretty gothic track apparently written when vocalist WRY GRAY was hospitalised after eating frogs and crabs from Japan’s stormwater drains. It’s a pining, spacey track wherein GRAY's vocals strike as being born in singing indie pop over 80s industrial; the worries of this mix melt away as the muttered harmonies in the bridge ring out. 

To follow is Blisters, which features NOAH LEARMONTH of RADIO FREE ALICE, who they’re concluding a tour with on release day with a sold out London date. Blisters is a true show of GRAY's raw lyricism, covering themes of purposeful isolation and using substances to cope. The hook “I gave up on giving up” is haunting in the song’s climax, matched with the crackly synths throughout that compliment the stop/start chord progression on the guitars; KAYA MARTIN compliments herself perfectly.

Curse is the penultimate track, and is the standout on a first listen with its energy boost and equal parts spooky and angsty soundscape. While the dictation in the vocals is spotty, the use of light screeching vocals in the bridge and chorus is well placed variety for the EP and harmonises well with the backing vocals. The guitars get more technical and layered throughout, and the choice to sink the screeching vocals within the instruments and synths adds and attention to detail that makes the track stand out. 

To close is Dirt, which is initially a hard sell with the folk-rock-style “Huh Hey” to open it, and the vocals falling more into an indie style. This said, the instrumentals are the most guitar focused, creating a piece that feels like SHE WANTS REVENGE mixed with JAKE BUGG - this is a compliment with how well the two mix together throughout Dirt. The main critique would be the hard stop that ends Body Broker which feels abrupt as the tracks to this point have flowed into each other more intentionally. 

Body Broker is an encouraging genesis for SEX MASK and a perfect addition to a goth’s winter playlist, brooding and angsty while maintaining raw feeling in its lyricism. The only critique that could be levied at Body Broker would be some more variation in VINCENTE MONCADA’s drumming, but even this is balanced with how great their production has turned out. 

Score: 9/10  

Body Broker was released on 26th November 2025 via Unpopular Recordings.

Words: Julia Brunton

Photos: Carlin Stephenson