The alternative rock band Cardinals drops Barbed Wire, the first single produced by Shrink for their Masquerade project. Stream the new song and music video now. Listen, stream, buy the track, mp3 download.
Cardinals announces the arrival of a new era with the release of their single and music video, Barbed Wire. This track serves as the first official preview of the band’s forthcoming project, Masquerade, scheduled for release next February. The single, produced by the acclaimed Shrink, landed on all platforms under the band’s new exclusive license with So Young Records. This move signals a definitive next chapter for the group, known for its visceral blend of rock intensity and lyrical craftsmanship. The Australian-born quartet, formed over a decade ago, has built a reputation for projects that function as complete artistic statements rather than mere collections of songs. Their previous work, The Glare, received notable critical attention for its conceptual depth and propelled them onto several major festival lineups across Europe and North America. Barbed Wire continues this tradition of thematic ambition, presenting a raw, three-minute glimpse into the larger narrative world of Masquerade. The accompanying music video, directed by a longtime visual collaborator, amplifies the song’s tense and confrontational atmosphere with stark, arresting imagery.
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The band’s history is marked by a deliberate evolution. Cardinals first garnered a dedicated following through relentless touring and a series of self-released EPs that captured their chaotic early energy. Their signing to an independent label and the subsequent release of their debut album marked a period of refinement, where their sound coalesced into something darker and more controlled. The partnership with producer Shrink, known for his work with innovative guitar-driven acts, represents a conscious step toward honing their most aggressive and atmospheric tendencies. Barbed Wire showcases this sharpened focus. The track builds on the foundation of their earlier achievements while pushing into newer, more dissonant territories. The single’s release strategy, bypassing traditional rollout patterns in favor of a sudden announcement, reflects the band’s current preference for direct, unmediated communication with their audience. For Cardinals, Barbed Wire is not just a new song but a declaration of intent for the Masquerade project, promising a complex exploration of performance, restraint, and revelation.
Cardinals – Barbed Wire
From the “Masquerade” project coming next February
Produced by Shrink
November 24, 2026
1 song, 3 minutes
℗ 2026 Cardinals under exclusive license to So Young Records
Watch Music Video
