The Makin Waves Song of the Week is the title track from “If the World Is Ending,” the latest album by Asbury Park singer-songwriter Renee Maskin. PHOTO BY JOHN DECKER
Beloved Asbury Park singer-songwriter Renee Maskin recently dropped "If the World Is Ending," her fifth LP since 2022.
The title track is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “If the World Is Ending” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on Oct. 23 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin, Mixcloud and RadioJersey.
The new LP is a mashup of Americana, country, indie and art rock. Recorded at Yung Bull Studios in Brick with co-producer/engineer Rudy Meier, who also provided much of the instrumentation, “If The World Is Ending” channels the uncertainty of our times with"Where Are We Now,” “Western Shores” and "Am I Lost.” Yet, the title track, as well as a tune entitled "Better Day,” offers hope for the future.
Also contributing to the album are Renee’s former band member Tony Aichele, now based out of Nashville, who plays pedal steel, electric guitar and resonator guitar on several songs, as well as Asbury Park heavy hitters Joe Lucarelli on upright bass and Santo Rizzolo on drums and percussion.
Steeped in country and folk, the record as a whole is expansive, with lush keys, echoing banjos, and swelling guitars. You can hear Renee's signature edgy Americana style and sound, as well as Rudy's adventurous ear as well.
Renee released nearly half of the nine-song album as singles, starting in June with “Western Shores.”
You can hear much the album, as well as songs from Renee’s acclaimed previous LPs, on Nov. 6, Belmar Arts; Jan. 10, Middletown Arts Center; Jan. 21, Collective Creativity, Keyport; Feb. 6, The Starving Artist, Stockton, and Feb. 18, Toms River Arts.
Renee also will play with her trio, The Wilder Tide on Oct. 31 at Asbury Park Porchfest; Nov. 7, Wild Air Beerworks, also Asbury Park; Nov. 14, Old Franklin Schoolhouse, Metuchen, and Jan. 30, Chubby Pickle, Highlands.
“The Wilder Tide are doing great,” Renee said. “We're in the process of finishing our full EP for 2027, and we're playing plenty of gigs around Asbury Park. We've been busy writing and making jokes and neck deep in general band member nonsense.”
Check out “If The World Is Ending” on Apple Music and Spotify.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and Instagram and contact Bob at [email protected].
Friday, October 23, 2026
@ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
Tuckerton, NJ
There are multiple performances including:
Friday, October 23, 2026
@ 7:30pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
Manasquan, NJ
Friday, October 23, 2026
@ 7:30pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
Carteret, NJ
There are multiple performances including:
Friday, October 23, 2026
@ 7:30pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre)
Princeton, NJ
There are multiple performances including:
Friday, October 23, 2026
@ 7:30pm
Kean Stage - Enlow Recital Hall
Hillside, NJ
