MS MR
| Company type | Musical duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Music (indie pop, alternative rock, dream pop, dark wave) |
| Website | msmrmusic |
MS MR (pronounced Miz Mister) was an American pop duo based in New York, consisting of singer Lizzy Plapinger and producer Max Hershenow. The pair were affiliated with record labels Iamsound, Kitsuné, and Columbia Records. Additionally, Plapinger played a key role in founding the independent label Neon Gold Records, which operates in both New York City and London. Their musical style combined elements of indie pop, alternative rock, dream pop, and dark wave.
Career
Following their graduation from Vassar College in 2010, MS MR introduced a four-track digital demo EP titled Ghost City USA in 2011. This was succeeded by the release of singles "Hurricane" and "Fantasy" in 2012. The music video for "Hurricane" premiered on April 26, 2012, with the single becoming available on iTunes on July 10, 2012. The song received praise for its retro-inspired sound and reached number 38 on the German charts.
"Hurricane" was included in their initial EP, Candy Bar Creep Show, which was released on September 14, 2012. This EP also featured tracks such as "Bones," "Dark Doo Wop," and "Ash Tree Lane." The video for their follow-up single "Fantasy" was unveiled on February 4, 2013; upon its March release, the track was selected as iTunes Single of the Week.
Their first full-length album, Secondhand Rapture, launched on May 10, 2013, incorporating all four songs from their earlier EP. On July 17, 2015, MS MR released their sophomore album titled How Does It Feel. After a series of tours throughout 2016, the duo went on hiatus in January 2017 as Plapinger shifted focus to her solo career under the name LPX.
On August 7, 2023, MS MR revealed through social media a forthcoming single called "Saturn Return," which was released on September 6. This track represents their final offering as a duo.
The duo’s sound has been likened to artists such as Florence and the Machine, Lana Del Rey, and Kavinsky. Although Plapinger spent her upbringing in London, she maintains an American accent due to her American parentage and international education.
Discography
- Secondhand Rapture (2013)
- How Does It Feel (2015)