Mal Not Bad shares new single and accompanying video for ‘Life’
Their debut album This Is Your New Life is scheduled for release on August 9th via Same Same.
Mal Not Bad has shared their new single ‘Life’ – the final taster of their debut album This Is Your New Life, out August 9th via Same Same. From its stabs of warbling guitars and distorted synths to its juddering percussion, the new single provides another tantalizing glimpse into their forthcoming full-length, accompanied by a “climbing-inspired” video made in conjunction with director of photography Seannie Bryan (Weyes Blood, Blondshell).
Speaking on the release of the new single ‘Life’ and its accompanying visuals, Mal said:
“Loss makes room for growth in a way that the two feel one-in-the-same — that point of the circle that starts again. The lyrics reflect on relationships — to ones we love, to our own inner turmoil + mental health, to our relationship with death and life itself.
“My good friend and collaborator, Madi Vogt, who changed the trajectory of ‘Life’ with their drum performance on the track, described these concepts so beautifully – ‘You’re hearing this person battle and all along there’s nothing they can do except decide how much they let it dictate their inner chaos. They can try to run away from it or toward it but it’s always there. It’s the relationship to it that matters and that they have a say not in the situation itself, but the emotions surrounding it.
“Visually, similar to the artistic process of turning sketches into studies and ultimately into the final piece, I feel like this video had a similar journey — adding to the spirit of the song, reshaping itself, and growing deeper with every iteration. The original idea came from slow shutter photos I took of my friend Nate climbing on some rocks [the sketch]. That turned into a slow shutter-based abstract piece I made with Seannie in my driveway [the study] with some climbing holds on a reflective surface. The final video remains simple — it intentionally leaves meanings open-ended for the viewer to reflect based on where they are currently at. For example – the outfit can symbolize what one might wear for their wedding, at a funeral, for a baby shower, in their casket, etc. The backpack can be a symbol of generational trauma, emotional weight, etc. The running can be toward or away from your problems, fears, etc. The climbing could be the in-between of working through it all and feeling stuck at times but hopefully climbing to new points that are higher up.”
Self-produced and recorded by Mal Not Bad in their home in the Melrose District of Los Angeles, This Is Your New Life features instrumental contributions from saxophonist Henry Solomon (known for his work with HAIM), drummer Madi Vogt (Kim Gordon, Lauren Mayberry) and keys from Sam Weber, with the album mastered and co-mixed by James Krausse (Beyoncé, Porches) and John Lowell Anderson (Margaret Glaspy, Lindsey Buckingham).
Speaking more on the upcoming release of their debut full-length, Mal Not Bad said:
“This record is a blossoming of a new chapter. Instead of swimming under chaos, ‘This Is Your New Life’ zooms out and above, coming from more of a settled state of knowing oneself – of seeing patterns and learning which ones are worth keeping, which ones define us, and which ones we want to change. There are songs on the album that serve as reminders of the familiar patterns I see, hear, and feel in myself but come from a more patient, grounded place. Sonically, they don’t seek to push so hard – instead embrace those comfortable, familiar roots and find a way to enhance what’s special about them.
“It’s a blossoming of sonic universes for me too – taking instruments and creative approaches that are comfortably rooted in me and pushing them to the places I want to go and see and hear. Similarly with the visuals – taking what I know and exploring what I want to learn more about, within myself as a creative and the art itself.”
Mal Not Bad’s debut album This Is Your New Life will be released on 9th August. New single ‘Life’ is out now.
Connect with Mal Not Bad:
Stay up to date with The Daily Music Report’s latest music news & releases. Check out the most exciting and important music news here.
Wait! Before you leave, we’d like to share something important with you. Our site is an independent, small platform that is committed to providing valuable content without any pesky ads. However, to keep the site running smoothly and continue delivering quality content, we rely on the generous support of users like you.
By contributing a small donation, you can help us maintain our ad-free environment and ensure that our site remains a reliable resource for everyone. Your support matters and makes a significant difference in our ability to thrive and grow.
Thank you for being a part of our community, and we truly value your support!
To make a donation, please click here: Buy us a beer!