MAL DE MER SHARE NEW SINGLE & VIDEO ‘MIRAGE’ LIFTED FROM NEW EP ‘SANGUINE’ SET FOR JULY RELEASE
Potent Perth collective Mal de Mer have released a brand new single Mirage, a slinky, funked-up fantasy that’ll tap shoes far and wide. Alongside the bustling frivolity of the new tune, Mal de Mer have also announced an accompanying video for Mirage, with both the song and video marking the final alluring glimpse into the group’s brand new EP Sanguine which will officially drop on July 8 and is available to presave now.
Mirage continues Mal de Mer’s penchant for defying genres and expectations, with atomic glimmer and grooving shimmer pulsing through the veins of the brand new track. Inspired by the likes of Parcels, Anderson .Paak and Lil Nas X, Mirage is permeated by jangly keys, wiry basslines, bright guitars and sun-soaked melodics alongside the striking stylings of vocalist Saskia Fleming. Brandishing a bittersweet narrative beneath infectious instrumentals, Mirage diverges slightly from the six-piece’s earlier funk roots, embracing lashings of electronic pop amongst their trademark wiles, while also acting as a must-have anthem to blast in your car (windows down) after a bad day or that breakup.
And while Mirage acts as the final peek into the impending EP, Sanguine, the song’s origin story stems from an extremely quick creation, as drummer James Marelich explains, “It’s always a great feeling finishing music and finally releasing it, but this one feels especially surreal as we only wrote it a couple of months ago! Watching it transform from an idea into a full-fledged piece of music so quickly has been awesome”. And elaborating on the track’s fantastical moniker and thematics, vocalist Saskia says, “Mirage is a nonchalant narration of leaving someone that you should have left a long time ago. To me, this song feels like a shower argument – you get to speak your truth, uninterrupted, and finally put that person in their place”.
Working with long-time Mal De Mer visual collaborator Sarah Gelmi on the video for Mirage, the resulting filmclip is a comical ode to farewelling a lousy relationship. Expanding on the visual inspiration behind the video, Saskia says, “The video is a satirical send up of leaving a crappy relationship – it taps into the joy of moving on and looking back with relief.”
Mal de Mer teamed up with Broderick Madden-Scott on mixing and producing duties, and Joe Carra on mastering for their upcoming sophomore EP Sanguine. Set for release July 8, the group are poised to truly encapsulate the buoyant and transformative notions of the EP’s moniker, as Saskia adds, “Sanguine as a body of work follows the disorienting journey out of a toxic situation, and the metamorphosis that takes place afterwards. I reckon the theme of Sanguine is best encapsulated by the definition of its title: optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation”.
Mirage is out now.
Sanguine is out July 8 and available to presave now.
CHRISTIAN RUIZ SHARES NEW SINGLE + VIDEO ‘MISS YOU’
Glossy artist and producer Christian Ruiz has shared Miss You; an effervescent slice of soothing electronic pop released today, June 15. A track detailing unexpected connections alongside calm hooks and airy vocals, as well as Christian’s debut single as a solo artist, Miss You is also accompanied by a music video to dynamically transport you into Christian’s magnetic creative world.
Miss You bubbles with warm electronic instrumentation, hypnotic rhythmics and Christian’s buoyant delivery throughout, morphing hints of The Weeknd, Ryan Tedder and Justin Bieber beneath Christian’s fresh charm; a fact made even more cohesive with mastering on the single by Colin Leonard who has previously worked alongside Justin Bieber, as well as Beyonce, Paul McCartney and Migos. Equally melodic, sentimental and irresistibly passionate, Miss You also showcases a resounding narrative, centred around accidental meetings, apprehension and, finally, acceptance, as Christian elaborates, “It’s about finding someone you didn’t expect to come across, knowing you have a strong connection with them, but being too afraid to admit it and then denying it.”
The film clip for Miss You enhances the delicate subject matter and swooning arrangements, with Christian editing, co-producing and co-directing the video alongside cinematographer Joshua Menzel. Perfectly reflecting the shift in mood and lyrics throughout the glistening tune, from gnawing negativity to ultimate acceptance, the clip places Christian firmly on display as he personally moves through the emotive journey towards an optimistic conclusion, as he elaborates, “The basic concept of the clip is me being in a desolate place, struggling to get through life and being transported to a dark place with a build up of thoughts. But it has a positive ending which brings authenticity to the song’s honest meaning.”
Mixed by Liam Quinn (Rita Ora, Ruel, Illy), Miss You may mark the first official chapter in Christian’s solo artistic adventure, but he’s certainly no stranger to the musical realms, starting from a young age when he was drawn to teaching himself how to record and produce, before moving on to work as a producer and, finally, arriving at his dream pathway in 2022: creating and releasing his own music. Prior to unveiling Miss You, Christian produced hip hop music, and had travelled to Los Angeles and Atlanta to work with artists and producers, leading to him being offered a contract with the godfather of trap music Zaytoven (Usher, The Weeknd, Drake, Young Thug, 21 Savage). But with a door unexpectedly closing, having to return back home to Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some soul-searching ultimately revealed to Christian an open and extremely ready creative window; and one he is ready to share with the world, as he explains, “It feels exciting and scary at the same time to release something so close to my heart. I hope that people will relate and resonate with what I have created.”
Miss You is out today, June 15.
LOCAL THE NEIGHBOUR ANNOUNCES NEW SINGLE + VIDEO ‘POINT GUARD’
Melbourne-via-Darwin artist Local the Neighbour returns today with a shimmering new single Point Guard. An affably effortless outing from a seasoned musician, Point Guard pays tribute to loved ones and connections as Local the Neighbour, aka jazz-drummer-turned-indie-rock-connoisseur David Quested, explores personal thematics and jangly melodics with nimble flair. Amping up the optimism and wholesome feels, Local the Neighbour has also today released a Super 8 charmer, with the track’s accompanying music video perfectly capturing Point Guard’s endearing themes and vibes.
Point Guard bustles with plush reverb, driving beats and creamy vocals courtesy of David himself, calling to mind the effortless ease of Gang of Youths while also deftly showcasing David’s soft gravelled croon. Entirely self-produced with mastering courtesy of Huntley Miller, who has also mastered albums for some of David’s heroes Hippo Campus and Bon Iver, Point Guard is a glistening blend of congenial modernity and measured laidback ease as David continues to sharpen his blossoming adoration and innate knack for indie music. Infusing glowing sincerity stemming directly from David’s own experiences, Point Guard takes the lead as a fun, friendly and frothy offering that is equal parts relatable and irresistible. Of the track’s personal exploration into relationships and vulnerability, “Point Guard is about the gratitude and hopes you have for your loved one. To me it’s about my girlfriend, but at the end of the day it’s about anyone you love and find comfort in being vulnerable with – whether it be a friend, partner, family, or stranger on the street. For me it’s tough to do that, so I’m glad I have someone I can do that with!”
The video for Point Guard perfectly complements this genial intent, with the single’s music video bringing nostalgic home movie visuals to the table. Made entirely by David and his girlfriend, and complete with karaoke-ready bouncing ball lyrics, the clip follows an adorable narrative complete with dogs, waterfalls, sun-drenched trees and David and his girlfriend living their best peaceful lives. With real-life love on full display, it’s impossible not to fall head over heels even more for Local the Neighbour’s new single and clip, which was inspired not only by relationships but also a passion for antiques, as David explains, “The song is about my girlfriend, and for my birthday and Christmas (they’re very close together) last year, she and some friends and family bought me a vintage Super 8 camera. I love old things and the history they have, so it felt really fitting to run a bunch of film through it and create a music video with that camera, documenting parts of our lives at the time.”
Originally growing up in Darwin before moving to Melbourne to study music, David’s significant background in jazz has seen him study at both the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) and at UCLA in Los Angeles alongside the likes of Clayton Cameron (Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr) and George Bohanon (Earth, Wind & Fire), while also performing with ARIA award-winning jazz musicians and appearing as a feature artist in the 2021 Melbourne International Jazz Festival. Fusing his infatuation with the boundless creativity of jazz with his ultimate musical passion, indie rock, David brings a sharp execution to his expertly-crafted new material under the Local the Neighbour moniker; an effortless lesson in technicality with an everyman charm that offers a musical companion to those needing hope in life’s less-than-rosy moments.
Point Guard is out today.