Mundane is the third single and the latest offering from Mali’s upcoming album. The brilliant synth-pop intro immediately draws us into the song. As the song glides by, her velvety voice carries away the entire track like a breeze. Every element of the production, from the electronic to the acoustic elements is a triumphant execution.
Listen to Mundane now – https://spoti.fi/38cE1Ax
The song is about the choice that was presented to Mali after completing her undergraduate degree, between pursuing an orthodox planned career or the unpredictable life of an independent songwriter. When asked about how she navigated through making the choice between the mundane and her true calling, she says, “I was 21, just out of college and pretty clueless about what industry I wanted to work in and what job I thought I was right for. The only surety in my life till then had been music, so I looked to it as an anchor of sorts. As much as I wanted to deep dive into music as a full-time career, I knew how challenging it was going to be. Eventually, I decided that I was going to choose music as my path because it was a way more exciting life of travel, meeting new people, constantly living in the quest for something. How bad could it be waking up to a new adventure everyday?”
Ultimately, choosing the more adventurous path, ‘Mundane’ reflects on what could have been and the choices of what countless young artists arguably consider throughout their formative years. “I think of each song I write as an epilogue to each chapter in my life. I try to get closure and clarity from things I go through personally by writing about them so I really pour my heart and soul into each one of my singles. They all come from a place and tell a story very personal to me,” she adds. The production is reminiscent of synth-pop and classic pop influences such as Fleetwood Mac, Hall & Oates and Kate Bush, among others.
The quirky album artwork is designed by Ján Juhaniak. About conceptualizing the design, she says, “When I wrote this song, I remember being obsessed with wanting to go on a hot air balloon ride and even added it to my bucket list. There’s something so bohemian and exciting about the visual of a hot air balloon and I thought it would just be interesting to use them in the lyrics and the artwork.”
Her previous releases include her debut EP Rush (2017) and singles titled Play (2018), a tribute to her grandfather, Mango Showers (2019), about her brush with a shady record label owner, Age of Limbo (2020), widely referred to as a ‘lockdown anthem’ and ‘Absolute’, a song about corruption. The singer-songwriter, who goes by the stage name Mali, is a household name within India’s independent music scene. Her music takes inspiration from 20th-century classic pop influences with a fresh contemporary twist, giving her sound a nostalgic flavour. Besides being an independent songwriter and composer, she has also lent her voice to several films and ad campaigns, working with the likes of AR Rahman, Anirudh Ravichander, Harris Jayaraj among others.
Track credits:
Written and composed by Maalavika Manoj
Produced, arranged and mixed by Arnob Bal
Drums: Jehangir Jehangir
Bass: Stuart DaCosta
Guitar: Tejas Menon
Mastered by Kristian Montano Artwork: Ján Juhaniak
Follow Mali’s music here – Official website | Instagram | Spotify
