With sharper edges, elevated sound design and a new posse of collaborators, MALAKAI comes correct on his fourth EP, Odd Views. It’s been more than two years since the New York City-based producer first released with The Rust, but in some ways it feels like a lifetime ago. 

On these four tracks it’s plain to hear that MALAKAI’s sound design and songwriting have improved and his intent has sharpened. The sonic material itself isn’t revolutionary, but the subtle ways he moves and shapes the sounds gives attitude to the songs. Strong as ever is MALAKAI’s ability to communicate a feeling with melody, harmony, and note choice. Only now, the feelings are different. He’s deviated ever so slightly from his usual earthy, acoustic, mystical motifs. The void that remains is filled with something grittier, more urban, more direct. 

His friends have changed, too, It’s reflected in the posture of this EP, which features Thought Process, pheel., and cuts from Bogtrotter. These producers, who are heavily influenced by hip-hop, deliver great bounce and buoyancy on their features. It’s still MALAKAI’s signature sound - grazing along, moving forward with swing and without haste. Not quite glitch hop, not quite dub, not quite hip-hop, but a home brew with all these ingredients. The edges are again sharper, the movements more crisp. There’s less to think about and more to groove on.

Odd Views

Purchase the EP here:
thisismalakai.bandcamp.com/album/odd-views

With sharper edges, elevated sound design and a new posse of collaborators, MALAKAI comes correct on his fourth EP, Odd Views. It’s been more than two years since the New York City-based producer first released with The Rust, but in some ways it feels like a lifetime ago.

On these four tracks it’s plain to hear that MALAKAI’s sound design and songwriting have improved and his intent has sharpened. The sonic material itself isn’t revolutionary, but the subtle ways he moves and shapes the sounds gives attitude to the songs. Strong as ever is MALAKAI’s ability to communicate a feeling with melody, harmony, and note choice. Only now, the feelings are different. He’s deviated ever so slightly from his usual earthy, acoustic, mystical motifs. The void that remains is filled with something grittier, more urban, more direct.

His friends have changed, too, It’s reflected in the posture of this EP, which features Thought Process, pheel., and cuts from Bogtrotter. These producers, who are heavily influenced by hip-hop, deliver great bounce and buoyancy on their features. It’s still MALAKAI’s signature sound - grazing along, moving forward with swing and without haste. Not quite glitch hop, not quite dub, not quite hip-hop, but a home brew with all these ingredients. The edges are again sharper, the movements more crisp. There’s less to think about and more to groove on.
credits
released October 29, 2019

Artwork by A.L. Grime
Mastering by Malakai Linden

All composition, production and instrumentation by Malakai Linden unless otherwise noted.

Track 02 co-produced by @Thought_Process_Music.
Scratching on track 03 by @Bogtrotter.
Track 04 co-produced by @pheel518

MALAKAI x pheel. - Eldin

MALAKAI - Odd Views

Iota

MALAKAI x Thought Process - Iota

MALAKAI - Ism

Bookings:

US Bookings: sean@therustmusic.net
Int'l Bookings: info@feellifemusic.com

Mastering, lessons, love letters, friendly conversation:
Malakai Linden - malakai [at] therustmusic.net

www.ThisIsMalakai.com
www.TheRustMusic.net

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MALAKAI is the musical vision of Brooklyn based producer, DJ and multi-instrumentalist, Malakai Linden. Drawing on a wide range of influences, his music strives to bridge a gap between electronic and acoustic spaces, incorporating sounds of real-world instruments into an eclectic brand of bass driven electronic beats. Following a pattern of organic growth, MALAKAI’s live sets consist of a carefully curated and immersive journey through a multitude of musical flavors.

MALAKAI began producing in 2011 at the age of 17 under the guidance of acclaimed producer/guitarist Derek VanScoten (Cloudchord, D.V.S*) and went on to earn a degree in Music Technology from New York University. In 2017, he teamed up with Wyler Sanca and Francesco Ferran to form The Rust Music, a record label, blog and production company dedicated to showcasing forward-thinking music and art in NYC. 

Since his start, MALAKAI has shared stages with internationally renowned artists such as Emancipator, Desert Dwellers, Ott, Random Rab, Clozee, and Purity Ring, and appeared at numerous festivals across the northeast including Wild Woods Music (NH), Camp Bisco (PA), and Great North (ME).

Over the past year, MALAKAI has been featured on releases through Desert Trax (Antumbral Shadow - compiled by Desert Dwellers), and The Rust Music (Saros EP, Oxidized Vol. 2). Looking to the future there are a number of new projects on his plate, including several collaborations, singles and more to be released in 2018.