Mallrat Channels Her Youth with New EP, “Driving Music”
When she jumped into public consciousness, Australian lo-fi veteran Mallrat (aka Grace Shaw) was only 15; when in the throes of puberty and teen rebellion, it’s intimidating to display your heart and soul in front of an audience … but that’s just what she did.
With her most recent addition to her discography, her 6-track EP “Driving Music” (released Sept 6 via Nettwerk Music Group Inc.), Mallrat is just as vulnerable with her audience and with the passing of time. And with an added level of maturity, it has clearly become easier for her to do so.
While her songs are certainly catchy and danceable, upon further inspection of the lyrics, they’re often chock-full of emotion and a certain sense of youthful revolt that most all of her listeners can likely relate to. Her genuine openness on tracks such as “When I Get My Braces Off” — an adolescent-leaning track, angsty as ever, describing 16-year-old desires about wanting to get older and do whatever she pleases (including dyeing her hair blue and pursuing a career as a rockstar) — and “Charlie” — a track that gets its namesake from Shaw’s own golden Labrador, creating a parallel between him and a romantic interest — are key signs of the growth and comfort she’s established in discussing her own experience through her songwriting.
The accompanying “Charlie” music video has a certain magical quality as well, having been taken with some kind of film (film students, advise!). The bright, film-faded colors and coming-of-age-like scenes feel warm and homey, the feeling that being with your crush (or with childhood pet) might conjure.
At just 20, Mallrat continues to evoke a youthful glow (and that’s completely justified) — she’s speaking directly on her own adolescent trials, with heartbreak, new beginnings, and holistic change — and it feels authentic and raw. With this release in particular, Mallrat explores a more melancholy side of herself — note the head-bobbing, simplistic melody of “Circles” (ft. Fossa Beats) and “Stay,” which discusses a saddening post-relationship drawl — and though most know her best for her larger-than-life dance beats, she makes this transition seamlessly.
Considering the 3 year time gap since Mallrat’s last release — and her single, “Groceries” and “UFO” becoming favorites on the Urban Outfitters in-store Spotify queue — coming back strong was imperative.
“Anything is possible if you just say that you’re going to do it,” Mallrat stated in an interview with The Fader. “That’s honestly such a lifehack.” With a mentality like this, she’s been able to soar, especially considering the short amount of time she’s been in the spotlight. In a current context, Shaw has already opened for the likes of Post Malone and Maggie Rogers, had a song (her single, “For Real”) licensed by Google for a smartphone commercial, and recently embarked on her first headlining international tour (with support from Australian rapper Allday) — there’s no question that she’s on the fast track toward greatness, if she hasn’t arrived already.
