Headphones: Malz Monday Takes a Big Step Forward

Malz Monday

In today’s world, music is seen as more than lyrics on a page or the actual talent of an artist. The entertainment industry has shifted to the point where raw talent is not the determinator of success. So, how does an artist stand out from the crowd? On this week’s headphones, we are going to look at music that is innovative yet keeps the artists who made them connected to their audience. We are also going to look at artists who are the opposite and could use improvement. This is the music to be on the lookout for.

ALBUM OF THE WEEK

Monday Mix Vol. 1 by Malz Monday: Malz Monday is relatively new to the mainstream music industry. He made his debut in 2018 with his single ”Fibonacci,” and since that moment has proven that he is a special rapper. His sound resonates with the rap scene in the DMV and New York. Although these two scenes come with fixated sounds, Monday still finds ways to make his work different. With this mixtape, he experimented with structure, beat-making, and flow/delivery. Monday Mix Vol. 1 is straightforward. He does not do too much, and that is hard to find in modern-day music. His wow factors come with his writing, arrangement, and sound engineering. Although there is always room for improvement when it comes to mixing and mastering, it is rare to find rap artists (including very famous ones) whose engineering stands out from the crowd.

Monday Mix Vol. 1 has some of the best engineering and writing that I’ve heard in Hip-Hop/Rap over the past year. The album begins with “Chapters”, a track that sets up the tone for the album. The key to understanding the album is to really listen to what he says in this song. This introduction track isn’t there for just the aesthetic. It is there to make people understand why he is here, telling us his story. Monday has had to prove himself in the industry time and time again. Yet he still stands tall, with his core audience always behind him. In “Chapters,” he insinuates that this body of work will solidify his place in the industry, and he is excited to do so. As for the instrumentals, he introduces an old-school vibe. He kicks it back with acoustically driven basses and drums. This style of Hip-Hop production alongside his hard-hitting lyrics gives a sense of nostalgia (especially for those who grew up listening to 90s Hip-Hop/Rap.)

After going through a phase where he wasn’t living for himself, he reclaims his power back in the second track, “Times”. It’s hard-hitting, yet smooth. He gives us a glimpse into his personal life, allowing listeners to relate with him. The chorus (which is the most important part of a song) is built around repetition. Although this can get boring, he delivers it in a way where it is rather catchy and has a deeper meaning to it. Another standout track from this mixtape is “Street Deh!” It takes on a darker tone in comparison to the rest of the mixtape. It also has the most articulate lyrical flow in comparison to the rest of the tracks. Nothing else really changes though; he hits the mark with this track as well. One thing that caught my ear was the production style on the closing track, “Everything I Am”. His vocals are drowned out by the bass, which insinuates a dark ending. It is rare to come across a mixtape/album in which there are songs you don’t like. Monday Mix Vol 1. was made in a captivating way. Monday provides a sense of nostalgia and a story that you want to hear.

SINGLE OF THE WEEK

Nápoles

Selfmade $lick by Nápoles: Nápoles knows how to make more with less. As an artist, she sets a bar that is very difficult to reach. Her song Selfmade $lick is exceptional and hits all the marks. She has only been releasing music since 2020 and has found her sound. The production of this song is what ties it together. The engineering makes the song feel like molasses and the way that Nápoles vocals blend gives the song an angelic character. It’s groovy, smooth, and a song that the world can never get tired of.

The first notable aspect of the song is the saxophone. It sets the tone of the song, is smooth, and immediately captivates the listener. The song builds up fast, with a 17-second intro that leads into a hard-hitting 808 drum beat with light percussion. The contrast between the 808 and the percussion covers every frequency from low to high. Nápoles seems to be a master at composing and executing harmonies/background vocals.

I admire how subtle the vocals are, blending with the mix. They also provide a stark contrast to the dark synth pads, leads, and 808s. The way the vocals are mixed allows for them to have depth. There is just a perfect amount of reverberation, and the panning is done just right. It feels as though you are being surrounded by her voice. It doesn’t feel like you are listening to her voice in the studio, but rather in an empty room. The lyric writing is rather simple in nature. It is a catchy song, with the chorus giving it more energy and rhythm.

The blend and production of the song is what makes it stand out. With the song being so percussive, it is refreshing to have a smoother instrument in the mix. It ties the intro and the first verse together and is incorporated throughout the song in places where it fits. The song experiments with the R&B genre, blending it with the Alternative genre. In a short amount of time, Nápoles was able to find her sound. Although she is just starting, she is someone in the industry to be on the lookout for.

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Waitress by DaBaby: Relatability is a key factor when it comes to music. But there are some artists out there who want to feel out of reach. DaBaby is an example of this. Although he is one of the most famous rappers in the world, no one really knows him. He’s connected with his fans in a different way. They don’t want to be friends with him; they want to be him. Although DaBaby has achieved mass stardom, he hasn’t changed/experimented with his formula.

Waitress is a run-of-the-mill rap song. The 808s, snares, and hi-hats are all standard. The flow is nothing special, and the lyrics are superficial. Yes, the production of the song is nice. His vocals are just the right levels, the 808 isn’t overbearing, and the snare goes easy on the ear. Despite all of this, it is still average. So, why am I writing about it? Although the song itself isn’t special, the music video is extremely entertaining.

Interestingly, he sets the scene on a karaoke night. He seems nervous to perform, like the average performer. He goes into his performance, and there are certain scenes that go with the lyrics. It mostly shows fights breaking out at the bar, and people getting knocked out. It is clear that DaBaby wanted this song to exude that kind of energy. That being said, the fluorescent lighting, videography, and intro/outro keep his audience entertained.

In a place where there is so much violence going on, DaBaby remains untouched. His theft of someone’s shoes at the end also shows that he gets what he wants. Yes, the video is fun and entertaining. But there is something to be said when his videos and production are all he has going for him. The world would like to see him change his persona a little bit. In a world where the music industry is being taken over by independent artists who really have something to say, we want more relatability. It is not much to ask, as artists like Kanye West and Kid Cudi continue to grace us with their honesty and vulnerability. Of course, they have songs that talk about the superficial, but they have been able to open up to their audiences and people love that. Overall, DaBaby is not a bad artist, but there is work to be done