Mallrat Shares “UFO (feat. Allday)”; Announces US Live Debut, Including SXSW 2018
February 9, 2018 BY Nettwerk
It’s quickly becoming apparent that 2018 is the Year of the Mallrat (aka Grace Shaw) with today’s release of her truly epic, new single “UFO (feat Allday)” via Nettwerk Records.
She’s also poised for a US live debut at SXSW in Austin, Texas in March, where she’s set to spread the love for Mallrat even further around the globe. Following her appearance at the festival, Mallrat will be touring across the United States, playing a handful of shows on the East and West Coast.
In stark contrast to the shimmering, acoustic guitar driven sheen of “Better,” “UFO” falls into a much darker and brooding territory. Its dense production and layers of hypnotic melodies highlight her vast development as a composer and producer since the release of 2016’s debut EP, Uninvited.
Meanwhile, the cameo from Allday sees the LA-based, Adelaide-born emcee deliver one of the smoothest verses of his career with his own harmonies supporting his laconic delivery, helping to seamlessly blend his contribution in perfectly with the aesthetics Mallrat has built across the rest of the track.
Speaking of his appearance on “UFO,” Mallrat says that she couldn’t see herself teaming up with anyone else.
“I feel like we’re two peas in a pod, so it’s pretty amazing that we can work together,” says Mallrat. “I don’t know if there are a lot of other vocalists that I would feel comfortable asking to be on my songs, just because I feel like lyrics are so personal for me. But because he’s such a close friend and we always get where each other are coming from, it felt perfect for the song.”
Mallrat’s career has skyrocketed since her humble beginnings as a tween rapper in the suburbs of Brisbane. She now counts a huge following of fans, from her current base in Melbourne through to gigantic international locations like Mexico City. Her refreshingly honest observations of day-to-day life, her relatable and confessional lyrics, and her penchant for writing sticky melodies that you just can’t shake have all shaped her into the kind of artist that is perfectly positioned to be Australia’s next big name in pop music.
The shower of acclaim she’s received in accordance with that recognition has been universal and from as diverse a range of outlets, such as The New York Times, NME (having been recently named in The NME 100: Essential new music for 2018, Beats 1 (she counts Zane Lowe as a big fan), Noisey, Paper Magazine, Pigeons and Planes, Stereogum and Rolling Stone just to name a few.
Meanwhile, she’s also forging a reputation as one of the most endearing live performers in the country, having sold out her last two Australian headline tours, as well as performing triumphant spots on festivals like Splendour In The Grass, Falls Festival and Listen Out, and supports for international stars like Post Malone, Peking Duk, and Maggie Rogers.
Tour Dates:
Tues., 4/3 Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room (All Ages)
Wed., 4/4 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo (All Ages)
Tues., 4/10 Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade (16+)
Critic Quotes:
“The 19-year-old songwriter from Brisbane who calls herself Mallrat has a sleepy delivery and a knack for singsong melodies that grow hypnotically familiar.” – The New York Times
“On her new song “Better,” Mallrat trades in a bit of the heavy booming bass and her sing-song rapping for a lighter and much more consistent melody.” –Stereogum
“If you’ve been sleeping on Brisbane’s latest export, Mallrat, now is the time to wake up.” – PAPER
“There’s a new anti-in-crowd anthem on the block: “Uninvited,” an infectious electro-pop gem from Australian newcomer Mallrat” – Vice’s NOISEY
“Mallrat is the bubblegum rapper changing the game” – Wonderland
“Brisbane’s teen star MC” – i-D Magazine
“Suicide Blonde” shows off two skill sets: an angelic voice and charming, leftfield delivery.” – Pigeons & Planes
“One of the game’s most undeniably exciting new talents” – NME
