Malcolm Todd wanted to create an album that felt “sexy” and “earnest,” he said during a May interview with actor and podcaster Owen Thiele. The L.A.-based singer-songwriter’s sophomore studio album “Do That Again,” released Friday, accomplished just that.
Through cheeky, suggestive lyrics and dreamy, seductive instrumentals, Todd lets listeners know he’s not just a “Sweet Boy.”
In the one-minute introductory track, “Jean Skirt,” Todd presents the album’s less-than-PG subject material front and center. He sings sultry lyrics like, “I had my tank top, you had your jean skirt / And now they’re on the floor,” over a crescendoing electric guitar.
Todd continues the womanizer act in “Obsessica,” which ends with him naming the many women he’s “obsessed” with. Though in most situations this would make us roll our eyes, Todd’s playful singing and bedroom pop instrumentation make the song undeniably catchy.
“I Saw Your Face” was one of the album’s two singles, and its upbeat tempo balances out some of the slower, more suggestive tracks. With a catchy chorus and simple electric guitar riff, the song stands on its own, a highlight of the album’s first half.
Todd gains more confidence in his sound in the album’s second half, creating a strong and cohesive throughline. While the first half portrays Todd as more of a Casanova, the latter part leans into his vulnerability.
In “Gun To My Head,” Todd sings about the persistence of feelings from his past relationship, accompanied by almost distractingly upbeat instrumentals. The emotional push and pull Todd experiences is a recurring theme throughout the album, juxtaposing the more racy lyrics he sings.
The problem Todd struggles to reconcile throughout the track is sacrificing the relationship to further his career. Todd sings, “I gave up loving you / To pretend that I’m famous now,” alluding to the persona he feels he must embody to achieve success. Despite this, Todd finds himself unable to move on and, as the title suggests, is willing to go to extreme lengths to prove it.
“X’s and O’s” contrasts the pop sound of the previous track, opting for a more R&B-leaning melody, bolstered by a slower rhythm and mellowed vocals. Todd sings about the all-consuming nature of a love that feels forbidden and uncontrolled.
Todd punctuates this theme with a voicemail, a common signature throughout his discography. In the voicemail, Todd laments not knowing where he stands with the girl he’s seeing and tearfully begs her to call him back. Whether or not the message was successful, it is wholly entertaining, and the use of voicemails to add drama is something Todd should continue.
“Lonely Song” continues the theme of regret, as Todd mourns the company of his past relationship and dreads sitting with his loneliness. Featuring a sample from Bobby Vinton’s “Mr. Lonely,” Todd reflects on the relationship and other aspects of his life negatively impacting him.
He bemoans aging and the music industry’s growing affinity for “internet sounds,” referring to a reliance on algorithms to gain popularity. While the song has an overall melancholic tone, its outro is the exact opposite. As the beat picks up, Todd’s lustful side returns. He sings, “I think you’re hot, you think I’m funny, let’s make love.”
The album concludes with the titular track, featuring a starry-sounding instrumental and surprise backing vocals from one of Todd’s most-cited inspirations, alternative R&B singer Steve Lacy. The track perfectly wraps up an album characterized by lust, despair, vulnerability and all things love.
If you’re looking for love, you probably want to avoid a naked guy in a bathtub with a beer and a rubber duck — Todd’s pose on the album’s cover art. But just as Todd himself might be the type of guy better suited for a casual fling, “Do That Again” is an album perfect for soundtracking an indie lover’s “Hot Girl Summer.”
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
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