The rising alternative R&B and indie singer-songwriter Malcolm Todd released his new album, Sweet Boy Pt. 1 on Friday, Feb 2nd. Inspired by other artists such as Steve Lacy, Tyler the Creator, and Dominic Fike, Todd produces and writes his own catchy and unique songs.
Unlike albums of other artists, Todd’s album is truly unique. The new album only contains five tracks, but his complete album consists of 14 tracks including his previously released singles. Todd’s album explores love and longing, with his emotional vocals capturing the essence of missing a loved one.
His second track Thailand invites listeners into Todd’s world of personal reflection. The lyrics convey a sense of loss and the passage of time, as Todd navigates the emotions of changing relationships and the inevitability of moving forward. The song showcases Todd’s lyrical depth and emotional resonance, it’s the perfect track to listen to after a tired day of work.
The third track Roommates, Todd’s most popular song, came out in June 2023 and has more than 15 million streams on Spotify. Todd discusses a rocky relationship that is coming to an end, talking about his feelings about losing his identity throughout the relationship and still missing the person he loved. The song contains no chorus, rather it tells the story of the relationship unraveling. The upbeat song contains lyrics like “Time is moving, With situations I’m not choosing” and “I wanna tell you I love you, but I cannot reach you; I’m learning to lose, that’s a thing they don’t teach you.” You will find yourself nodding to the guitar beats while listening to the track.
The fifth and title track Sweet Boy, released in May 2023, paints a picture of yearning and reflection with lyrics like “Can we go home now, it’s getting later baby“ The song’s rhythmic melody intersects with Todd’s distinctive vocals, creating an intimate ambience. The track explores the complexities of relationships and the bittersweet realization that sometimes it’s time to let go.
The sixth track Rodrick Rules is a song that makes you want to tap your foot to the ground. The track starts with an upbeat electric guitar, joined by another layer of guitar and drums later on, completing the build-up. Unlike the upbeat melody, the meaning of this song is quite the opposite. Todd acknowledges that time has run out for his relationship, and tells his lover to “move their [your] seat up”, showing that their journey together is over. The repetition of the guitar chords and lyrics “I won, I won, I won” indicates a sense of victory or achievement, where he moves on from the relationship and finds his happiness.
On his seventh track 4Me 4Me, the soulful track captures the theme of connection and desire, through his heartfelt lyrics “I just want you/ touching my face/ look at my eyes/ can you not see?“. Todd’s vocals give a comforting touch, saying “What’s mine is yours,” highlighting his willingness to give his all in the relationship. The sincereness of this track makes you look back at someone you miss.
The final track Mr. Incorrect released in October of last year, discusses a continuous argument in a past relationship and reveals a sense of happiness after the relationship. The refrain is incredibly catchy, repeating “I’m on, I’m on, I’m on; I thought I was right, but you’re never wrong.” This track highlights the importance of leaving behind negativity for one’s personal growth. This track’s relaxed and laid-back ambience makes it my favorite track of this album. The classical beats and vocals layer up to a perfect track to listen to anytime.
The album as a whole is a perfect way to display his producing and songwriting skills as a young, aspiring artist. Each song showcases Todd’s ability to blend emotions and storytelling, creating a cohesive yet varied musical experience. His music is raw, provoking and perfectly represents what young love feels like.
Todd plans to announce his U.S. tour “Malcolm Todd: Sweet Boy Tour” on February 20. Following his announcement, Todd will release his next album, Sweet Boy Pt. 2 on March 3.
