Review
Malcolm Todd comes out swinging with his self-titled debut, slapping down dreamy R&B slow-burners like they're the main dish at your favorite soul food spot. "Chest Pain (I Love)" is the tear-stained, late-night snack of the record—equal parts sweet and a little spicy, with those confessions cutting deep like hot sauce hitting a wound. Instead of running from his feelings, Todd just sprawls right out in them, letting that vulnerability shine through crisp, almost minimalist beats that give his lyrics plenty of room to breathe. It's like he poured his DMs, his doubts, and those butterfly first loves into a mixing bowl and served up pure vibes.
His sound glides from hazy bedroom melodies to the kind of heart-thumping rhythm you wanna walk to at sunset. Sure, there’s some indie-pop seasoning sprinkled throughout the album, but Malcolm’s honesty and cheeky delivery give it extra flavor—it’s not just another batch of Spotify-core background noise. Every groove is anchored by his gift for making you feel like you’re sitting cross-legged on the floor with him, sharing post-midnight secrets.
Honestly, "Malcolm Todd" is the musical equivalent of a comfort meal that surprises you with a twist at every bite—satisfying and grounding, but just unexpected enough to keep you coming back for seconds (and thirds). He’s earned that spot in your main playlist rotation, dreaming and spiraling through young adulthood with a soundtrack that absolutely slaps. If the chaos of your early 20s had a theme song, you’d probably find it somewhere in here, humming along as you search for your own place in the whirlwind. - Lindsay
