Sometimes the hardest part of being a person with a body is admitting how hard it is in the first place. So it goes in the newest single from Mal Blum, rock musician, friend of Autostraddle/A-Camp, and all around cool human.
Blum and their band offer the pop punk vibes we need to survive 2019, with awkward, affectionate storytelling, frenetic drums, and ever-so-slightly clangy guitars. “Things Still Left To Say” gives off serious 90s alt-rock vibes, like something from the soundtrack of The Adventures of Pete and Pete (my favorite genre). The lyrics dig into the way being closeted cuts us off from people trying to love us, and they do so in a way I’ve certainly never heard on NPR before. The video features a flower-covered Blum, a hungry reptile, and a whole bunch of cute people for you to get crushes on and try to find on Instagram later. What are you waiting for?
WOW YES THIS BOPS
I had no idea turtles eating were so utterly cute. Also I’ve got phrases, I’ve got phrases stuck in my head.
WOOOOOOOOO
mal blum since you are here in this comments section i have created an account to say, i love your music, and also, some years ago i discovered slothrust and the song horseshoe crab and i saw your comment on that youtube video and, it has made my life, thank you.
This is playing on my Pandora channel right now. 😀
“Should I explain myself…I’d rather read the dictionary.” Yep. This. But I’ve still got phrases, though.
2 MANY CUTIES
The glimpses of Barrett with purple hair/wig and of Mars really made this video for me.
I have been listening to this song all weekend, it’s like the best party in my ears, but hmmmmm guess I better go back to where I’m meant to be and watch the video again!
As fellow depressed non-binary queer, I am SO HAPPY to see Mal in this video smiling like a sunbeam and living the (most authentic) life they deserve!! What a big love mood.