Album review by Charlotte Poynton
Mallrat, the performance alter ego of Meanjin’s darling Grace Shaw, is nothing short of an Australian music icon. Never afraid to step into bold or unexpected territories, Mallrat’s second album, titled Light Hit My Face Like A Straight Right, explores the vibrant territories of dance music and retro samples. Even though work on this album began shortly after the release of Butterfly Blue, the sonic atmosphere present in this sophomore piece of work demonstrates an emotional growth from the naïve and lovestruck demeanour of 2022’s tracks such as ‘Obsessed’ and ‘Arm’s Length’. Though Mallrat doesn’t cite any clear references, “heart and potent magic” drove the creative vision for this album, which does not go unnoticed, with high levels of pure charm and insurmountable talent evident in each of the twelve album tracks.
My Darling, My Angel
Immediately setting this sophomore album apart from all previous Mallrat works, ‘My Darling, My Angel’ is a cinematic experience. Effortlessly combining club classic beats with a whimsical melody, ‘My Darling, My Angel’ is an introduction to this new, otherworldly sonic atmosphere from Mallrat, a sort of magic you won’t find from anyone else in music right now. A track made in collaboration with Chrome Sparks, Mallrat shares that this song contains many secrets – one of which “is only for Irish people”. Despite the mystique shrouding ‘My Darling, My Angel’, this track is a euphoric introduction to this energetically charged, electronica influenced album, embedded with nostalgic charm and lyrical throwbacks to her impeccable discography.
Pavement
The most recent single from Light Hit My Face Like A Straight Right that evoked pure anticipating hype throughout Mallrat’s fanbase was ‘Pavement’. A gritty yet addictive track that boasts two rather contrasting samples, DJ Zirk’s ‘Born 2 Lose’ and Cub Sport’s ‘Beg U’, ‘Pavement’ made instant ripples throughout the Aussie pop community. As someone who can say that their youth was soundtracked by both Mallrat and Cub Sport, I can attest to the fact that this collaboration will be studied in pop culture iconography classes for centuries to come. It seems that Mallrat herself agrees, sharing that ‘Pavement’ just might be her favourite track of the album. With a moonlit dreamscape of a music video and a star-studded team, including Buddy Ross and Styalz Fuego, behind the track, ‘Pavement’ is ultimately a pure piece of decade-defining art disguised merely as another banger from our beloved pop princess.
Something for Somebody
‘Something for Somebody’ is the track that Mallrat is lyrically the proudest of, a sonically sweet love letter to anyone who’s ever searched their name on the unsent project and believed that every entry was addressed to them. With a slightly twisted narrative of social façades, forged connections, and relentless yearning, Mallrat reminds audiences that one of the most profound magics found on this planet is how people, places, and even the distant echo of someone’s laugh across a bar can remind us of someone we once loved more than anything else.
Virtue
‘Virtue’ comes in at track four with a sense of self-exploration, as if grappling with reclaiming your reflection in the mirror. Inspired by traditional Irish music and featuring a sample of Rajaton’s ‘Butterfly’, ‘Virtue’ evokes imagery of enchanted spirits and whimsical beings, though their true intentions are hidden behind their fantastical façade. Mallrat’s vocals sit like a lullaby of reassurance, and despite the lyrical statement that she’s “no angel”, the pure nature of this track begs to differ.
Defibrillator
A glimpse into the emotional vulnerability of a private life, ‘Defibrillator’ explores the crossover of comfort and confession. Though Mallrat had reservations about including this track on the album, the green tick of approval from Ninajirachi was all the convincing she needed. An a cappella final chorus stands to be representative of the isolated insecurities shared in the lyrics of “I guess I’m to blame”, as Mallrat feeds into the blind hope of a return to normalcy.
It is at this point where I can already determine that this album will be utterly life-changing though underappreciated by the masses. As I stand on the edge of my teenage years, the wisdom and magical nature of this album fulfills me with all the strength and guidance necessary for my venture into my twenties.
The Light Streams in and Hits my Face
The first interlude of the album comes with ‘The Light Streams in and Hits my Face’. Signifying a moment of delicately heaven-sent light to herald in the bright strobe-lit aura of the following tracks, this interlude feels equally romantic and sacred in the midst of such an emotionally charged album.
Hocus Pocus
‘Hocus Pocus’ is era defining, a track that truly makes me grateful to exist in the same universe as Mallrat. There is truly no way to enjoy this song without dancing, with DJ Zirk’s ‘Born 2 Lose’ sample making another feature alongside simply ethereal vocal textures. Without a doubt, ‘Hocus Pocus’ is the track that I’m most excited to experience at a live show, as Mallrat’s witty lyricism and purely transcendental musical vision combining to create a purely magical potion.
Hideaway
If you are a lover of old school Mallrat stylings, ‘Hideaway’ is the cutest little gem for you. The almost shy admission of one’s tough exterior pairs with the act of letting someone infiltrate into all private thoughts on this track, all whilst a certified Mallrat dance moment plays out in the foreground. The musical prowess of Japanese Wallpaper and Styalz Fuego combine on ‘Hideaway’ to create a piece of pure dance pop goodness that will soon be certified platinum on the charts of anyone with taste.
Love Songs/ Heart Strings
‘Love Songs/ Heart Strings’ is the second interlude on The Light Hits My Face like A Straight Right. A track Mallrat wishes to hear on the big club speakers, this interlude’s titular love songs and heart strings are truly two of the universal invisible strings throughout this album.
Ray of Light
In August of 2024, Mallrat introduced us to her new era with the kaleidoscopic ‘Ray Of Light’. This track instantly ushered audiences to take a step back from their day-to-day norms to appreciate the magic in simple things, from clouds to spiderwebs, and the pure enticing manner of nature. An angelic calling of spliced and pitched vocals refers to the alluring angels and invisible forces that inspired this track, with Mallrat sharing “I’m locked in and can talk to angels” in a very valid and grounded statement.
The Worst Thing I Would Ever Do
Mallrat treads into new waters with ‘The Worst Thing I Would Ever Do’, a shoegaze treat with slight reminiscence of 2022’s ‘Heart Guitar’. The title of this track alone piqued my instant intrigue from my first glimpse at the track list, evidently standing out for a good reason. With a darker lyrical tone, creating a sonic atmosphere far from the whimsical nature of the surrounding album tracks, ‘The Worst Thing I Would Ever Do’ is a demonstration of Mallrat’s musical versatility, and comes with the promise of “One day I’m going to make a whole shoegaze album”.
Horses
Closing off this impeccable sophomore body of work is ‘Horses’. A lyrical depiction of loneliness and isolation, Mallrat reminisces on train trips home from school with her little sister and working with beloved horses at the local racetrack. ‘Horses’ underwent a personal metamorphosis for Mallrat, with her dedication to her sister developing a new meaning after her sisters unexpected passing. The repetitive lyrical plea of “Can somebody let me out of myself?” adds power to the underlying messaging, aided effortlessly by vocal cracks to depict a delicate destruction spurring from Mallrat’s newfound alienation from a place she once held dear.
If Light Hit My Face Like A Straight Right has you feeling like a card-carrying member of Mallrat’s Angels, you won’t want to miss the chance to experience this magic live at one of her upcoming tour dates. You can catch Mallrat exemplifying her pop-princessery in the opening slot of Kylie Minogue’s Tension Australian Tour this February and early March, at her headline shows across the east coast in April, or when she conquers American and European dates throughout late April to June. Additionally, purchasing merchandise or physical copies of this album will have positive charting impact and show that you are loving the album!
Support your local pop princesses and make sure to take a page from Mallrat’s book by taking a moment to appreciate the magic subdued in nature and the simple day-to-day, as you will never know what wonders are waiting for you if you aren’t paying attention.
