The artist known as Mali Mali makes for inspired, disarming listening. With flowing piano melodies echoing Elliott Smith and delicately constructed layers of texture akin to the post-rock musings of Godspeed You Black Emperor, Mali Mali (real name Ben Tolich) elegantly tows a line between classic pop-songwriting and aural experimentation.
Debut album Gather ’round the Gooseclock (2013; recorded in tropical Cairns by Mark Myers of The Middle East) caught the attention of many and 2016’s follow-up As a Dog Dreams earned accolades the country over. Shockingly, the record was Tolich’s first attempt at home production and engineering – the reception was anything but amateur. “In an age when people protect themselves or present an ego in their absence, this sounds courageous”, said Graham Reid of As a Dog Dreams.