Butterfly Blue is the debut album from Australian Grace Shaw aka Mallrat. She already managed to impress with EPs such as In The Sky (2018) and Driving Music (2019), although on this album she takes it a step further. She herself believes that music should be interesting, beautiful and unassuming. That can also be heard on this fine debut album, on which Shaw presents a smooth mix of (dream) pop,
… electro, hip-hop and rock. The production includes all sorts of unusual details, such as the distorted sounds of children's toys and choir music played backwards. Also surprising is the song Suprise Me, in which Azealia Banks gets to come and spit her pointed raps. Shaw manages to effortlessly combine different genres without becoming a sample sale of influences. Her pop songs are perfect for swaying along to and have a raw edge (just listen to that guitar climax in Rockstar) that allows her music to deviously get under your skin. (JvQ)more