Album Review: "Do That Again" - Malcolm Todd

Photography & Creative Direction: Aidan Cullen

Do That Again is the newest album from the incredibly talented musician Malcolm Todd. The second album but third full-length installment in his discography, he sings more alternative, emotion-fueled love songs, whether these emotions are passion and/or regret.

T R A C K L I S T

1. Jean Skirt

2. Obsessica

3. Free.99

4. Breathe

5. I Saw Your Face

6. Difficult Love

7. Malcolm In The Middle

8. Ain't That The Truth

9. Gun To My Head

10. X's & O's

11. Lonely Song

12. Good Bye

13. Do That Again

With several tracks from his 2024 mixtape Sweet Boy gaining him lots of recognition early in his music career, its not just those songs that make Malcolm Todd the amazing musician he is known as today. Born into and raised in an artistically-inclined family, he would begin to passionately pursue music after receiving a bass guitar as a birthday present. This would then lead him to develop his signature sound that separates him from other alternative artists, while still paying homage to those who inspired him during his musical journey. Malcolm released his eponymous debut album in 2025, and has now released his sophomore album Do That Again.

1. Jean Skirt

   "Jean Skirt" proves that Malcolm is 3/3 with album/mixtape intro tracks. "Earrings" from Sweet Boy is a rapid anthem about uncertainty with an ex - "Harry Styles" from Malcolm Todd is an orchestral ballad about questioning the validity of fame - and now everything has come back around with a passionate song, both lyrically and sonically, to start off Do That Again, which is filled with elements that resemble these same vibes.

   
   

2. Obsessica

   Red flags are ignored on both sides of a relationship in "Obsessica". The title of this track suggests how Malcolm carries his approach to different romantic partners, listening to his heart instead of his brain and disregarding any signs that a relationship wouldn't be ideal. Even as he closes out the song, he says names of different girls to amplify this message. The production of "Obsessica" is very influenced by 90s and 2000s indie rock, with the song emphasizing bass guitar and loud drums that beam through headphone speakers.

   
   

3. Free.99

   Vociferous musicality continues from the last track to "Free.99", where Malcolm sings about missing a past significant other, while still acknowledging the poor relationship they were in. By the end, although it wasn't healthy for either of them to be together, he still feels empty, confused, and isolated now that they are no longer together. The melancholia that defines the songs of one of the lyrical and musical categories Malcolm is known for is heavily represented throughout this song, also due to the composition of the chords and synths.

   
   

4. Breathe

   The lead single of Do That Again, Malcolm surprised fans with cover art containing animal print and a whispered, sybaritic, and spoken-word intro, supplemented only with soft hi-hats. Then, the song cleverly flows into another lo-fi hit, where his dignified singing voice and delicate backing vocals are strung out and perfectly compliment the vibes of the overall theme and lyrics. Malcolm sings about yearning and feeling true happiness when he is with his partner, who he is often apart from, and wishes that they could spend more time together.

   
   

5. I Saw Your Face

   While he has already sang about breakups on Do That Again,  "I Saw Your Face" reintroduces the lyrical theme of yearning for a former significant other. While still maintaining of one of central themes of the albums, Malcolm switches things up from the distorted synths of "Free.99" with somber electric guitar chords, symbolizing how it feels like his whole world is crashing down on him from how much he misses his ex. Alongside this is emotional singing that also tells this story through the means of not just the songwriting, but the vocals and production as well.

   
   

6. Difficult Love

   In "Difficult Love", Malcolm admits he is attracted to relationships when they aren't easy and straightforward, but when they require work and contain toxicity. He knows that this is unhealthy, but he sings about how he can't help but getting back together with an ex that reciprocates the same feelings towards romance that he has. The combination of Malcolm's distorted vocals and soft rock-esque guitar chords provide more unique production for this album, which has also been a key element of his post projects, and shows why he is such a distinct figure in the music industry.

   
   

7. Malcolm In The Middle

   The production and instrumentation of the seventh track of the album is meant to portray childlike joy and whimsy, aptly titled "Malcolm In The Middle". The lyrics mostly articulate the same thing, but Malcolm still sings about how he is somewhat unsure about his relationship. In the verse and bridge, he details the happiness he has with being with his significant other, but in the choruses, he shares bittersweet feelings regarding this person and how is he not completely positive if their relationship is going to last.

   
   

8. Ain't That The Truth

   On the eighth track of the album, Malcolm expresses his frustration towards someone that didn't prioritize the relationship they were in like he did. He hints at this person cheating and not taking his feelings seriously, often expressing the desire to be with other people. Like the other songs in Do That Again, the composition and melodies of "Ain't That The Truth" are very distinct, and how there are twist and turns with the tempo and volume of the production to create different emotions and vibes during the length of the song.

   
   

9. Gun To My Head

   The title of track nine of Do That Again perfectly defines Malcolm spilling his guts and showing his true feelings and emotions, and being vulnerable with new and old listeners of his when it comes to his love life. "Gun To My Head" comes off as an upbeat, alt-pop song, but how Malcolm sings in regards to his current situation in terms of romance shows how conflicted he is. He feels as though no matter how long he is apart from his ex, he cannot rid of the memories and happiness he felt in their relationship from his head, causing him to regret the break up.

   
   

10. X's & O's

    The intense bass and matching synths create an atmospheric experience when listening to "X's & O's", the tenth track of Do That Again, as Malcolm provides more early 2000s vibes with the melodies and harmonies that flow throughout the stunning production of this track. Guitar chords and distorted vocals take charge, with the choruses being the central, overarching elements of the song, where Malcolm continues to articulate his sentiments on love and relationships as a whole by writing in regards to an ex partner.

    
    

11. Lonely Song

    "Lonely Song" consists of the quarter-life crisis Malcolm is going through, and how he feels comfort in newfound love due to how dejected he feels. He wants to try to pursue a new relationship instead of following his old habits of not taking romance seriously enough. He explains that he feels immensely out of place as his music career advances, and is upset that he can't share it with someone else, and this leads him to have this point of uncertainty in his life. The beat switch also signifies him wanting to change his life for the better for himself.

    
    

12. Good Bye

    The guitar-driven twelfth track of the album, "Good Bye", presents itself as the last of Do That Again, but is actually the penultimate song, in which Malcolm wishes a sorrow farewell to an ex that he regrets leaving, but felt as though he had no choice but to do so. He reminisces on when the relationship made them both happy, but still reminds listeners that the good times have faded away, and how heartbroken he is from this. He sings about what could've been had they stayed together as well, to add fuel to his own fire and give even more emotional depth to "Good Bye".

    
    

13. Do That Again

    The album concludes with the title track to reign in the warm summer upon us, as Do That Again was released at the start of it. Although a new season means for more memories to be made and new opportunities to arise, Malcolm sings the album's title over and over, suggesting he wants to stay behind and try to reignite past relationships, feeling as though he is unprepared to begin new ones. These feelings are very relatable to many, as its not easy to let go from what once brought you comfort, even though you know its not what's best for you.

The ability to confide in one's own music is often hard for many artists to do, but Malcolm Todd does this flawlessly, which each track of Do That Again feeling like not just an impeccable song, but diary entries exploring his life and romantic relationships. He opens up about what others may not feel comfortable doing, providing a sense of relatability within his music for listeners to empathize and connect with on an emotional level. Malcolm also shows his phenomenal instrumental skills on yet another project of his, presented in all thirteen tracks of this astonishing record.

Written By Ashley Adams

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