On Nov. 15, Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist Ciao Malz (Malia DelaCruz) released her newest single “Two Feet Tall.” The single is the first from her debut EP, Safe Then Sorry, to be released via Audio Antihero on Dec. 6.
The memorable melodies and infectious chorus sticks in your head long after the song ends while the emotionally rich lyrics leave you with much to think about. In true Bedroom Pop fashion, the cheerful verses are complemented by thoughtful, albeit pessimistic, moments of sheer honesty as the chorus comes back around.
Each time the tempo slows, the song avoids hitting a resolving note until it returns to the verse. As the song ends, DelaCruz’s repetition of the phrase “I can never tell” hits home in a genuine way that most songs lack. The production on the song is top-tier and makes the track fit comfortably on any college radio rotation, or indie pop playlist you can imagine. All this, combined with the thematically resonant vocal delivery and wobbly guitars, strikes a distinct note, helping “Two Feet Tall” quickly become her most-streamed song since its release.
Ciao Malz draws inspiration from artists such as Elliott Smith, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Men I Trust, blending witty introspection with a dynamic musical style. While her self-released demos garnered attention from NPR, WFUV, Loud Women, and others, this latest work is her most mature, eclectic, and polished to date.
Her music first reached the Audio Antihero label when she issued a cover of Frog’s “You Know I’m Down” in 2023, and the label then offered to work with her on this debut. In addition to numerous other collaborations at her Lower East Side studio, Malia DelaCruz has also been played bass for the acclaimed Sister. group (with Hannah Pruzinsky, Ceci Sturman, and James Chrisman).
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