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Photo: Aidan Cullen

“You’ll never make a profit if you’re just trying to be cool.” White boy of the month, Malcolm Todd is the internet’s baby girl. His eccentricity, coupled with the familiarity of his innocent humanity, has made him a beloved rising star.

Self-dubbed “The Wholesome Rockstar,” his self-titled album is a raw introduction to the 21-year-old’s inner world. Todd rinses himself down to the veins, opening with the incredibly vulnerable “Harry Styles.” Succumbing to the disappointment of the world not seeing the potential you see in yourself, he even jabs at the LA-based music festival Camp Flog Gnaw for not adding him to the lineup. “I don’t gotta be mad ‘cause next year I’ll play at a better time of day,” he concludes with hope, honoring an unspoken theme of the album—hunger and authenticity are what make a star, despite external setbacks. 

“Lying” is a sleeper hit, a gem settled between fan favorites like “Chest Pain (I Love)” and “Cheer Me On.” It’s a funk-infused confession of betrayal, one too infectious not to keep on loop. “Concrete” feels like an early Timberlake tune, while “I’ll Come Back For You” spotlights Todd’s vocals as the centerpiece of the album's send-off.

His musical influences are palpable, easily comparable to the likes of Steve Lacy and JMSN. However, he’s ushering forward the indie R&B sub-genre, mixing hints of grit and daze to the pot.

Omar Apollo ascends the project to new heights on the dance track “Bleed,” adding color and dimension to the project. The multi-instrumentalist has proven his versatility, which is a rare flex so early in his career.

Set to headline 26 cities in May, Todd has millions of streams, a hungry fanbase, and a strong debut under his belt, all pointing to an impressive burgeoning career.

Listen to Malcolm Todd below: