CIAO MALZ’s Malia DelaCruz guides us through her track-by-track exploration of her vibrant and authentic debut EP ‘Safe Then Sorry’ – a heartfelt and unfiltered introduction that merges the DIY immediacy of bedroom pop with the dreamy warmth of indie folk.
For fans of Kate Bollinger, fanclubwallet, Skullcrusher.
Stream: ‘Safe Then Sorry’ – CIAO MALZ
I wanted the project to evoke the same feeling I had when I was experimenting on GarageBand on my first computer — unrestricted.
CIAO MALZ’s debut EP begins with one of the most relatable feelings: Defeat.
“Drinking all the milk and missing all the three pointers,” expresses Malia DelaCruz at the opening of “Two Feet Tall,” a song about falling short both literally and metaphorically. The drums create an urgent rhythm, while jangling guitars swirl gracefully around her voice as she reflects on the struggle of trying hard and still failing; giving your all, only to realize it’s not sufficient.
But you persist; you try again and again, all in the hope of ultimately transforming your ‘defeat’ into success — whatever that may mean. “I’m holding my breath and making amends to the summit. All cold in the hands, gotta make a new plan to get above it.” The experience of trial and error is a fundamental part of being human; it’s how we learn, improve ourselves, and grow into better individuals. Staying stagnant is always easier than evolving, yet that evolution is essential to our progress — a truth that CIAO MALZ reveals and embraces through four deeply intimate and honest songs that capture the ups and downs of life.
A raw and candid combination of bedroom pop’s DIY approach with indie folk’s enchanting warmth, Safe Then Sorry is a beautifully sincere and confessional collection of hard-earned life lessons, personal stories, and treasured memories. It’s a journey of self-reflection and discovery that brings us closer to ourselves while introducing CIAO MALZ as a promising new voice in the indie/alternative scene.
Safe Then Sorry – CIAO MALZ
Drinking all the milk
and missing all the three pointers
Think about it still,
find new ways to disappoint her
Always one thing, after another isn’t it
Always reaching for the back cupboard
I’ve been feeling two, two feet tall
I’ve already heard, heard it all
I’ve been meaning to call your bluff
But I can never tell, quite tell you stuff
– “Two Feet Tall,” CIAO MALZ
Released December 6th, 2024 by Audio Antihero, Safe Then Sorry is a gentle yet powerful representation of vulnerable songwriting and artistic expression, all within just twelve minutes. Following the 2022 To Go demo EP, CIAO MALZ’s ‘official’ debut provides a compelling glimpse into Malia DelaCruz’s creative mind and humanity — showcasing how she and those around her navigate daily life.
The Connecticut-born, Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter (who also plays bass in the band Sister.) wrote most of this record after work, attributing her day job — the people she meets, the stories shared, the “characters from that world” — with significantly influencing her lyrics, both consciously and subconsciously.
CIAO MALZ © Alex SK Brown
“‘Safe Then Sorry’ is a rest stop on the path most traveled,” DelaCruz tells Atwood Magazine. “These songs are about the unexpected connections we forge, how they can be both inexplicable and meaningful. I explore these contradictions with unpredictable melodies, explosive choruses, and the recording process itself.
“I wanted to emphasize authentic songwriting,” she continues. “I aimed to be direct instead of rambling to reach the outro. My vision was to create something that represented where I was at that moment. I’ve learned to record by practicing with myself and others, and this was an experiment with that. As the process unfolded, I became less focused on technicalities and began to enjoy it. Inviting friends over to play was a significant part of that. I was almost moved to tears when they supported the quirky elements I hesitated to keep.”
“I believe [this EP] captures my scrappiness and passion for making music. I want to view it as a warm introduction that reflects my compassion and personal interests.”
I feel like Mary Shelley in 1818
Getting bored and doing something extraordinary
Strike the pen to the paper
Making sense of it later
Feeling bad for the bad guy
I’m rooting for the wrong side
Tell me once, tell me three times
Feeling bad for the bad guy
– “Bad for the Bad Guy,” CIAO MALZ
CIAO MALZ © Alex SK Brown
DelaCruz characterizes Safe Then Sorry as realistic, playful, and intriguing.
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Malia DelaCruz of CIAO MALZ guides us through her debut EP ‘Safe Then Sorry’ track by track. This unvarnished and intensely emotional introduction seamlessly combines the DIY immediacy of bedroom pop with the dreamy warmth and enchantment of indie folk.