Angie McMahon Shares Life-Affirming New Single + Video ‘Exploding’
Australian singer-songwriter Angie McMahon has shared her new single and video “Exploding” – an eruption of a track off her forthcoming album ‘Light, Dark, Light Again’ (October 27).
Set against a backdrop of fuzzed-out, staticky guitars as dramatic drums continuously build with momentum in the mix, “Exploding” traces the ignition of catharsis from unfathomable emotional lows to a moment where you can’t help but spin with arms out, face towards the sun. With visceral, deeply-felt lyrics that see McMahon proudly leave behind a history of people-pleasing, “Exploding” shows the true breadth of what makes Angie McMahon such a one-of-a-kind musician and songwriter – the glimmers of joy, the nuance of overwhelmingly messy and tough times in life, and how facing them head-on can create pathways to growth and inner peace.
“Exploding” was co-produced by Brad Cook (Bon Iver, Snail Mail, The War On Drugs), co-written with GRAMMY winner Jenn Decilveo (Porridge Radio, White Reaper, Lucius) and features Polaris Prize nominee Leif Vollebekk on guitar and Bon Iver drummer Matt McCaughan. The song follows “Fireball Whiskey,” which was named a Best Song Of The Week selection by both NPR Music and Nylon, as well as “Letting Go” – which reached #1 on the Triple J charts in McMahon’s home country of Australia. McMahon was also prominently featured in the Sydney Morning Herald’s recent arts preview (front-and-center in their main graphic next to Olivia Rodrigo, Britney Spears and Leonardo DiCaprio), and just appeared on the viral TikTok “guess that song” quiz Trackstar – in a video that already has over 800,000 views. Last week, she performed her first US shows in four years as well – at Los Angeles’ Moroccan Lounge and New York’s Sultan Room – and sold out both nights.
The “Exploding” video, co-directed and filmed by Bridgette Winten, features vignettes of Angie McMahon against a backdrop of strikingly celestial light projections, playing with sparklers on the beach, and running through neighborhood streets. Angie shares, “I wanted the song to sound as big as flying through the galaxy, to be a space to fall apart into. It’s not always clear where we’re supposed to fall apart, but I just know it’s important that we do.”
Watch the “Exploding” video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUbdZaChu6o&feature=youtu.be
Stream “Exploding ” here: https://angiemcmahon.ffm.to/exploding
Pre-order Light, Dark, Light Again here: https://angiemcmahon.ffm.to/light-dark-lightagain
‘Light, Dark, Light Again’ comes four years after Angie’s breakout debut Salt, following a series of core-shaking reckonings and personal revelations. Returning to herself through a newfound dedication to self-compassion – via meditation, positive affirmations, journaling, tai chi, Buddhist literature, painting, microdosing – ‘Light, Dark, Light Again’ is her journey to embracing the uncertain, the temporary and the ever-changing. The quiet poetry of McMahon’s lyrics serve as a buoy to anyone facing their own fear, empowering and encouraging them to go forward. It’s a record which finds McMahon unafraid to explore the darkest places inside herself – and unveils the hope, relief and joy she’s found on the other side. Previously, McMahon won SXSW’s Grulke “Best New Artist” prize (previously won by Anderson .Paak, Haim and Leon Bridges), landed a top 5 ARIA chart debut as an independent artist in Australia, and was invited to share major stages with artists from The Pixies to Hozier to Mavis Staples.
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