Mal Blum returns with new LP, “The Villain“, out July 11th, 2025 via Get Better Records —a striking resurgence that combines the artist’s trademark blend of searing and wry lyricism with novel boldness and slight camp.
Though the title might seem to suggest a torchy breakup record (admittedly, those elements are present as on lead-single “I’m so Bored,”) ultimately “The Villain” is a work about human complexity. Each song reflects aspects and archetypes of villainy in ourselves, in others, and in the world around us.
Throughout 11 tracks, Blum explores shifting perspectives, internal truths, subtle deceptions and moral dualities. This makes up the main album: a mix of textured indie rock, alt-rock and pop influences shaped heavily by a new collaboration with breakout producer Jessica Boudreaux, and featuring several contributions by longtime bandmates Audrey Zee Whitesides (Speedy Ortiz) and Ricardo Lagomasino (Lucy Dacus).
In the world of the album, there is no one villain. Sometimes the villain is an unreliable narrator, a misunderstood character, or a heel-turn performance of villainy. Often, perhaps notably, given the historical and rapidly mounting demonization of trans people as villainous bogeymen (explored on tracks like “Killer” and “A Small Request”) the villain appears to be a purposeful external construct.
If half “The Villain” focuses on relationship to others, the other half prioritizes relationship to self. The songs explore not only the destruction of partnership but the rebuilding of identity, with a lingering question of what is truly “bad” or “right.” It is not an album about being trans (to call it such would be reductive and inaccurate), but the album themes are firmly rooted in, and contextually informed by Blum’s trans-masculine and non-binary perspective.
“I’m So Bored” by Mal Blum off their upcoming new album ‘The Villain’ out July 11th, 2025 via Get Better Records
The Fat Angel Sings 