Mallrat – Light Hit My Face Like a Straight Right

Brisbane-born artist Grace Shaw, also known as Mallrat, will release her sophomore album this week. Light Hit My Face Like a Straight Right is a loose concept album, centring on ideas of light and divine intervention, aiming to investigate human connection and uncover the joys of the metaphysical. Her medium of choice is a blend of dance, electronic and indie pop, as well as drawing inspiration from shoegaze and Irish Gaelic to create a twelve-piece soundscape.

My Darling, My Angel is a soft opener, satisfyingly full in its production. Despite its shorter length, it is beautiful and encompassing enough to introduce you to this world. It sets the scene; the lyrics describe feeling translucent, like a ray of glowing light herself, and waiting for someone to show up. These are threads that run boldly through the project. Pavement is a perfect choice to chase it up. Although it’s one of the more unassuming tracks – relaxed mix, ideal to play in the early evening – it’s a standout. One of the two samples it features is the chorus and the contrast works excellently. After, Virtue is an inventive and magical tune filled with feedback, distorted vocals and eerie plucking.

The first half of the album feels like a build-up to the second, the songs more stripped back and, sometimes, leaving one wishing there was a break of tension or some semblance of a beat drop. There’s finally some movement when we’re hit with Hocus Pocus. Mallrat comes into her dance element here, the electronic beats, heightened production and hypnotic melody bolstered by lyrics that tie in conceptually. She talks of magic and floating away, evoking feelings often linked with the rave scene. A number like this is destined for an atmosphere like that.

Shaw takes pride most of all in her production, and it’s aptly placed. The difference between The Light Streams In and Hits My Face and Love Songs/Heart Strings highlights this. Both short interludes with almost identical words, it’s the vastly different musical choices that set them apart in a striking way, proving how vital she is as a producer.

Ultimately a dreamy album full of ambition and risk, Light Hit My Face Like a Straight Right is what a second album should be – an entry into a different sound with some choices that pay off and some that don’t quite. In any case, it will certainly find its home in the dance scene this Valentine’s Day. 

Talitha Stowell
Photo: Sammy-Jo Lang-Waite

Light Hit My Face Like a Straight Right is released on 14^th February 2025. For further information or to order the album visit Mallrat’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Pavement here: