Malus

by Paper Anthem

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about

“This is our first song after forming with the new lineup that honestly showcases each member's playing style, and we're really excited about this one,” explains Hitchcock. “It goes through such a journey while still retaining tight pop songwriting, having elements of 2000s math rock, juvenile pop punk, and anthemic artsy alternative rock as it discusses finally meeting your soulmate but being too paralyzed to do anything about it. The fear of rejection is just not worth the risk of telling this person how you feel.” Malus was produced & mixed by Brett Shaw at 123 Studios in Peckham (Foals, Florence and the Machine, Daughter) right after Hitchcock and Haltrich first met Spoors and Taylor and started writing together. “It's our favourite song to play and truly connects the four of us as friends and a band.”

“Each time I write a song the lyrics get more and more personal. I’m quite uncomfortable with this one but that’s how I know I’m on the right path as an artist,” Hitchcock continues. “So many things I hate thinking about in my life during 2022 are packed into this song and now I think about them everytime I hear it. Wearing my heart on my sleeve, liking someone I shouldn’t have, trying drugs so this person might think I’m cool—it’s all so cringe to think about now.”

On continuing to work with Brett Shaw: “I’m always grateful to work with him. It breathed fresh life into the project, finally completing the band lineup for the first time since starting Paper Anthem in 2014, and being able to go back to 123 with Jack, Carlo, and Joe, experiencing what it’s like to make music as a band—that’s not something I’d experienced before.”

lyrics

Wanna play with your hair
I know you really don't care
If I fall in love with you, whatever
You're the girl on the phone
I know I'm better off alone
Studying sadness in the corner
I've been eating too much
And feeling so out of touch
With you and all your generation
You keep catching my eye
You're at the forefront of my mind
When I see you, I forget the lyrics

So I'll stay in bed and think of something to tell you
Magic, jukebox, make me smile, joking when I'm down
Want to get to know you in some kind of way
Spent my whole damn life waiting for this feeling

Wish you thought I was cool
I know I'm really not
Too hung up on how I feel about you
Now I know what you like
I think I've got a guy for that
Mouth buzzing, now I'm feeling better
When I see you at work
I'm far too shy to talk
That won't stop me mirroring your image
Wanna know how you feel
If you're just being nice
Are you just being nice

Cause I'm still in bed trying to think of something to tell you
Magic, jukebox, making me smile when I'm down
Won't you tell me what you want me to say
Spent my whole damn life waiting for this feeling

Don't eat the apple
Don't eat the apple
Don't eat the apple
Don't eat the apple

Waited my whole life to feel this
Now I've finally met you and you don't care
Been drifting aimless for so long
Just wreckage washing upon your shores
I can feel my heart sing when we talk
It's bringing music to all I know
Waited my whole life to feel this
But I won't wait forever to feel the sun

Won't wait forever to feel the sun
Won't wait forever
Won't wait forever

Cause I'm still in bed trying to think of something to tell you
Magic, jukebox, make me smile, joking when I'm down
Want to get to know you in some kind of way
Spent my whole damn life waiting for this feeling

Wanna play with your hair
I know you really don't care
If I fall in love with you, whatever

credits

released August 2, 2023

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about

Paper Anthem London, UK

We sound like a 2000s teen indie drama and will inspire you to make foolish emotional decisions w/ your love life

New song MALUS out now 🍎

shows

May 2

The Bedford

London, UK
May 17

Troubadour London

London, UK

discography

Gameplan

Nov 2023
Malus

Aug 2023
She

Apr 2023
Phantom

Jun 2022
The Year You'll Never Get Back

Mar 2021
To All the Sailors We've Lost

Sep 2019
By Ghosts

Apr 2015

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