Mamalarky - "Feels So Wrong"

Los Angeles’ Mamalarky have expanded their listener base in recent years thanks to two excellent records. Their 2020 self-titled debut and its 2022 follow-up, Pocket Fantasy, garnered praise for its adventurous and math-y instrumentation. They recently made the leap to Epitaph, announcing the forthcoming release of their third album, Hex Key. “Feels So Wrong” is the record’s second offering and shows the young band pushing the envelope once again.

The song feels light and breezy, evoking something more akin to a 70s AM radio hit, with of course, some structural twists and turns. There are definite Yacht rock undertones, but something more akin to the jazz-prog stylings of Steely Dan. Frontoerson Livvy Bennett shared the following about the inspiration behind the track:

Certain times in my life have felt like a weird intersection, where a lot of good and bad happen at the same time. At this point, I had quit my full time job to go on tour and subsequently deliver pizzas, often for no tips, and always with no working AC. I had also started producing music at a greater capacity than ever before and felt really hopeful about what was being made. Still every day ended in an inconclusive feeling. When I started writing “Feels So Wrong” I was recognizing that the things that should make you feel happy never bring as much meaning as sorting through the muck, confronting your challenges even when it sucks, even when there’s no end in sight. There is always reason to remain hopeful, even in uncertain, murky times when everything feels wrong. I swear!

Stream the track below!

You can pre-order Hex Key via Bandcamp. Keep up with the band by following them on Instagram.