Singer-songwriter Malcolm Todd recently released his new sophomore album, “Do That Again,” June 5. The album introduced me to Todd’s music, offering a fun, flirty pop album that perfectly conveys the complicated nature of modern love.
“Do That Again” shows that Todd can dive into lighthearted topics such as casual attraction and youthful recklessness, while also discussing topics of romantic heartbreak and feelings of anxiety.
From Todd’s 2025 self-titled debut album, I most enjoyed “Bleed,” which features the singer Omar Apollo and blends the indie pop genre with hints of R&B. This signature mixture that Todd brings extends to his most recent album, which further amplifies his signature sound’s lyrical heights while also showing a level of maturity.
The album begins with the 59-second long track “Jean Skirt,” where Todd builds up the romantic tension between himself and his love interest.
Paired with lyrics that rapidly intensify their physical chemistry, such as mentioning Todd sweating more and more as the song continues, Todd brings the song to a climax. With the line, “And now they’re on the floor,” the song’s previously stripped-down instrumentals come together and heighten all at once, setting up the album’s vibrant display of emotion.
Strengthening the album further, Todd subconsciously speaks to a shared male experience, while relating to anyone facing relationship struggles. “Do That Again” rejects modern male stereotypes which placate men to hide their true emotions. Todd unabashedly explores what makes him human — his flaws, desires and wishes for romantically involving himself with other people. He does all this within such a warm exploration of self not only vocally but lyrically and sonically.
In my favorite track, “Free.99,” Todd sings about how he feels after ending a toxic relationship, showing how the situation still continues to affect him despite him leaving a bad atmosphere. The lyrics “I couldn’t breathe with your hands on my neck / Now I’ve got too much air” masterfully illustrate the complicated feelings that come with ending a relationship.
I really enjoyed how groovy this song felt, becoming a recurring aspect of what made this album stand out to me. While the album is set in an indie-pop genre, Todd’s R&B-infused vocals make it increasingly interesting to listen to for someone who is a fan of both genres. Todd’s interlacing of these genres made the album feel more romantic in nature, offering a slower, more sensual approach to love despite being technically pop music.
A few of the tracks reminded me of another song I really enjoy, JMSN’s “Don’t Make Me Change.” Although this song is arguably more R&B-focused than Todd’s album, I found various similarities in the way the singers both used their voices to showcase passion and longing.
Right after this track, Todd delivers the album’s centerpiece of romantic passion. In “Breathe,” Todd expresses the feeling of desire and love in a way that is both charming and excellently put. This romantically, playful track divides the familiarity which comes with a social setting to that of a more raw and intimate one-on-one connection, one that Todd clearly prefers in his search for touch and connection with this person.
As his friends leave, Todd is alone with his romantic interest, yearning for their touch. As he begs them to “Breathe into me / Don’t you miss it? It’s been so long,” the song allows us to see that this relationship is more romantically complex than we thought, carrying history between the two.
The track “Malcolm in the Middle,” features a title that both alludes to Todd’s personal life and references the 2000s show “Malcolm in the Middle.” This sitcom focused on a highly intelligent boy named Malcolm, the middle child in his chaotic family. Drawing a connection to his own life, the title connects to Todd’s father, who was a TV scriptwriter for sitcoms such as “The Middle.”
The song’s catchy instrumental and groovy beat work together with Todd’s main vocals and a symphony of background vocals amplifying the chorus. Todd uses the sitcom metaphor to discuss the feelings of being in an emotional limbo, hung up on a previous relationship while also wanting to jump into a new one. Todd is seemingly stuck in the middle of this decision, alike to the familial chaos sitcom Malcolm is in as the middle child.
With songs that illustrate his own exploration of love as a young man, I feel like the album is quite instrumental in showcasing what few talk about: deep male emotion. Often, I feel that many male singers' discussion of love is quite surface level, based merely on physical attraction. Todd, however, introduces listeners to his own insecurities and regrets.
For anyone unfamiliar with Todd’s music like I was, I highly suggest checking out this new album. It masterfully blends quite intense emotions of love with naïve feelings of passion, allowing Todd to show the duality of the youth romantic experience.
