Cataleya Meadows – MALICE (2026)
With personal narratives, a penchant for storytelling, and emotionally moving melodies, Cataleya Meadows wins hearts with her intimate artistry. Celebrating the triumphs and tragedies of life, the singer-songwriter and producer delves into those places of vulnerability and fragility, while clinging to feelings of resilience and strength. Join us as we dive into her debut single, ‘MALICE’
Co-produced by Meadows and Serj Anto, ‘MALICE’ is not only our introduction to Meadows, but an insight into her upcoming EP, TRANSCENDENCE. A solid pop song, ‘MALICE’ can fit easily in any modern-day pop playlist; however, there is a deeper indie-pop vibe lingering in the track’s arrangement. As if a sonic tapestry, keyboards shimmer across with a silvery thread, as the drums steadily beat in glowing red. Percussion peeps in a gallant green, and a piano clips in the edges like a blue ribbon. Every instrument melds together in rhythmic harmony – easy on the ears, engaging, and entertaining. However, it is Meadows’ mellifluous vocals that bind the song with an emotional golden twine.
Melodically, ‘MALICE’ is a tender tune, but vulnerability and fragility linger in the lyricism – wonderfully executed in the tremulous alto. Cataleya Meadows explains: “’MALICE’ is a song about the memories we try to bury – the ones that shape who we become. It explores suppressed emotions, old wounds, and the ways we learn to protect ourselves when vulnerability doesn’t feel safe. At the heart of the song is the line, “It’s not malice, it’s disguise” – the idea that what looks like coldness, anger, or distance can sometimes be nothing more than a form of self-protection.”
So, what is my overall opinion of Cataleya Meadows? With ‘MALICE’, we encounter an intriguing pop artist with great potential. I am eager to hear more and cannot wait for the upcoming EP. Highly recommended.
In addition to the single, Cataleya Meadows released an official music video for ‘MALICE’. You can view the video below and/or on her YouTube channel.
Find out more about Cataleya Meadows on her Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Bandcamp and Spotify.
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