We often think of paranoia in its most debilitating forms. Delusions of persecution, irrational fears of being targeted and followed, an unshakeable feeling that the world is conspiring against you. The reality, however, is usually more subtle. Bolstered by intense feelings of fear, jealousy, or rage, it doesn’t take much for a simple misunderstanding or misgiving to transform into something darker. One moment we’re pricked by a thorny sadness or bowled over by a crushing doubt. The next thing you know, the walls are closing in and every instinct is screaming for you to run.

It’s never clear what prompts Josh Smith, aka mallbangs, to take off and flee on their new video “Well (x3).” Perhaps it’s the remnants of some haunting nightmare they’ve just awoken from. Or maybe it’s something more threatening and immediate. As viewers, we only see Smith suddenly jolted from their slumber and quickly run off, eyes wide in a panicked daze. There’s no obvious threat visible; the only clues we’re provided arrive in the form of nervous backward glances and the song’s lyrics, which are superimposed on the screen in alarming kidnap-letter cutouts. “Don’t waste your time / Leave no trace / Watch your back / They’re on the attack,” they warn. Who “they” are, however, remains a mystery.

Meanwhile, the song’s propulsive thrust only adds to the anxiety. With its buzzing rhythms and sparkling synths, the pace is driving but well-measured, never teetering over the edge into anything resembling panic. Some of that has to do with Smith’s vocals, which remain cool and collected, even as they seem to outline the inevitability of a tragic ending. Still, the mood remains uneasy throughout.

Joining Smith on the track are Benjamin Homola and Daniel Gleason of alt-rock giants Grouplove, whose tight interplay gives “Well (x3)” much of its springy energy. Together the duo represents part of a small cadre of local musicians who helped Mallbangs bring their forthcoming debut EP to life, a group that includes drummer Marshall Vore (Phoebe Bridgers) and bassist Grace Repasky (Lunar Vacation). For his part, Gleason also took on the role of producer for the record, inserting himself (presumptuously, to use his words) into the project after hearing an early version of another Mallbangs track. After some experimentation, the key to their partnership became discovering the proper balance between Gleason’s rock-forward aesthetic and Smith’s classic bedroom-pop approach. In the case of “Well (x3),” those colliding forces result in a sound that is anthemic and suspenseful.

“We wanted to create some tension within the music to play off the paranoia of the lyrics,” says Gleason. “It was really our first step into more of an upbeat/driving approach, and the trick was to do a rock song but have it fit inside of his world. Now whether people listening hear it that way, or even care… I’m [just] really happy that we feel we hit our own mark of what we wanted to accomplish with it. Having Ben Homola on the track was a huge part of that.”

Watch/listen above.

“Well (x3)” is the latest single from Mallbangs’ debut EP, Put Me Out, which is out tomorrow.

More Info
Bandcamp: mallbangs.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @mallbangs
Instagram: @mallbangs
Soundcloud: @mallbangs
Tumblr: mallbangs.tumblr.com
Twitter: @mallbangs