Malibu Finds Creative Freedom in Analog Roots while Crafting New Album “Vanities“
LOS ANGELES, CA – Musician Malibu is stripping back teh digital complexities of modern music production, rediscovering a tactile creative process reminiscent of early experimentation, as he puts the finishing touches on his upcoming album, “Vanities.” The artist, known for his atmospheric soundscapes, revealed a deliberate move away from reliance on extensive virtual studio technology (VSTs) and plugins, finding inspiration instead in hands-on jamming with analog synthesizers and a return to foundational songwriting techniques.
Malibu confessed to feeling “pressured by the blank page of a Logic file,” despite having access to Apple’s Logic Pro software. He explained that the sheer volume of options available through plugins can be paralyzing, leading him to primarily utilize Logic’s built-in strings and reverb effects. This realization prompted a shift during a recent studio session in Stockholm,where access to physical instruments – keyboards and a small piano - unlocked a renewed sense of creative flow. He began improvising chord progressions and recording ideas directly onto his phone, later refining promising snippets within Logic.
A pivotal element of this revitalized approach was time spent with a Udo Super 6 synthesizer. Malibu described losing himself for hours exploring the instrument’s sonic possibilities, recording extensively and then meticulously extracting short, impactful segments for use in his tracks. “I would spend hours on that synth, then listen back and cut from that. So maybe two hours of recording,I only use like 15 seconds,” he shared. This process evoked a nostalgic feeling, transporting him back to “12 years ago, when I would spend nights not looking at a clock and just trying sounds.”
The artist’s embrace of analog instrumentation and focused recording techniques is also informed by a surprising source of inspiration: Enya. While details remain scarce, Malibu’s pursuit of a “cozy” and immersive sonic atmosphere echoes the ethereal qualities of the Irish musician’s work, suggesting “Vanities” will offer a deeply textural and emotionally resonant listening experience. The album is expected to arrive later this year, offering fans a glimpse into Malibu’s evolving creative process and a soundscape built on the foundations of genuine musical exploration.
