Publicity Campaign: Malaika Mfalme - ‘Thirteen’
Malaika Mfalme unpacks friendship, grief, and growth with new single ‘Thirteen’, a poignant new single exploring the complexities of friendship breakups, self-reflection, and the journey towards healing. ‘Thirteen’ offers a raw, soulful take on platonic loss, an experience often overlooked in music and media.
The second single from forthcoming EP ‘Unforuling’, ‘Thirteen reflects on a time of personal upheaval, tracing Malaika’s journey from adolescence to adulthood, unpacking cycles of loss and self-blame that stem from formative relationships. The song’s choral bridge, inspired by East and South African traditions of call and response, loops the question “How do I unlearn this?” inviting listeners to reflect on their own patterns and paths to growth.
“Shifting from a romantic partner to a platonic relationship can be complex, but it’s not as devastating as when a platonic bond ends completely. Friendship breakups often feel like unnecessary grief, Why can’t we work through this together?” and yet it’s something we rarely give space to, Malaika shares. “This song is about sitting with that grief, recognising your own patterns, and learning how to move forward with more care for yourself and your chosen family.
Produced by Lunar Martins, with drums by Zsa Zsa and final touches from Drew Bisset at Offbeat Collective, ‘Thirteen’ blends folk, soul, and indie pop with Malaika’s signature warmth and honesty. The track is part of the upcoming EP ‘Unfurling,’ a body of work that weaves together stories of connection, loss, and the power of chosen family. From the indie-pop optimism of ‘Berlin’ to the intimate storytelling of ‘The History of Me and You,’ Malaika’s new music is a celebration of vulnerability and community.
The release follows the success of ‘Berlin,’ which resonated across Australian media, earning features with Happy Mag, Australian Music Scene, AMNPlify and more, as well as strong radio support from triple j, SYN FM, 4ZZZ, Joy, and community stations nationwide. The animated music video for ‘Berlin’ stands as a celebration of Black queer joy, balancing the song’s themes of grief and healing with the levity Malaika found in Berlin’s party scene.
Malaika’s sound is an intersection of folk and soul, grounded in intimate vocals and guitar, and enriched by live looping and ancestral storytelling. ‘Thirteen’ expands on this new chapter for Malaika, one that’s bigger, bolder, and more expansive, while staying true to the artist’s deeply personal roots.
