Mamalarky's brand of dazed indie-pop comprises songs that set a horizontal mood. Featuring Livvy Bennett and Noor Khan (who you may know as part of Faye Webster's live band) plus White Denim keyboard player Michael Hunter among its ranks, the band's self-titled 2020 debut is a lo-fi collection of songs to vibe out to, with layers of complexity if you're here for that, too. Bennett's vocals and guitars guide much of Mamalarky's music but on new song "Will I See U?" she shares the spotlight with Benét, the Richmond, VA singer-songwriter who recently joined Yeule and Beach Fossils on Bayonet Records.
Together they tap into a modern romantic malaise, wondering if they will ever see their crush again and whether or not their feelings are reciprocated. That sense of longing and bittersweet sadness cuts through "Will I See U?" at every stage, rendering the whole thing with a melancholy tone to accompany both Bennett and Benét's sugary melodies.
"The first time I met Benét I was in Richmond half asleep on a couch at Alfred’s house while the live action Goosebumps series was on, serenading me to sleep," Bennett says via email. "I was really tired from tour but I peeped open my eyes and there he was, being all sweet and smiley! Later that night, we played an amazing show together and became fast friends."
"One weekend when Benét was in Atlanta we met up and started working on this idea I had been demoing and sending over to them. We tracked from home so we were kind of just huddled in, bouncing ideas. Benét wrote his verse on the spot and we just kind of felt the song come to life from there.”
"The song is about the people in my life where our relationship exists mostly in the bounds of my imagination. For various reasons, they feel so unattainable. Maybe we’ve drifted, they live far away, or maybe they don’t see anyone much at all anymore. And some people really just don’t want to give you the time of day and that’s fine too! The song is basically me being frustrated at how badly I want to be around someone that doesn’t reciprocate, so I’m left wondering."
“I had been obsessed with Mamalarky since we had booked that show in Richmond" Benét adds. "Lowkey I manifested our song together because I forced them to let me sing harms during the live show on their song “Hero” and a few months later we linked up in Atlanta for the second time ever and made this track. it wasn’t awkward at all because we stay chatting on and off line. "Will I See U?” for me is about building the courage to make sure I will. Planting the seed. Doing it right! Communication is key!"