Los Angeles based artist KiNG MALA is here to bring life back into the alternative scene.
Her latest six-track EP "GEMiNi" is a very promising collection of songs that are filled to the brim with energy and depth. KiNG MALA is the moniker of El Paso born Areli Castro. Her music is filled with honesty, deep bass drops, and luscious emotions that are almost evil but in a good way if that’s possible. Or maybe that’s just what badass feminity sounds like? Probably.
Around here we love a good come-up story with hero origins. Castro shares, "When I listened to the songs when they were finally done, I realized that two distinct characters stood out to me. The version of myself that is powerful, confident, and unapologetic (I like to think of this as my alter ego). But then there was this unexpected version of myself that started to appear the more I wrote which felt vulnerable, soft, and honest. I realized that as different as each song is, the whole EP is just 2 sides of the same coin playing out over and over again, 2 versions of the same character. So that is the reason I chose the name Gemini, to represent the balance and chaos between two halves of the same thing."
Produced by Rob Auerbach and mastered by John Greenham (Billie Eilish, Sam Smith, Katy Perry, Banks), every track evokes youthful energy while maintaining a musical sophistication.
Her songs touch upon subjects familiar to people who are tired of conformity. KiNG MALA also isn’t afraid to spill her guts so if you are looking for honest music no need to search any further. She comes from a place of boldness and bravery. Raised in a Hispanic home, the artist is passionate about supporting the LGBTQ+, POC, and Indigenous communities and being open about mental health. Castro shares,
“That’s really the inspiration for the name KiNG MALA, king cuz fuck being someone’s queen, and mala literally means “bad bitch” in Spanish.”
You will soon feel confidently at home with KiNG MALA’s music. KiNG MALA hopes her music may allow others to feel cool and safe.
“I hope it helps people feel okay with what they feel, I'm a person with very intense feelings and it took me a long time to realize that that's a gift, not a weakness.”