With her new single “Want It Back” Malou Lovis makes a powerful statement for courage, equality, and self-determination. The singer-songwriter delves into the comparison between her carefree childhood and the pressure to conform to societal norms as an adult. The song, both wistful and powerful, intertwines intimate vulnerability with strength, creating an inspiring anthem about self-empowerment and the journey to reclaim one’s true self.
Musically, the song takes listeners on a dreamy journey with its soaring pianos, atmospheric synthesizers, vocal chops, and an energetic beat, enveloping them in a celestial soundscape. “As a child, I was much braver and instinctively disregarded rules that didn’t seem logical to me. But back then, I didn’t notice it. I see it much more clearly in hindsight,” Malou shares, reflecting on the song’s inspiration. “With ‘Want It Back,’ I celebrate that childhood courage and wonder how we can rediscover the strength we sometimes lose over the course of our lives.”
An early example from her childhood: “In kindergarten, I adamantly refused to use a pink toothbrush, insisting on a blue one.” Her determination went so far that she repeatedly broke the heads off the pink toothbrushes, regardless of the consequences. This bold and fearless attitude, she notes, diminished as she got older, partly due to societal conformity. “Want It Back” reflects on the longing to reclaim that childlike carefreeness and self-assurance. It is an ode to the ability to be who we truly are without fear or shame.
The themes of the song – coming of age, equality, freedom, empowerment, LGBTQI+, and societal self-determination – are both personally and socially relevant. Malou reflects on her queer identity, her journey as an adult artist, and the importance of standing by one’s own values, even when it means facing setbacks or opposition. This is a Pride message that resonates far beyond the queer community.
In “Want It Back,” Malou not only embraces boldness once again, as she did with her Pride debut single “Glacier Rivers,” but also marks a new peak in her artistic development. Following songs like “Twenty-Five,” which dealt with themes of homelessness and personal loss, or “Step By Step,” which described her steady path as a young musician, her new single exemplifies the realization of her musical vision, seamlessly blending personal experiences with universal, socially relevant themes in an artistically sophisticated way.
Once again, Malou Lovis proves that she is much more than the winner of “The Voice of Germany.” She is an authentic, versatile artist who courageously and openly tackles themes of equality, freedom, and self-empowerment.
“Want It Back” will be released on January 17, 2025, via Embassy of Music.