MAHAL

MAHAL marks Chaz Bear's seventh studio album and his debut for the Dead Oceans label. Moving away from the polished synth-pop of Outer Peace and the house-inflected grooves of his earlier work, MAHAL is a deep dive into 1970s-inspired psychedelic rock and funk. The album's title, meaning both 'love' and 'expensive' in Tagalog, serves as a cornerstone for Bear's exploration of his Filipino heritage, symbolized by the Jeepney featured on the cover and in the album's visual identity. Recorded with a live-band feel, the album features collaborations with Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Salami Rose Joe Louis, contributing to its sprawling, collaborative atmosphere. Critics from AllMusic and The Guardian noted the album's successful shift toward a more organic, guitar-centric sound, praising its ability to maintain Bear's signature 'chill' aesthetic while introducing a new level of instrumental depth and grit. It stands as a bold departure that reaffirms his status as a restless stylistic polymath.