Nao Mali returns with FAG – their most controversial and in-your-face track to date, due for release 8th September 2023. FAG is the second single on upcoming EP-turned-album SCANDAL. FAG not only marks the beginning of Nao’s collaboration with creative director Martin Falck (Robyn, Fever Ray) for the upcoming album, but it also features the shred queen Vixen (lead guitarist for Halsey and Rina Sawayama).
FAG mixes heavy metal guitars over a booming club beat, with Nao rapping verses so X-rated they will make hate-mongering conservatives spontaneously combust. The hook reclaims a homophobic slur and flips it into the party anthem 2023 desperately needs:
“I’m a fag / That’s a fact / I walk fast / Never look back”
This latest single by Nao is a move away from the R&B/garage-style electronica they have pioneered over the past couple of years. Instead, FAG delves into hyperpop; the production is very Dylan Brady mixed with PVA with the distorted guitars, loud sub bass but audibly clear layers.
Nao: “This song for me is the death of my internalised homophobia. I’m not ashamed of who I am anymore so therefore I’m no longer hiding myself. Once you stop hiding, you will start to gain love and appreciation for who you really are. Today I proudly take the risk of being myself in front of other people and not letting the fear of being judged by others control my life. I am a fag, and that’s a fact.“
This summer Nao Mali has toured Sweden’s biggest stages as part of Daniela Rathanas “School of Rathana” tour. Nao also played sold out solo shows at Stockholm Pride and the main stage of Copenhagen Pride, and will do double shows at Oslo’s by:Larm festival in September. FAG is Nao Mali’s second single off their upcoming release SCANDAL. What was meant to be an EP has developed into an album, set for release early-2024.
