Staff

Switzerland's independent music scene has chosen the «Album of the Year» for the ninth time: This year's music prize, awarded by IndieSuisse, the association of independent Swiss music labels and producers, goes to the album The Universe Is Black by Malummí, which was chosen by a 28-member jury. The award will be presented at the m4music Festival in Zurich.

In November, all IndieSuisse members had the opportunity to nominate two releases from their catalogue of albums released in 2023 for the IndieSuisse Album of the Year and the Futuristic Perspective Award. For the latter, the members had to argue why the album they nominated offers a futuristic perspective.

Out of a total of 19 nominated albums, The Universe Is Black by Malummí was voted into first place by an independent jury of Swiss and European industry specialists. When selecting the jury, attention was paid to a diverse composition.

Following their debut album Blood (2021), Basel-based project Malummí released their second album The Universe Is Black in November 2023. It marks a departure from the quiet and soft electronic-coloured pop of the debut and ventures into a broader alternative rock sound. The familiar elements of intimate folk-pop with the distinctive, expressive vocals remain.

The Universe Is Black, by Malummí

10 track album

MalummíBandcamp New & Notable Oct 31, 2021

On the new album, Malummí applied new forms of composition and arrangement, breaking away from stylistic conventions. The new album is characterised by a captivating blend of minimalist, experimental indie rock and warm folk-pop, and explores different forms of relationships: to oneself, to other people, to society.

Influenced by personal experiences, it deals with themes such as self-love, mental health, rebirth and the joy of living. The Universe Is Black also takes a critical look at social constructs in a patriarchal, white society.

The m4music Festival is one of the most significant events in Switzerland's music industry. During two days, the festival provides a range of panels, discussions, and workshops and a wide variety of up-and-coming artists from around the globe.

New Artists In The Line-up

Today, the m4music announced additional acts which complement the already communicated line-up. Here are the latest announcements:

Friday, March 22nd

• Aime Simone
• Éna Vera
• Leila
• Mount Jacinto
• Natascha Polké
• Polarbæren

Saturday, March 23rd

• Edb
• Nathalie Fröhlich
• Wa22ermann
• Sam Quealy

On November 29, 2023, m4music announced the first round of acts in their line-up. Here are all the acts you can expect alongside our personal recommendations within the line-up:

Friday, March 22nd

• Noemi Beza
• Mary Middlefield [Negative White recommended]
• Berq
• Deadletter [Negative White recommended]
• Siren of Lesbos
• Bipolar Feminin
• Dave Okumu & The Seven Generations
• Benjamin Amaru
• Yunè Pinku
• Fulmine
• Teezo Touchdown
• Sofia Kourtesis live
• UTO

Saturday, March 23rd

• Moonpools [Negative White recommended]
• Obliecht
• Hannah Jadagu [Negative White recommended]
• Ray Laurél
• BARON.E [Negative White recommended]
• EKKSTACY
• Julia Alexa
• Say She She
• Steintor Herrenchor
• Bibiza
• Barry Can't Swim live
• Nnavy

The Chinese social media company TikTok published an aggressive-sounding statement: «It is sad and disappointing that Universal Music Group has put their own greed above the interests of their artists and songwriters.»

It is the answer to Universal Music Group's (UMG) announcement that they will pull their entire music catalogue from the platform—including artists like Taylor Swift, Elton John, or Billie Eilish. It is the result of an ending contract with no follow-up agreement between UMG and TikTok

UMG also published an open letter to the artist and songwriter community, revealing their position:

With respect to the issue of artist and songwriter compensation, TikTok proposed paying our artists and songwriters at a rate that is a fraction of the rate that similarly situated major social platforms pay. 

Today, as an indication of how little TikTok compensates artists and songwriters, despite its massive and growing user base, rapidly rising advertising revenue and increasing reliance on music-based content, TikTok accounts for only about 1% of our total revenue.

Another concern on UMG's part is the rise of AI-generated music on the platform.

UMG also states that TikTok «attempted to bully us into accepting a deal worth less than the previous deal.» According to the major label, TikTok tried to intimitate them by «selectively removing the music of certain of our developing artists, while keeping on the platform our audience-driving global stars.»

Further, UMG continues: «TikTok’s tactics are obvious: use its platform power to hurt vulnerable artists and try to intimidate us into conceding to a bad deal that undervalues music and shortchanges artists and songwriters as well as their fans.»

In response, TikTok argues against what they deem to be «Universal's false narrative and rhetoric» and claim that they have «been able to reach artist-first agreements with every other label and publisher. Clearly, Universal's self-serving actions are not in the best interests of artists, songwriters and fans.»