Barbara Braccini
Barbara Braccini (born 9 November 1994), known professionally as Malibu, is a French musician. She works primarily within ambient and experimental electronic music. In addition to her solo releases, she has collaborated and produced music for other artists. Critics have described her compositions as diaristic, often exploring themes of memory and loss.
Life and career
Barbara Braccini was born in Pau, France[1] and grew up in a musical household. Her father was a jazz pianist and her mother taught music theory. She later studied classical music at a French conservatory. In interviews, Braccini has described the conservatory environment as rigid, which contributed to a temporary disengagement from music.[2]
After completing secondary education, Braccini studied cinema and became involved with a community of artists experimenting with synthesizers. During this period, she formed a close friendship that drew her back to music, spending many nights exploring electronic sounds on a MIDI keyboard connected to a Roland expander.[3]
Braccini began releasing music online in the mid-2010s, primarily through SoundCloud, under several aliases. As dj lostboi, she produces loop-based electronic reinterpretations of pop songs and as belmont girl she focuses on a more euphoric, heavenly production.[4][5][6]
In 2016, she attended the Red Bull Music Academy in Montreal,[7] where she met French artist Oklou. The two later collaborated on multiple projects, including a remix by Braccini for Oklou’s album Choke Enough.[8]
Her first widely recognised release appeared in 2017 on Mono No Aware, a compilation released by the Berlin-based label PAN. Her track “Held” introduced her work to a broader audience.[9]
In 2019, Braccini released her debut EP, One Life, through UNO NYC and Joyful Noise Recordings. The five track mini-LP further showcased her affinity for atmospheric vocals and enchanting synths.[9]
She later launched a monthly radio programme on NTS titled United in Flames, featuring ambient, trance, and experimental electronic music, with guest contributors appearing regularly.[10]
In 2021, Braccini released One Life: Four Remixes, featuring contributions from Julianna Barwick, John Beltran, Kelly Moran, and Evian Christ.[11]
She released her second EP Palaces of Pity in 2022. The EP explores the themes of loss and grief[4] accompanied by oceanic imagery and was supported by the single “Atlantic Diva.”[12]
In 2024, Braccini collaborated with Swedish artist Merely on Essential Mixtape, recorded during her time living in Stockholm and released through the Stockholm-based label YEAR0001.[13][14]
In 2025, she released her debut studio album Vanities on YEAR0001. The album was supported by the singles “Spicy City” and “So Sweet & Willing.”[15]
Beyond her solo work, Braccini has contributed voice and sound work to animated films directed by Caroline Poggi and Jonathan Vinel.[16][17][18] She is also frequently collaborating with visual artist Igor Pjörrt[19], who has photographed her artworks and press images and directed the music video for “Spicy City.”[20]
She has appeared as a featured vocalist on tracks by British cellist and composer Oliver Coates, including “Apparition” and “Soaring X”[21][22] and has been credited with production work for artists such as Bladee and Namasenda.[23][24]
In May 2026, she contributed a remix of a song "Saturn's Return" to a remix album Midnight Sun: Girls Trip by Zara Larsson.[25]
Discography
- One Life (EP, 2019)[26]
- Palaces Of Pity (EP, 2022)[27]
- Essential Mixtape (mixtape, with Merely, 2024)[28]
- Vanities (album, 2025)[29]
References
- ^ "Malibu (Live) | Société des arts technologiques [SAT]". sat.qc.ca. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ "Beat Construction: How Malibu made her ambient heaven on Vanities". The FADER. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ Dazed (2 January 2026). "Malibu is an ambient antidote for the chronically online". Dazed. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ a b Dazed (21 November 2022). "French artist Malibu's ethereal music explores the cycles of grief". Dazed. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ "Per Aspera Ad Astra NERO Editions". www.neroeditions.com. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ Bruce-Jones, Henry (3 November 2023). "Interview: Malibu". Fact Magazine. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ "Montréal 2016". www.redbullmusicacademy.com. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ Monroe, Jazz (25 June 2025). "Oklou Releases New Remix EP Featuring Nick León, Malibu, and More". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ a b "Recognise: Malibu". DJ Mag. 23 August 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ Radio, N. T. S. "United In Flames w/ Malibu". NTS Radio. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ "One Life : four remixes, by Malibu". Malibu. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ "Malibu shares new song "Atlantic Diva"". The FADER. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ "Essential Mixtape | YEAR0001 INDEX". index.year0001.com. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ "YEAR0001 INDEX". index.year0001.com. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ Monroe, Jazz (11 September 2025). "Malibu Announces Debut Album Vanities, Shares New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ Baby Anger (2020) | MUBI. Retrieved 29 January 2026 – via mubi.com.
- ^ "Comment ça va? | How Are You?". www.berlinale.de. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ "Pragueshorts - The Exploding Girl". www.pragueshorts.com. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ "Malibu: Timeless Luxuries". Office Magazine. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
- ^ Malibu (18 August 2025). Malibu — Spicy City (official video). Retrieved 28 January 2026 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Apparition (feat. Malibu), by Oliver Coates". Oliver Coates. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ "Soaring X (featuring Malibu), by Oliver Coates". Oliver Coates. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ "Ambrosia - EP by Namasenda". Genius. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ "Our favorite Zara Larsson remix is an ambient sound bath". The FADER. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
- ^ Sherburne, Philip. "Malibu: One Life". Pitchfork. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ Srivatsa, Arjun Ram. "Malibu: Palaces of Pity EP". Pitchfork. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ Garvey, Meaghan. "Merely / Malibu: Essential Mixtape". Pitchfork. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ^ D’Souza, Shaad. "Malibu: Vanities". Pitchfork. Retrieved 28 January 2026.