Rnb/pop singer Ruel and indie-alternative trio DMA’s have teamed up to make music together for the first time. The collaboration has resulted in two new songs – the first of which, ‘What A Life’, has been released today (March 28).
Ruel originally brought in DMA’s – lead vocalist Tommy O’Dell and guitarists Jonny Took and Matt Mason – to co-write new music, following his 2023 debut album 4th Wall. When the sessions proved fruitful, however, each party decided that the songs should be released as a joint venture.
“Things came together very naturally,” said O’Dell in press statement. “Ruel is a special talent and we worked really well together through the writing and recording process.” Ruel, for his part, added: “This one is a little removed from either of our sounds, so it was really fun to collaborate in a different way and write an up-tempo feel-good song.”
Ruel & DMA’s – ‘What A Life’
The second collaborative single, ‘Pair Of Diamonds’, is slated for release later in 2024. It was premiered with a live performance in October last year. The surprise took place at the first of two sold-out Enmore Theatre shows DMA’s performed on their national tour. Their most recent studio album, How Many Dreams?, was released in March of 2023.
Neither Ruel nor DMA’s are strangers to collaborative efforts. The former has made songs with the likes of Dylan J (‘Notice Me’), Cosmo’s Midnight (‘Down For You’) and Genesis Owusu (‘Dream No More’). The latter, meanwhile, has collaborated with The Presets (‘R U Here?’), What So Not (‘The Change’) and MAY-A (‘Junk Truck Head Fuck’).
Further Reading
DMA’S Reveal Unheard ‘Delete’ Demo on ‘What a Great Punk’ Podcast
Johnny Took of DMA’S Launches Melbourne Studio with Small Time Group’s Steve Hibberd
Ruel On Playing Tyler, The Creator’s Festival, Album Plans & Staying Grounded At 15
