The group made itself known in 2004 with the release of its first album, "Le Compte Complet." Critics welcomed the disc with positive reviews, which allowed the group to become instantly famous in the Québécois music scene. Several of its songs, such as "Le Métronome" and "La Valérie," were prominent mainstays on several Québec radio stations. For the production of the album, the group turned to Martin Pelland from fellow Montreal band The Dears.
In the months that followed the release of their first album, Malajube launched a tour across Québec, participating in several major festivals, such as Les FrancoFolies de Montréal.
In February 2006, the quartet released its sophomore album, Trompe-l’œil, which also received a warm welcome on the part of Québec media. Collaborations with singer Pierre Lapointe, Québecois rap group Loco Locass, and the use of a wide variety of instruments has contributed to the album's success. Trompe-l'œil also began to attract attention in English Canada in July, when it was shortlisted for the inaugural Polaris Music Prize, and in the United States in October, when it was a featured review on Pitchfork Media. In 2006, they won three Félix Award at the 28th edition of the Gala de l'ADISQ: two for Trompe-l’œil, "Best alternative album" and "Best cover art" while they were proclaimed "Revelation of the year 2006".
Their third album, Labyrinthes, was released on February 10th 2009.
Their song "Montreal -40° C" was featured in a Rogers Wireless commercial, and Ton Plat Favori was in a Zellers commercial.
L'amour sous l'eau
Malajube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nos maillots prennent le bord
Et nos corps s'enracinent
Encore et encore
C'est l'ennuie qui s'anime
Nos maillots prennent le bord
Et nos pieds ratatinent
The lyrics to Malajube's song L'Amour Sous L'Eau describe a scene where boredom is the catalyst for movement and excitement. The repetition of "c'est l'ennuie qui s'anime" ("it's boredom that animates") suggests that the singers are feeling restless and uninspired. However, as they shed their clothes and roots grow, a sense of vitality returns. The use of the word "ratatinent" to describe the shriveling of the feet, coupled with the repetition of "encore et encore" ("again and again"), makes it clear that this is a cycle that will happen over and over.
The imagery in the lyrics evokes a sensual, aquatic setting, where bodies are submerged and the weightlessness of water allows for freedom of movement. The juxtaposition between the mundane reality of feeling bored and the physical experience of being immersed in water creates a dreamlike quality to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
C'est l'ennuie qui s'anime
Boredom comes to life
Nos maillots prennent le bord
Our bathing suits are discarded
Et nos corps s'enracinent
And our bodies become rooted
Encore et encore
Over and over again
Contributed by Alice N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.