Mister Co and Lia Magu are here to make you groove and inspire you to pursue your wildest dreams.
In the ever-evolving world of music, it’s a rare delight to encounter a duo that encapsulates passion, authenticity, and an unwavering commitment to storytelling.
Mister Co, the husband duo composed of Connor and Oscar Absolum, hailing from Melbourne, effortlessly weaves universal tales into their sonic tapestry.
Off of the back of their fourth single Just You & I back in September, the captivating musicians and producers have kept up the momentum and released their much-anticipated fifth single Better Lives, released on October 20, this time partnering with the talented Melbourne independent artist Lia Magu.
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Better Lives is the latest jewel in the crown of Mister Co’s forthcoming debut album, On This Journey. This track is more than just music; it’s a pulsating journey through the challenges faced by a couple determined to carve their path to success and happiness. It resonates as an anthem for those striving for greatness while overcoming obstacles.
In an electrifying fusion of electro-disco and synth-pop, Better Lives transcends genres to deliver an experience that’s impossible to resist, despite initially taking shape as a ballad with alternative harmonies.
Hitting a creative roadblock, the duo decided to revitalise the project and give it the danceable energy it needed.
“Randomly we asked ourselves, ‘what if we made it a dance track?’,” they share, “So we did… we increased the BPM and layered synths, but we were still missing a driving vocal we both felt needed some height in range.”
That’s when Lia Magu, known for her independent music style, entered the picture, injecting her unique perspective and writing skills to create a song that would peak in a climactic moment.
A testament to the serendipitous encounters that often fuel great art, the story of how Mister Co met Lia Magu reads like a musical fairy tale, beginning at an open mic night, where the first sparks of their creative connection ignited.
“We all met at an open mic night in Yarraville last year, it was actually the first performance we did as Mister Co, so Lia has been there right from the start,” Mister Co explains.
“Since then we have been producing a few tracks with Lia for her upcoming debut EP coming out in 2024. While working on the EP we played a demo ballad version of Better Lives during a session, Lia started singing over it and it all just clicked.
“Lia was the final piece of the puzzle, and her natural ability to write lyrics, counter melodies and add harmony lent itself well to this track.”
Transforming from a ballad into an electrifying track with emotional resonance and danceability, the lyrics of Better Lives find their roots in the challenges that Connor and Oscar face as a couple, partners in both life and music.
“Our relationship was at the centre of this song, being in a duo together, running a corporate company together and chasing the dreams we have set for each other is a serious grind.”
In essence, Better Lives encapsulates the energy, drive, and unwavering commitment required to navigate the grind of life as a duo. It’s a testament to the power of love, partnership, and determination in the face of adversity.
Crucial to shaping the distinctive sound of Better Lives in its final form was the co-production and engineering once again by Dominik Honold from Protonaut Studios in Germany. His expertise in Eurovision-style music production and mixing was instrumental in bringing the track to life. The vision was clear – “Eurovision was an inspiration for this track, we visualised it playing in clubs across Europe”, and Dominik’s contributions ensured it reached that electrifying destination.
Mister Co’s musical journey has been nothing short of eclectic. Their previous tracks have explored various genres, ranging from rock to funk. Better Lives, however, ventures into the realm of electro-disco and synth-pop. This surprising shift in sound was a conscious decision, as they wanted to break free from genre constraints for their debut album, On This Journey.
“We wanted to write our songs the way we wanted to and for each song to have a suitable genre to help emphasise the stories behind the songs. Never in a million years did we think we would ever write an electro-disco and synth-pop song but it just gave this track the energy and feel it needed.”
Slated for an early 2024 release, the album will feature Better Lives – a standout in their repertoire – alongside their previous singles in a collection of songs that narrate their path from high school to the stage, culminating in their union as husbands.
With Better Lives out in the wild, Mister Co holds high hopes that the track will be embraced by audiences looking for a good time and a burst of energy.
“We just want this song to allow people to have a good time and take some of the energy the song creates to implement in their own lives while striving to reach their dreams and goals. With summer around the corner here in Australia, we hope this song can be heard on dance floors across the country.”
Better Lives is bound to set playlists and dance floors ablaze with its infectious rhythms and catchy melodies. Listen to the single here.
This article was made in partnership with Mister Co.
