Who is Maala? Mysterious Kiwi singer unveiled

The cover art for Maala's debut EP, which is released today.

A Kiwi singer known by the name Maala takes a step out from the shadows today with the release of his debut EP.

The musician has been shrouded in secrecy, with the Auckland-based singer-songwriter giving few interviews around his music - or even revealing his name.

But Maala is actually the work of 20-year-old Sony-signed artist Evan Sinton, and his five-track EP has been a two year labour-of-love.

Sinton has already had high-profile attention, with his single In the Air praised by Kiwi radio DJ Zane Lowe on his new Apple platform Beats 1.

He recently released a video for Touch, which has had major radio airplay.

With brooding lyrics backed by electronic soundscapes, Maala's sound will please anyone who's a fan of Lorde, Broods or Chet Faker.

Maala's self-titled EP also includes the songs Unbound, Higher and Magic, and is released today.

* Read next week's TimeOut, free with the NZ Herald, for a full interview with Maala.

- nzherald.co.nz