Are men OK? Actor Jena Malone genuinely hopes so on a beguiling new album

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If a natural disaster strikes Los Angeles soon, Jena Malone could be among the first people helping out.

The 41-year-old actor and musician explained, while having coffee at home with a view of pomegranate trees and a canyon in northeast Los Angeles, that she’s been taking a Community Emergency Response Team course. She feels it’s now more important to focus on changing how she lives and helping her community – whether that’s through fire safety or local projects – than on achieving professional success. She wants to create a system where people support each other and meet each other’s needs.

Rosemary Malone is focusing on important and inspiring projects. She’s known for directing acclaimed films like the sci-fi mystery “Donnie Darko,” appearing in the popular “Hunger Games” movies as Johanna Mason, and recently starring in the action film “Love Lies Bleeding.” Beyond acting and directing, she’s also been creating unique music, blending folk and electronic sounds with both experimental noise and heartfelt lyrics, for many years.

Things are changing rapidly in Los Angeles, especially for those who care about its creative scene, and musician Julia Malone is right in the middle of it. As her new Netflix series, “The Boroughs,” created with the Duffer Brothers, is about to launch, she’s also releasing her first album in almost ten years. “Flowers For Men” is a unique and experimental record, born from the experience of becoming a mother and re-evaluating her relationships with men and the future world her son will grow up in.

Becoming a father completely changed my perspective, Malone explained. I was raised to succeed by fitting into traditionally masculine environments, and I bought into the idea that constant work and pushing myself were the keys to success – a harmful mindset I now recognize. But having a child forced me to re-evaluate everything and discard old beliefs. I realized I didn’t really know what being a man meant, and many of my previous ideas fell apart without being replaced.

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As someone who grew up watching movies, I’ve always been captivated by Malin Akerman. She’s been consistently great since she first caught my eye as a kid in ‘Contact’ back in 1997. There’s just something about her – she perfectly captures a kind of beautiful, troubled spirit that feels uniquely American. You really get drawn in by her performances, and I always trust that she’ll deliver something interesting.

Created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews, “The Boroughs” is the highly anticipated new series from the creators of “Stranger Things.” Featuring a strong cast including Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, and Bill Pullman, the show takes place in a seemingly peaceful retirement community that’s facing a supernatural danger. With the team behind “Stranger Things” at the helm, it might just be the most reliable show on television right now.

Malone sees a similar situation happening in Hollywood today. It feels like a once-reliable industry is now facing serious challenges. Things like companies merging, rising expenses, and new technologies are creating a feeling that a long-lasting period is ending, and things are likely to get more difficult.

As a movie lover, it feels like film is at a really strange turning point right now. It reminds me of where the music industry was about twenty years ago – everything feels chaotic and uncertain. It’s like being stuck on an elevator where every floor is a disaster! So much of what I used to adore about movies seems to be disappearing, even though the core of what makes them special is still incredibly powerful. Honestly, I find my stress melting away and my imagination really taking off when I focus on creating stories that aren’t dependent on the traditional film industry, even though it’s still my biggest passion.

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After a nine-year break from releasing albums, a powerful emotion drew her back to music with “Flowers For Men.” Becoming a mother in 2016 and raising her son led her to consider the hidden emotions of men, inspiring her to write songs about their inner worlds.

Malone, who was raised by two mothers, jokingly said he always felt like he wanted to be the father figure. He became the primary financial provider for his family at a young age, but becoming a parent himself was a completely new experience. He found himself reflecting on his own father and grandfather, and the relationships they had, wanting to see his partner with the same wonder and innocence he remembered from childhood.

“Flowers For Men” came from a genuine interest in the pressures men face, the negative things that affect them, and their hopes for a better life. To realistically portray a male perspective, the author knew she needed to write in a different voice.

The album’s most striking feature is how Malone manipulates her vocals. She has a naturally beautiful voice – soft and close, with a touch of classic country rock – but she heavily alters it with digital effects, creating a sound reminiscent of late 2000s R&B, as if it were being played in the desert.

The music creates a strange but compelling blend, bringing a modern sense of sadness to the track “Barstow.” It follows a song structure similar to those by Townes Van Zandt, but with a hazy, distorted quality. “Create In Your Name” evokes the mood of a Billie Eilish song, with heartfelt lyrics that feel intensely personal. “Disaster Zones” relies on atmospheric soundscapes, and the album ends with a stunning rendition of John Prine’s beloved song, “Angel From Montgomery.”

Malone expressed her delight with a song that begins with the line, ‘I’m an old woman,’ noting that it’s incredibly liberating as a female songwriter. She feels it breaks down barriers and allows her creative freedom. She specifically highlighted John Prine as a significant influence deserving recognition, stating he’s among many men who’ve inspired and positively impacted her work.

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The simple act of acknowledging men’s positive qualities became a central theme for her new album, feeling surprisingly rebellious in today’s world. This also led her to examine her own relationships and what she wanted from them. As she adjusted to motherhood, she explored ideas like relationship anarchy – the idea that connections don’t need to be ranked – and ethical nonmonogamy. Books like “Sex at Dawn” opened her eyes to different ways of relating to others, suggesting these paths could be even more satisfying.

This role didn’t seem like a big departure for the actress who famously played the unconventional Lydia Bennet in “Pride and Prejudice.”

For years, I bought into the idea that the biggest, most romantic love meant putting your partner on a pedestal – it’s a trope we see all the time in movies. But becoming a mother has completely shifted my perspective. I’m realizing that self-love is foundational, and a fulfilling life needs more than just a romantic partner. I need my own passions, work that feels meaningful, and strong connections with family and friends. It’s become clear to me that a life built around just one love – even a romantic one – just isn’t sustainable or fulfilling.

“Flowers For Men” explores a complex idea: loving men fully while still prioritizing oneself. This theme resonated with the author, especially as she recently became engaged to actor Jack Buckley.

She’s still figuring out how to perform the album live, and she’s inspired by the Dead City Punx’ approach of putting on shows in hidden, unexpected places around Los Angeles. She thinks as the city changes, she might find a unique spot – like a quiet park or a run-down bar – that feels right for these unusual songs, which are both sad and optimistic.

Post Malone wants people to be surprised and maybe even a little unsettled when they experience his art. He explained that he wants to create something unexpected, where people don’t know how to react because it challenges their expectations. He imagines someone walking into a bathroom and being caught off guard by a woman singing to them – that’s the kind of impact he’s aiming for.

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2026-05-08 18:32