Monsieur Mellow, the new solo project of Australian songwriter/producer Callum MacDonald, returns with a new single ‘Slow Down’, enlisting Sydney artist Taj Ralph for a collaboration that leans into feel, flow and restraint.
Following the release of debut track ‘Paris Strut’, ‘Slow Down’ continues to shape the sonic world of Monsieur Mellow into a space that Callum has been building quietly alongside his work as a core member of R&B/soul project daste. With the band currently developing new material for a 2026 release, the solo project has become an outlet for ideas that feel instinctive, groove-led and refreshingly unforced.
Built around warm rhythms and subtle swing, ‘Slow Down’ finds its stride through Taj Ralph’s smooth vocal delivery and relaxed cadence, bringing an added sense of personality and ease to the track. The collaboration came together organically, driven by mutual creative trust and a shared sense of atmosphere rather than over-planning.
Reflecting on the track, Monsieur Mellow explains: “After I locked in the sound of the project with Paris Strut, everything just started flowing. I went on a bit of a run, making track after track that all lived in the same world and felt completely natural to me. It’s hard to pin down exactly what that sound is, but Slow Down came together only a few days after that first track. I took a similar approach, experimenting with a handful of sampled vocals that all sounded great, but something was missing and I felt it was still lacking in originality. Around that time, I’d been listening to Taj a lot after my bandmate Tyler Harden put me onto his music. One morning, while making coffee and listening to Taj’s track Lay Lo, I realised he’d be the perfect voice for this song. I sent him the instrumental that day, and not long after he got back to me saying he was down to try something. I gave him total freedom creatively, with the only suggestion being that a triplet-style rap moment could feel really vibey. He sent his ideas back pretty quickly, and from there everything fell into place. He absolutely finessed the energy of the track, and I knew straight away we had something special.”
Taj Ralph adds; “When Callum reached out to me with the beat I was living in London, writing and immersing myself deeply in such a vibrant music scene. Callum’s funk gave me the perfect excuse to bring that energy out and into the track. I wrote about love and good times with new people.”
‘Slow Down’ reinforces Monsieur Mellow as a project rooted in momentum and intuition, where tracks are shaped by mood, movement and collaboration, rather than strict rules or expectations.
Praise
“Yes, yes and YES. Vibes are unreal and I never want this to end” ~ Claire Mooney (Triple J)
“This just might be my favourite discovery of the week. Head over heels for Monsieur Mellow” ~ Anika Luna (Triple J)
“This track just took me to a happier place” ~ Andy Gav (Triple J)
“I’m digging this record, thanks for sharing! Thinking of spinning it on my radio show this Thursday night” ~ Tyler Bourdreaux (KCRW)
Stream/Watch:
Credits:
Co-Written by Callum MacDonald & Taj Ralph
Produced by Callum MacDonald
Mixed by Callum MacDonald
Mastered by Paul Blakey
Artwork by Callum MacDonald
Visuals by Callum MacDonald
Photos by Photos by Lauren Whitehill
Monsieur Mellow:
https://linktr.ee/monsieurmellow
Taj Ralph:
