Bruises to Prove It Maleena

18-year old Pittsburgh-based singer/songwriter, Maleena, released her debut album on all major digital music  platforms. Bruises to Prove It features six sweet and sentimental tracks that take the listener on a youthful journey through teen life's myriad emotions.

"It's a lifelong dream come true to release my first album," said Maleena, who started planning all of the steps of the writing, recording and release process back in August 2018. "I wrote 21 songs in preparation for this day and am so excited to finally share the best of them with the world!"

Bruises to Prove It's leadoff track, "I Can't Find You," was recorded at Real Life Music Camp – a program for young musicians led by Liz Berlin, a founding member of the triple-platinum recording artists, Rusted Root. Berlin can be heard contributing backing vocals on the track.

The album's release comes on the heels of Maleena's recent victory in the nationwide Hall of Personal Expression (H.O.P.E.) contest, sponsored by Robbie's Hope Foundation. Maleena's previously-released single, "Don't Forget Me," was selected as the top entry in the contest's Music category.

Though the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic doesn't allow for planning much in the way of in-person performances, Maleena plans on connecting with her audience in the immediate future by continuing to make music videos and livestreaming on social media.

"Instead of viewing the lack of concerts as a barrier, I see the alternatives as a huge opportunity," she says. "I am a new artist with a new album, so my future is filled with nothing but possibilities to connect with people who can relate to my songs."

About Maleena

Maleena began her musical career in 2010, in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. She has been involved in numerous musical groups, ranging from the hard rock band, Chip & The Charge Ups, to Pittsburgh Youth Chorus of Pittsburgh.

Maleena has been performing her own songs in shows that feature singersongwriters since 2017. She has been writing music for the entirety of her life and finally made a breakthrough in her music career with the release of "Uninvited" in 2019.

Maleena and her music have been extensively featured on television programs such as Pittsburgh Today Live, radio stations such as Western Pennsylvania's Q92.9FM and 97.7FM The Rock Station, and print media such as the Beaver County Times. Her song "Don't Forget Me" was selected as the winner of the music category in the nationwide 2020 Hall of Personal Expression (H.O.P.E.) contest, sponsored by Robbie's Hope Foundation.