Manatree is an indie rock band from Richmond, Virginia that has had something of a revolving line-up since its inception in 2010. Beginning life as a project between longterm friends Jack Mayock, Jack Oliver, Noma Illmensee and Tristan Fisher, the band put out a debut album before replacing Oliver with Alex Elder. Later, Illmensee and Fisher left too, leaving Manatree as the newly-formed duo of Mayock (vocals/guitar) and Elder (percussion).
The shape-shifting nature of the lineup might account for the Manatree sound too, with elements of indie and math rock fleshed out by polished pop tones in the mould of Sylvan Esso and even more experimental electronic artists such as Oneohtrix Point Never. As such, the band manage to be both fun and energetic without sacrificing complexity, forming a distinctive aesthetic that proves accessible yet surprisingly deep.
After the self-titled album that was released in 2015, this July saw Manatree put out their sophomore record, Engines. The album displays the full range of Manatree’s influences, ranging from the frenetic math-inspired ‘Fragments’ to the restrained emotion of the title track, which is based far more within the folk realm. Which is to say nothing of the loose confidence of rock songs ‘Too Close to the Fire’ and ‘Backwards’, the almost acapella ‘Staying Up’ or grand dream pop of opener ‘Brushfire’ and its closing reprise.
We’re happy to share a brand new video for ‘Brushfire’. Directed and produced by Henry Sho Kellam (Mikan Media) and starring Anna Chah, the video plays on the rising ambiance of the song, the bright hopeful notes of the opening matched with the dawning of a new day. The lyrical side of the track tends toward a contemplative mood that borders on mournful, though the instrumentation and video both utilize this toward a more mindful and affirming end, a shedding of complications and human folly, fleeing the ordered noise of civilization in favour of a return to a wilder peace.
Engines is out now and you can get it now from the Manatree Bandcamp page.