Manna : ‘Some Girls/Some Boys’
Released: September 21st 2009
Label: Unsigned
Manna sent down from musical heaven? Maybe not, but that is not to say that there aren’t encouraging signs from this Parisian born Finn. And it is not just her nationality that is an interesting sounding hybrid. Heavy reliance on the features of 80s electro is a trademark of her sound and the likenesses to Blondie do surface when listening to her forthcoming single. However, it is too easy to dismiss her as just another interpretation of what Ladyhawke has brought to the table.
Strident drum beats and guitar hooks interplay with the synthesised sound and along with her punchy vocals make it more of an electro-pop piece than the trippy electro-indie that her Kiwi contemporary delivers. The electronic sound is always there and is undeniably her main source of inspiration. Metallic interludes and some sort of electric organ flitter around the track creating a mish-mash of sound. It is perhaps in this respect that she doesn’t necessarily fulfil the talent that her voice suggests. The song is such a mix that the samey vocals jar and become tired by the end of the track. Another drawback to what Manna offers is that there are already many, too many similar artists out there who seem to have a monopoly on the charts. Lady Gaga has the pop arena covered, Ladyhawke the indie crowd, and La Roux is dotting between the two. ‘Exhausted medium’ goes little way to describing what effect this sound is having to me.
2/5
Words: John Elmes
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