EP REVIEW: Mantha – Odd Circus
What do you get if you cross saxophones, drums, and electronic sounds? The answer is ODD CIRCUS. Hailing from Washington DC and Orlando, Florida, the three piece group consists of saxophonist Graham Robertson, drummer Partin Whitaker, and bassist/sound engineer Crews Carter. This EP follows on from their cult smash debut album, Lunatic Children, released in 2019. This new EP is comprised of improvisations recorded live. Question is, is it enough to follow the success of their debut album?
Kicking off with the short fifteen second intro, Dybbuk, Mantha demands your attention. The distorted electronic sounds, the song leads right into Gezora. The second song is a frenzy of drums, electronic beats, and drums that get faster and faster each minute. It’s a true roller-coaster of music. The drums and electronic beats are the true winner here. They blend into each other seamlessly, whilst also managing to stay distinct enough so that it is easier to tell which instrument is playing.
Amarok is situated halfway through the album. This is unfortunately not a good song on the EP. The saxophone has been mixed in with the electronic sounds to create an ear-screeching racket. The drums are hastily thrown in there however, they get lost in the noise. It’s a shame because up until now, the songs have been consistent in their pacing and their sound. Amarok does neither of these things. It is loud, brash, and ruins the flow of the EP. Now, not all the songs have to sound the same; that would be boring. However, this song is so jarring, it takes the listener out of the experience. Thankfully, it slows down in the end, and oddly enough, it turns itself around and improves at the last second, just as it transitions into Wendigo.
The fourth song on the EP, Wendigo, is a vast improvement. It has toned down everything that made the previous song unlistenable; the saxophone is slower, the electronic elements sound more natural and the drums get their time to shine. Unfortunately, the song is short, so it gets lost in the EP.
Venadek is a fun jazz-influenced number which is easy to listen to. The instruments do not feel overwhelming or stifling. The electronic techno beats that are mixed with the sax and the drums carry the song well. The pacing of the song is mid-tempo and it does not affect the pacing of the EP overall.
In conclusion, the Mantha EP is not for everyone. It is sometimes jarring and loud. It’s brash and in-your-face. It’s not middle-of-the-road or easy listening. However, that’s what makes it stand out. The uniqueness of the different songs is intriguing, apart from the third song, which is a bit of a lost cause. However, despite this anomaly, there is something for everyone on this fascinating EP.
Rating: 6/10
Mantha is out now via Good Idea Music.
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