Dreampop, Electronica & Jazz Mix On Merak's 'Manic Mode'
19 July 2023
Merak, the Goa-based sibling duo of Belinda and Brandon Mendes, explore different states of mind with their new EP 'Manic Mode' and, in accordance with the title, offer a quick (though cohesive) jumping between styles.
The syncopation-driven compositions with guitar and bass runs intermingling with synth and vocal layers of the opener 'Happy Pill' start things at the confluence of jazz and electronica that the duo has embodied in their work so far. However, things only start to work strongly when the 4-track release ventures into fresher grounds – especially on the dub-influenced 'Up High' which features contributions from MadStarBase and David Marston.
Though overplaying the hand in its latter half, Shreyas Iyengar-featuring 'Jaded' also benefits from its exploration of the intensity of rock, before the track 'Left Brain', which borrows tricks from acts like Gorillaz, adds the final colours to a dynamic and rich EP.
Listen to 'Manic Mode' below and follow Merak for more.