To coincide with the anniversary of John Lennon’s debut solo release from 1970 – John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band – Chicago’s MANCHO has recrafted the playlist, offering up a creatively fresh tribute, and a surprisingly poignant, once again topically relevant collection of tracks.
Isolation is a fine example of that history repeating feel. MANCHO’s take welcomes in a reverb-soaked, dreamlike shoegaze aura, and distant, equally dreamy vocals from ShanBot, resulting in a hypnotic and increasingly emotive soundscape and song.
Rising up from simple ambient beginnings, further layers of detail and intensity slowly but surely fill up the outer levels, ultimately forming a wholly immersive, cinematic experience, which truly starts to find its groove and addictive rhythm just before the half-way mark.
The sound feels all at once nostalgic and fresh, conceptually relevant to a tumultuous 2020, and perfectly in keeping with the original creative expression intended by Lennon.
The whole thing is a powerful reminder of the connection between struggle and great art, great music, and draws you in well for an album of similarly engaging, impressive sound design and performance.
‘We’re afraid of everyone, afraid of the sun… Isolation…’
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