Mano Le Tough - Trails: slow-burning, smouldering, low-key sounds

Trails
    
Artist: Mano Le Tough
Genre: Electronic
Label: Permanent Vacation

Wicklow man Niall Mannion's debut album Changing Days was always eager to gently direct the listener towards a groove.

Here, though, Mannion seems to have turned his head towards catching and reflecting what’s going on beyond the dancefloor.

The sounds are slow-burning, smouldering and low-key for the most part and there’s a melancholic wistfulness at play throughout as Mannion creates finely honed atmospheric banks.

When the producer gets the textures and tones right, as in the title track or Half Closed Eyes, there's much to appreciate within the jam.

READ MORE

Yet all too often, Mannion seems to run out of road and ideas and doesn't quite maintain the drama or momentum for the entire track, leading to moments which promise much but don't deliver in the end as in Generations.

@manoletoughOpens in new window ]