Download: Manicorn – “Renee”

(from their self-titled, self-released album out now)

“Prostitutes”— a song in which Eilam Wolman sings alone to an unplugged Gibson Les Paul recorded onto a Walkman—was well-received on KXLU during their annual fund drive a couple weeks ago, but only when I got the album did I hear track one, “Rescue.” Thus, with a hollered “I’ve come to rescue you!” L.A. oddity Manicorn began our relationship. And I like being saved! After having Manicorn on repeat for a week, my pity party of an existence is all right, because I’m young, moody, and yearn for that new shit. Listening to Manicorn is like putting on a Cheetah Girl suit and some busted Chucks, then plopping onto a body rocket and aimlessly jetting through a big city beneath thousands of crisp constellations too powerful to be affected by light pollution. The vocals bring to mind the Wicked Witch of the West playing the Smell. Some cuts have dry drums or a kazoo here and there, while others have pleasantly incoherent and partially cuckooed lyrics over spacey synths. Here comes “Ooh What Do I Do,” a rad, up-tempo tune that will bob your head right off your body. “Some Kind of Idiot” testifies like a wigged-out preacher: “Spread love like a spatula/life is spectacula/like Dracula!” And Manicorn finishes it up with “Something About You,” a minute-and-a-half of quality understated lo-fi dance punk. Witches and warlocks, Manicorn’ll have you on the floor all right. Melting! Melting! Oh, what a world. What a world…

-Laura Wight